Brother Quattro 3 User Manual

							How to Create Bobbin Work
7
PREPARING FOR BOBBIN WORK
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PREPARING FOR BOBBIN WORK
Required Materials
■Bobbin case and bobbin cover
a Bobbin case (gray)
There is a notch at the location indicated by the 
letter “A”.
a Bobbin cover
There are two small v-shaped tabs on the back of 
the bobbin cover as indicated by the letter “B”.
The tabs help hold the bobbin in place so it does 
not lift up while thick thread is being pulled through.
■Lower thread
We recommend the following types of threads for 
bobbin work.
* When wide ribbon or heavy weight threads are being used, we 
recommend test sewing with and without bobbin case tension 
being applied to see which gives the best stitching results. 
If wide ribbon such as 3.5mm (approx. 1/8 inch) is to be used, 
we recommend that bobbin case tension not be applied. Refer 
to page 312 for more detailed instructions.
■ Upper thread
Sewing machine embroidery thread (polyester 
thread) or monofilament (transparent nylon) thread.
If you do not wish for the upper thread to be visible, 
we recommend using transparent nylon 
monofilament thread or polyester light weight 
thread (50wt. or above) that is the same color as the 
lower thread.
■Needle
Use a needle appropriate for the upper thread and 
fabric being used. Refer to “Fabric/Thread/Needle 
Combinations” on page 69 and “Embroidery Step by 
Step” on page 186.
■Presser foot
Utility stitches or decorative stitches: 
Monogramming foot “N”
Free motion sewing: Free motion quilting foot “C”, 
Free motion open toe quilting foot “O” or Free 
motion echo quilting foot “E”
Embroidery: Embroidery foot “W2” or Embroidery 
foot “W” (optional)
■Fabric
Be sure to sew trial stitches on a piece of scrap 
fabric, which includes the same threads and fabric 
as what is being used in your project.

No.5 or finer hand embroidery 
thread or decorative thread
Flexible woven ribbon
(When embroidering: approx. 2mm 
(approx. 5/64 inch) recommended)
 Fine embroidery ribbon (silk or 
silk-like material) (3.5 mm (approx. 
1/8 inch) or less, recommended)
Note
 Do not use thread heavier than No.5 hand embroidery thread.
 Some threads may not be appropriate for  bobbin work. Be sure to sew trial stitches 
before sewing on your project.
Note
 The sewing results may be affected by the type of fabric used. Before sewing your 
project, be sure to sew trial stitches on a 
piece of scrap fabric that is the same as the 
fabric used in the project. 
						

							PREPARING FOR BOBBIN WORK
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Upper Threading
aInstall a needle appropriate for the upper 
thread and fabric to be used.
For details on installing the needle, refer to 
“CHANGING THE NEEDLE” on page 67.
bAttach the presser foot.
→“CHANGING THE PRESSER FOOT” on page 65
→ “Using Free motion Quilting Foot “C”” on page 116
→ “Using free motion Open Toe Quilting Foot “O”” on 
page 118
→ “Echo Quilting Using the Free Motion Echo Quilting 
Foot “E”” on page 119
→ “Attaching Embroidery Foot “W2”” on page 186
cThread the machine with the upper thread.
For details on threading the machine, refer to 
“Upper Threading” on page 57.
Preparing the Bobbin Thread
In order to create bobbin work, the bobbin case 
must be replaced with the one for bobbin work.
Before creating bobbin work, clean the bobbin case 
and the race.
aRaise the needle and presser foot, and then 
turn off the machine.
bRemove the flat bed attachment or 
embroidery unit.
cGrasp both sides of the needle plate cover, 
and then slide it toward you to remove it.
aNeedle plate cover
dRemove the bobbin case.
a Bobbin case
eUse the cleaning brush included with the 
machine or a vacuum cleaner to remove 
any lint and dust from the race and its 
surrounding area.
aCleaning brush
b Race
fWipe the bobbin case (gray) with a soft lint 
free cloth to clean it.
gInsert the bobbin case so that the  S mark 
on the bobbin case aligns with the  z mark 
on the machine.
* Align the  S and z  marks.
a
b
b
a 
						

							How to Create Bobbin Work
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PREPARING FOR BOBBIN WORK
311
aS mark
b z mark
c Bobbin case
hWind a decorative thread around the 
bobbin by hand. After winding the bobbin 
so it is filled as shown below (about 80%), 
cut the thread.
For precautions on winding the bobbin for 
embroidering, refer to step 
b of “Selecting the 
Pattern” on page 318.
iUsing scissors carefully trim the thread tail 
as close to the bobbin as possible.
a Beginning of wound thread
jInstall the bobbin wound with thread.
Whether or not tension should be applied to the 
bobbin thread depends on the type of thread being 
used.
Note
 The bobbin case (gray) cannot be used for 
sewing in any way other than bobbin work. 
After sewing bobbin work, refer back to the 
steps in “Preparing the Bobbin Thread” on 
page 310 for removing and cleaning the 
bobbin case (gray), and then reinstall the 
standard bobbin case (black).
 CAUTION
 Be sure to use the bobbin case (gray) when 
creating bobbin work. Using any other bobbin 
case may result in the thread becoming 
tangled or damage to the machine.
 Make sure that the bobbin case is correctly  installed. If the bobbin case is incorrectly 
installed, the thread may become tangled or 
the machine may be damaged.
 CAUTION
 Be sure to use the machine’s included bobbin or one designed specifically for this machine. 
Using any other bobbin may result in damage 
or injuries.
* Actual size
a This model
b Other models
c 11.5 mm (approx. 7/16 inch)
Note
 Slowly and evenly wind the thread around 
the bobbin.
 For best results, wind the bobbin so the  thread is snug and not twisted.
 CAUTION
 If thread extends beyond the top of the bobbin 
too much, the thread may become tangled or 
the needle may break. 
						

							PREPARING FOR BOBBIN WORK
312
■When tension is applied to the bob-
bin thread
Insert bobbin into bobbin case so the thread 
unwinds from the left side.
Then correctly pass the thread through the tension 
spring as shown below.
a Tension spring
■When tension is not applied to the 
bobbin thread
If the bobbin thread in the trial stitching is too tight 
and adjusting the bobbin case tension does not help, 
do not pass the thread through the tension spring.
Hold the bobbin with your left hand so the thread 
unwinds from the right side and hold the end of the 
thread with your right hand.
kPull out about 8 cm (approx. 3 inches) of 
bobbin thread.
lLightly hold the end of the upper thread 
while turning the handwheel toward you 
(counterclockwise) until the mark on the 
handwheel aligns with the center top of 
machine.
 CAUTION
 When winding the bobbin, make sure the 
thread is not frayed. Sewing with frayed 
thread may result in the thread catching on 
the tension spring of the bobbin case, the 
thread completely becoming tangled or 
damage to the machine.
 Do not guide the bobbin thread through the  groove in the needle plate cover, otherwise 
the lower threading cannot be done correctly. 
						

							How to Create Bobbin Work
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PREPARING FOR BOBBIN WORK
313
mGently pull the upper thread to bring the 
bobbin thread up through the needle plate.
→A loop of the bobbin thread comes out through the 
hole in the needle plate.
nInsert tweezers through bobbin thread loop 
and pull bobbin thread above the needle 
plate.
oAlign the upper thread and bobbin thread, 
and then pull out about 10 cm (approx. 
4 inches) of the threads and pass them 
under the presser foot toward the rear of 
the machine.
pInstall the needle plate cover and bobbin 
cover with tabs.
For details on installing the needle plate cover, refer to 
“Cleaning the Race” on page 338.
a Bobbin cover
b Bobbin cover with tabs
qInstall the flat bed attachment or 
embroidery unit.
→This completes the upper and lower threading.
 CAUTION
 When creating bobbin work, use the bobbin 
cover with tabs, otherwise the thread may 
become tangled or the needle may break.
Note
 When installing the needle plate cover, do not allow it to pinch the thread.
Note
 When installing the flat bed attachment or 
embroidery unit, do not allow it to pinch the 
thread.
 When the bobbin thread is replaced with a  new one, be sure to repeat the procedure 
from 
a, otherwise the lower threading will 
not be done correctly.
Note
 If utility stitches are to be used, refer to  “CREATING BOBBIN WORK (SEWING)” on 
page 314. If embroidery patterns are to be 
used, refer to “CREATING BOBBIN WORK 
(EMBROIDERY)” on page 318. 
						

							CREATING BOBBIN WORK (SEWING)
314
CREATING BOBBIN WORK (SEWING)
Positioning the Fabric and 
Sewing
aTurn on the machine.
bSelect a stitch in the Utility and Decorative 
Stitches mode. For this example, press  .
cAdjust the upper thread tension.
For details on adjusting the upper thread tension, 
refer to “Setting the Thread Tension” on page 79.
dMake sure the automatic thread cutting 
( ) and automatic reinforcement/
reverse stitching ( ) have been turned 
off.
ePlace stabilizer on top (wrong side) of the 
fabric.
fIf thread is too thick to pull through fabric 
to machine surface use an awl to punch a 
small hole in the fabric at the beginning of 
stitching so the bobbin thread can be fed 
through the opening.
gPress .
→The screen changes, and all keys and operation 
buttons are locked.
Note
 Recommended stitches for bobbin work are 
open “airy” type stitches.
 Be sure to sew trial stitches using same  fabric and threads as project in order to 
check the sewing results.
 The bobbin thread may become tangled due  to the type of pattern and thread that are 
being used. Since this may cause the 
needle to break, immediately stop sewing if 
this occurs. Turn off the machine and cut out 
the tangled thread with scissors. Then, clean 
the race and bobbin case as described in 
“Preparing the Bobbin Thread” on page 310.
Memo
 For best results, select a longer stitch length and a wider stitch width. Depending on the 
selected stitch, it may not be possible to 
change the stitch length and stitch width 
settings.
 Depending on the fabric, bunched stitches  may result. We recommend selecting a 
simple stitch and sewing trial stitches to 
check the sewing results.
Examples of simple stitches: ,  , 
Memo
We recommend a setting between 6 and 8 for the 
upper thread tension.
 CAUTION
 Before sewing, make sure the automatic thread 
cutting has been turned off. If sewing is started with 
automatic thread cutting turned on, the thread may 
become tangled or the machine may be damaged.
Note
 Type and weight of stabilizer will depend on fabric and thread being used. 
						

							How to Create Bobbin Work
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CREATING BOBBIN WORK (SEWING)
315
hUse the presser foot lever to raise the 
presser foot.
iWith the wrong side facing up, place the 
fabric under the presser foot.
aWrong side of fabric
jTurn the handwheel toward you 
(counterclockwise) to feed the needle into 
the fabric or punched hole. Position the 
upper thread over the presser foot and 
lightly hold then, lower the presser foot 
lever.
aPunched hole
b Upper thread over the presser foot
kPulling the upper thread gently, turn the 
handwheel toward you (counterclockwise) 
until the mark on the handwheel aligns with 
the center top of machine.
→A loop of the bobbin thread comes out through the 
hole in the fabric.
lRaise the presser foot lever, and then use 
tweezers to pull up the bobbin thread and 
bring the end of the thread to the top of the 
fabric.
mAlign the upper thread and bobbin thread, 
and then pass them under the presser foot 
toward the rear of the machine.
nWhile gently holding threads at the rear of 
the machine, turn the handwheel to feed 
the needle into the fabric or punched hole 
again, and then lower the presser foot lever.
oPress   at lower right of LCD screen.
→All keys and operation buttons are unlocked, and 
the previous screen is displayed.
Note
 If the bobbin thread does not come up, hold 
the upper thread as shown below to pull up 
the bobbin thread.
a Upper thread
Note
 Pull the thread while holding down the fabric 
so it does not move out of place. 
						

							CREATING BOBBIN WORK (SEWING)
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pSelect a low speed, gently hold the threads 
behind the presser foot and start sewing. 
Threads can be released after several 
stitches have been made.
qWhen you have reached the end of the 
stitching area, stop the machine.
rRaise the needle and presser foot.
sLeaving about 10 cm (approx. 4 inches) of 
thread at the ends, use scissors to cut the 
threads.
a10 cm (approx. 4 inches) 
■Finishing the thread ends
aAt the end of the stitching, use a hand 
sewing needle to bring the bobbin thread 
up to the wrong side of the fabric.
a Wrong side of fabric
b Bobbin thread
bWorking from the wrong side of the fabric, 
tie the bobbin and upper threads together 
by hand. Cut away excess threads with 
scissors.
aWrong side of fabric
b Right side of fabric
cIf the desired results could not be achieved, 
adjust the tension of the bobbin thread and 
of the upper thread, and then try sewing the 
stitching again.
For more details, refer to “ADJUSTING THE 
THREAD TENSION” on page 322.
Note
 Before sewing, check that there is enough 
thread in the bobbin.
Note
 Do not sew reinforcement/reverse stitches at the end of the stitching, otherwise the 
threads may become tangled or the needle 
may break. In addition, it will be difficult to 
pull the bobbin thread up to the wrong side 
of the fabric.
Note
 Do not press the “Thread Cutter” button to cut the threads, otherwise the machine may 
be damaged.
Note
 If it is difficult to place bobbin thread through 
the eye of a hand sewing needle, use a 
ribbon embroidery needle to pull the thread 
up to the wrong side of the fabric. Otherwise, 
use an awl to pull up the bobbin thread.
Note
 To ensure threads do not come undone after being tied place a drop of fabric glue on 
knots. 
						

							How to Create Bobbin Work
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CREATING BOBBIN WORK (SEWING)
317
Bobbin Work Free Motion 
Sewing
If so desired, use a template or draw your design 
on the stabilizer to allow for ease of stitching. 
Remember, your stitches with your decorative 
thread will be on the underneath side of your 
fabric and the stabilizer will be on the top of the 
wrong side of your fabric.
* For bobbin work free motion sewing use the instructions for “CREATING BOBBIN WORK 
(SEWING)” on page 314.
* For information about using the free motion quilting  foot “C”, free motion open toe quilting foot “O”, or 
free motion echo quilting foot “E” refer to “Free 
Motion Quilting” on page 116. 
						

							CREATING BOBBIN WORK (EMBROIDERY)
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CREATING BOBBIN WORK (EMBROIDERY)
Selecting the Pattern
aAttach the embroidery foot “W2” or “W” 
and the embroidery unit.
bInstall a bobbin wound with an adequate 
amount of thread for pattern.
cPull up the bobbin thread above the needle 
plate.
dTurn on the machine.
ePress .
→The carriage will move to the initialization position.
fTo select a bobbin work embroidery 
pattern, press   (Embroidery).
gPress  , then advance to page 10 or 11 
(page numbers are for small thumbnail size) 
of the pattern selection screen for bobbin 
work patterns.
hSelect one of the bobbin work embroidery 
patterns.
Embroidery patterns for bobbin work appear with 
the letter “B” in the lower-left corner of the key.
a“B” mark
→ Regardless of the setting that had been selected, the 
automatic thread cutting function is turned off.
→ When a bobbin work embroidery pattern is selected 
the embroidery sewing speed is automatically set at 
350 spm.
Note
 Prepare the machine for bobbin work as 
described in “PREPARING FOR BOBBIN 
WORK” on page 309.
Note
 For an estimated length of bobbin thread required for each pattern, refer to the Quick 
Reference Guide included with the machine. 
Be sure to use a bobbin wound with enough 
thread. If the bobbin runs out of thread while 
sewing, the embroidery cannot be 
completed.
 Depending on the thread thickness, it may  not be possible to wind the bobbin with the 
necessary length of thread. In this case, try 
winding the bobbin again, or use a lighter 
weight thread.
Note
 Embroidery patterns for bobbin work cannot be used in the embroidery edit screen 
().
Note
 The beginning and end of stitching are specified for bobbin work patterns. They 
cannot be used for normal embroidering.
a