Brother Quattro 3 User Manual

							CARE AND MAINTENANCE
339
Appendix
9
aPress the “Needle Position” button to raise 
the needle.
bTurn the main power to OFF.
cRemove the needle and the presser foot 
holder (see pages 66 through 67).
dRemove the flat bed attachment or the 
embroidery unit if either is attached.
eGrasp both sides of the needle plate cover, 
and then slide it toward you.
aNeedle plate cover
→ The needle plate cover is removed.
fGrasp the bobbin case, and then pull it out.
aBobbin case
gUse the cleaning brush or a vacuum cleaner 
to remove any lint and dust from the race 
and bobbin thread sensor and the 
surrounding area.
aCleaning brush
b Race
c Bobbin thread sensor
hInsert 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 S mark
b z mark
c Bobbin case
Note
 Do not apply oil to the bobbin case.
 If lint or dust collects on the bobbin thread 
sensor, the sensor may not operate cor-
rectly.
a
b
b
a 
						

							CARE AND MAINTENANCE
340
* Make sure that the indicated points are aligned before installing the bobbin case.
iInsert the tabs on the needle plate cover 
into the needle plate, and then slide the 
cover back on.
Cleaning the Cutter in the Bobbin 
Case Area
The cutter below the needle plate should be 
cleaned. If dust or lint accumulate on the cutter, it 
will be difficult to cut the thread when the “Thread 
Cutter” button is pressed or the automatic thread 
cutting function is used. Clean the cutter when the 
thread is not easily cut.
aFollow steps a through e in “Cleaning the 
Race” to remove the needle plate cover.
bUse the screwdriver included with the 
machine to unscrew and remove the needle 
plate.
cUse the cleaning brush or a vacuum cleaner 
to remove any lint and dust from the cutter 
in the bobbin case area.
a Cutter
 CAUTION
 Never use a bobbin case that is scratched; 
otherwise, the upper thread may become 
tangled, the needle may break, or sewing 
performance may suffer. For a new bobbin 
case (part code: XE5342-101 (green marking 
on the screw), XC8167-551 (no color on the 
screw), XE8298-001 (gray, for bobbin work)), 
contact your nearest authorized dealer.
 Make sure that you fit the bobbin case  properly, otherwise the needle may break.
Note
 If the needle plate has been removed it is especially important to reinstall the needle 
plate and tighten the screws prior to 
installing the bobbin case.
 CAUTION
 Do not touch the cutter, otherwise injuries 
may result. 
						

							CARE AND MAINTENANCE
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Appendix
9
dUse the screwdriver included with the 
machine to screw and attach the needle 
plate.
eInsert the tabs on the needle plate cover 
into the needle plate, and then slide the 
cover back on.
About the Maintenance Message
Once this message appears, it is recommended to 
take your machine to an authorized dealer or 
nearest authorized service center for a regular 
maintenance check. Although this message will 
disappear and the machine will continue to 
function once you press  , the message will 
display several more times until the appropriate 
maintenance is performed.
Please take the time to arrange the maintenance 
your machine requires once this message appears. 
Such steps will help to ensure you receive 
continued, uninterrupted hours of machine 
operation for the future. 
						

							ADJUSTING THE SCREEN
342
ADJUSTING THE SCREEN
Adjusting the Brightness of the 
Screen Display
If the screen is not looks very clear under certain 
situation, you can adjust the brightness of the 
screen display.
aPress .
→The Sewing settings screen appears.
bPress .
→The General settings screen appears.
cDisplay 4/8 (page 4 of 8) of the General 
settings screen.
dPress   or   to adjust the brightness of 
the screen display.
* The screen appears dim as the number on the 
settings screen decreases. The screen appears 
brighter as the number increases.
Touch Panel is Malfunctioning
If the screen does not respond correctly when you 
touch a key (the machine does not perform the 
operation or performs a different operation), follow 
the steps below to make the proper adjustments.
aHolding your finger on the screen, turn the 
main power switch to OFF and back to ON. 
→The touch panel adjustment screen is displayed.
bUsing the included touch pen, lightly touch 
the center of each +, in order from 1 to 5. 
 
cTurn the main power to OFF, then turn it 
back to ON.
Note
 Only use the included touch pen to touch the 
screen. Do not use a mechanical pencil, pin, 
or other sharp object. Do not press too hard 
on the screen. Otherwise, damage may 
result. 
Note
 If you finish the screen adjustment and the screen still does not respond, or if you 
cannot do the adjustment, contact your 
authorized dealer. 
+1 +4
+2 +5
+3 
						

							TROUBLESHOOTING
343
Appendix
9
TROUBLESHOOTING
If the machine stops operating correctly, check the following possible problems before requesting service. 
You can solve most problems by yourself. If you need additional help, the Brother Solutions Center offers 
the latest FAQs and troubleshooting tips. Visit us at “ http://solutions.brother.com
 ”.
If the problem persists, contact your dealer or the nearest authorized service center.
Frequent troubleshooting topics
Detailed causes and remedies for common troubleshooting topics are described below. Be sure to refer to 
this before contacting your dealer.
Upper thread is too tight
■ Symptom
* The upper thread appears as a single continuous 
line.
* The lower thread is visible from the upper side of the  fabric. (Refer to the illustration below.)
* The upper thread has tightened up, and comes out  when pulled.
* The upper thread has tightened up, and wrinkles 
appear in the fabric.
* The upper thread tension is tight, and the results do  not change even after the thread tension is adjusted.
a Lower side of fabric
b Lower thread visible from upper side of fabric
c Upper thread
d Upper side of fabric
e Lower thread
■Cause
Incorrect lower threading
If the lower thread is incorrectly threaded, instead of 
the appropriate tension being applied to the lower 
thread, it is pulled through the fabric when the 
upper thread is pulled up. For this reason, the thread 
is visible from the upper side of the fabric.
■Remedy
Correctly install the lower thread.
aTurn off the sewing machine.
bRemove the bobbin from the bobbin case.
cPlace the bobbin in the bobbin case so that 
the thread unwinds in the correct direction.
* Hold the bobbin with your right hand with the 
thread unwinding to the left, and hold the end of the 
thread with your left hand. Then, with your right 
hand, place the bobbin in the bobbin case.
If the bobbin is inserted with the thread unwinding 
in the wrong direction, sewing will be done with 
an incorrect thread tension.
■Upper thread is too tightpage 343
■Tangled thread on wrong side of fabricpage 344
■Incorrect thread tensionpage 346
■Fabric is caught in the machine and cannot be 
removedpage 347 
						

							TROUBLESHOOTING
344
dWhile holding the bobbin in place with 
your finger, pass the thread through the slit 
in the needle plate.
* Hold down the bobbin with your right hand, and then pull the end of the thread around the tab with 
your left hand.
a Tab
b Hold down the bobbin with your right hand.
Pull the thread to pass it through the slit in the 
needle plate, then cut it with the cutter.
cSlit
d Cutter
Sewing with the correct thread tension is possible 
after the bobbin has been correctly installed in the 
bobbin case.
Tangled thread on wrong side of 
fabric
■Symptom
* The thread becomes tangled on the lower side of the 
fabric.
* After starting sewing, a rattling noise is made and  sewing cannot continue.
* Looking under the fabric, there is tangled thread in 
the bobbin case.
■Cause
Incorrect upper threading
If the upper thread is incorrectly threaded, the upper 
thread passed through the fabric cannot be firmly 
pulled up and the upper thread becomes tangled in 
the bobbin case, causing a rattling noise.
■Remedy
Remove the tangled thread, and then correct the 
upper threading.
aRemove the tangled thread. If it cannot be 
removed, cut the thread with scissors.
* Refer to “Cleaning the Race” in “CARE AND 
MAINTENANCE” on page 338.
bRemove the upper thread from the 
machine.
cRefer to the following steps to correct the 
upper threading.
* If the bobbin was removed from the bobbin case, refer to “Setting the Bobbin” on page 54 and 
“Remedy” in the section “Upper thread is too tight” 
on page 343 to correctly install the bobbin. 
						

							TROUBLESHOOTING
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Appendix
9
dRaise the presser foot using the presser foot 
lever.
* If the presser foot is not raised, the sewing machine cannot be threaded correctly.
eRaise the needle by turning the handwheel 
toward you (counterclockwise) so that the 
mark on the wheel points up, or press 
“Needle Position” button once or twice to 
raise the needle.
or
aMark
fWhile holding the thread with both hands, 
pull the thread up from under the thread 
guide plate.
aThread guide plate
gWhile holding the thread in your right 
hand, pass the thread through the thread 
guide in the direction indicated.
hGuide the thread down, up, then down 
through the groove, as shown in the 
illustration.
iPass the thread through the needle bar 
thread guide (marked “6”) by holding the 
thread with both hands and guiding it as 
shown in the illustration.
aNeedle bar thread guide
jThread the needle according to steps j 
and 
o in “UPPER THREADING” on 
page 57.
Memo
• Look in the upper groove area to check if  the thread catches on the take-up lever 
visible inside the upper groove area. 
a Look in the upper groove area 
						

							TROUBLESHOOTING
346
Incorrect thread tension
■Symptoms
• Symptom 1: The lower thread is visible from the upper side of the fabric.
• Symptom 2: The upper thread appears as a straight line on the upper side of the fabric.
• Symptom 3: The upper thread is visible from the lower side of the fabric.
• Symptom 4: The lower thread appears as a straight line on the lower side of the fabric.
• Symptom 5: The stitching on the lower side of the fabric is loose or has slack.
■Cause/remedy
□ Cause 1
The machine is not correctly threaded.

The lower threading is incorrect.
Adjust the upper thread tension and then refer to “Upper Thread is Too Tight” on page 80.

The upper threading is incorrect.
Adjust the upper thread tension and then refer to “Tangled thread on wrong side of fabric” on page 344 to 
correct the upper threading.
□Cause 2
A needle and thread appropriate for the fabric are not being used.
The sewing machine needle that should be used depends on the type of fabric sewn and the thread thickness.
If a needle and thread appropriate for the fabric are not being used, the thread tension will not be adjusted 
correctly, causing wrinkles in the fabric or skipped stitches.
* Refer to “Fabric/Thread/Needle Combinations” on page 69 to check that a needle and thread appropriate for the fabric 
are being used.
□Cause 3
An appropriate upper tension is not selected.
Adjust the upper thread tension to select an appropriate thread tension.
The appropriate thread tension differs according to the type of fabric and thread being used.
* Adjust the thread tension while test sewing on a piece of sc rap fabric that is the same as that used in your project.
* When the lower thread is visible on the upper side  of the fabric. Set the upper thread tension to a lower 
number. (Loosen the thread tension.)
* When the upper thread is visible on the lower side  of the fabric. Set the upper thread tension to a higher 
number. (Tighten the thread tension.)
□Symptom 1 □Symptom 3
a Lower side of fabric
b Lower thread visible on 
upper side of fabric
c Upper thread
d Upper side of fabric
e Lower thread
f Upper thread visible from 
lower side of fabric
Note
• If the upper threading and lower threading are incorrect, the thread tension cannot be adjusted 
correctly, even by adjusting the upper thread tension. Check the upper threading and lower threading 
first, and then adjust the thread tension. 
						

							TROUBLESHOOTING
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Appendix
9
Fabric is caught in the machine 
and cannot be removed
If the fabric is caught in the sewing machine and 
cannot be removed, the thread may have become 
tangled under the needle plate. Follow the 
procedure described below to remove the fabric 
from the machine. If the operation could not be 
completed according to the procedure, instead of 
attempting to complete it forcefully, contact your 
dealer or nearest authorized service center.
■Removing the fabric from the 
machine
aImmediately stop the sewing machine.
bTurn off the sewing machine.
cRemove the needle.
If the needle is lowered into the fabric, turn the 
handwheel away from you (clockwise) to raise the 
needle out of the fabric, and then remove the needle.
* Refer to “CHANGING THE NEEDLE” on page 67.
dRemove the presser foot and presser foot 
holder.
* Refer to “CHANGING THE PRESSER FOOT” on  page 65.
eLift up the fabric and cut the threads below 
it.
If the fabric can be removed, remove it. Continue with 
the following steps to clean the race.
fRemove the needle plate cover.
aNeedle plate cover
gCut out the tangled threads, and then 
remove the bobbin.
hRemove the bobbin case.
If threads remain in the bobbin case, remove them.
a Bobbin case
iUse the cleaning brush or a vacuum cleaner 
to remove any dust or loose threads from 
the race and its surrounding area.
aCleaning brush
b Race
jUse the enclosed disc-shaped screwdriver 
to loosen the two screws on the needle 
plate.
If the fabric could be removed Continue with 
step p.
If the fabric could not be 
removedContinue with 
step 
j.
Note
• Be careful not to drop the removed screws 
in the machine. 
						

							TROUBLESHOOTING
348
kSlightly lift up the needle plate, cut any 
tangled threads, and then remove the 
needle plate.
Remove the fabric and threads from the needle plate.
If the fabric cannot be removed, even after completing 
these steps, contact your dealer or nearest authorized 
service center.
lRemove any threads in the race and around 
the feed dogs.
mTurn the handwheel to raise the feed dogs.
nAlign the two screw holes in the needle 
plate with the two holes at the needle plate 
mounting base, and then fit the needle plate 
onto the machine.
oLightly finger-tighten the screw on the right 
side of the needle plate. Then, use the disc-
shaped screwdriver to firmly tighten the 
screw on the left side. Finally, firmly tighten 
the screw on the right side. 
Turn the handwheel to check that the feed dogs move 
smoothly and do not contact the edges of the slots in 
the needle plate.
a Correct position of feed dogs
b Incorrect position of feed dogs
pInsert the bobbin case so that the  S mark 
on the bobbin case aligns with the  ● mark 
on the machine.
* Align the  S and ●  marks.
a S mark
b ● mark
c Bobbin case
* Make sure that the indicated points are aligned  before installing the bobbin case.
Note
• Be careful not to drop the removed screws in the machine.
 CAUTION
• Never use a bobbin case that is scratched; 
otherwise, the upper thread may become 
tangled, the needle may break, or sewing 
performance may suffer. For a new bobbin 
case (part code: XE5342-101 (green marking 
on the screw), XC8167-551 (no color on the 
screw), XE8298-001 (gray, for bobbin work)), 
contact your nearest authorized dealer.
• Make sure that you fit the bobbin case  properly, otherwise the needle may break.
a
b
b
a