Brother Super Ace 2 Manual

							19
1
4Hold the end of the thread, push the bobbin 
down with your finger, and then pass the 
thread through the slit, as shown.
5Reattach the bobbin cover. Put the left tab in 
place (see arrow 1), and then press lightly on 
the right side (see arrow 2) until the cover 
clicks into place.
 Replace the cover so that the end of the 
thread comes out from the left side of the 
cover (as shown by the line in the 
illustration).
Lower Threading (for models 
equipped with a quick-set bobbin)
This feature is only available on certain models.
2
1
●Winding the bobbin improperly may cause 
the thread tension to loosen, breaking the 
needle and resulting in injury.
1Wound evenly
2Wound poorly
●The bobbin was designed specifically for 
this sewing machine. If bobbins from other 
models are used, the machine will not 
operate correctly. Use only the enclosed 
bobbin or bobbins of the same type 
(part code: SA156, SFB (XA5539-151)).
●Be sure to turn off the power. If you 
accidentally step on the foot controller 
and the machine begins to operate, injury 
could result.
CAUTION
12
Actual size
This model Other models 11.5 mm
(7/16 inch)
CAUTION
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20
1Follow steps 1 and 2 from “Lower Threading”.
2Put the bobbin in, feed the end of the thread 
through the slit, and then pull the thread to cut it.
 Only use bobbins that were designed to be 
used with this machine.
1Cutter
 Make sure that the thread is correctly 
inserted through the tension-adjusting spring 
of the bobbin case. If it is not inserted, re-
insert the thread.
1Tension-adjusting spring3
Reattach the bobbin cover. Put the left tab in 
place (see arrow 1), and then press lightly on 
the right side (see arrow 2) until the cover 
clicks into place.
 You can begin sewing immediately without 
drawing up the bobbin thread. If you want to 
draw up the bobbin thread before you start 
to sew, follow the procedure in “Drawing up 
the Lower Thread” (page 24).
●Make sure you set the bobbin so the thread 
unrolls in the right direction. If the thread 
unrolls in the wrong direction, it may cause 
the thread tension to be incorrect or break 
the needle.
CAUTION
1
1
2
1
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							21
1
Upper Threading
1Spool pin
2Thread guide (back)
3Thread guide (front)
4Thread take-up lever
5Mark on the handwheel
1
IMPORTANT:
Raise the presser foot using the presser foot 
lever.
1Presser foot lever
2
Raise the needle to its highest position by 
turning the handwheel toward you 
(counterclockwise) so that the mark on the 
handwheel points directly up.
 If the needle is not correctly raised, the 
sewing machine can not be threaded. 
Be sure to turn the handwheel so that 
the mark on the wheel points up before 
threading the sewing machine.
3Pull up the spool pin and put a spool of thread 
on this pin.
4Feed the upper thread as shown in the 
illustration above. Pass the thread through 
both thread guides: the back one first, and 
then the front one.
5Make sure you guide the thread through the 
thread take-up lever from right to left.
1Thread take-up lever
●Make sure you thread the machine 
properly. Otherwise, the thread could 
tangle and break the needle. 
CAUTION
1
●If the spool of thread is in the wrong 
place, or is set incorrectly, the thread 
may tangle on the spool pin and cause 
the needle to break.
CAUTION
1
1
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22
6Put the thread behind the guide above the 
needle.
 The thread can easily be passed behind 
the needle bar thread guide by holding 
the thread in your left hand, then 
feeding the thread with your right hand.
1Needle bar thread guide
7
IMPORTANT:
Thread the needle from front to back leaving a 
thread tail of about 5 cm (2 inch).
 If your sewing machine is equipped with a 
needle threader, use the needle threader to 
thread the needle (see next section).
15 cm (2 inch)
Note
●If the thread take-up lever is lowered, the 
upper thread can not be wrapped around 
the thread take-up lever. Make sure you 
raise the presser foot lever and the thread 
take-up lever before you feed the upper 
thread.
●If you incorrectly feed the thread you may 
cause sewing problems.
Using the Needle Threader (for models 
equipped with a needle threader)
This feature is only available on certain models.
1Turn the power off and lower the presser foot 
lever.
2Raise the needle to its highest position by 
turning the handwheel toward you 
(counterclockwise) so that the mark on the 
handwheel points directly up.
1Needle holder
2Needle threader lever
Note
●When you use the needle threader, make 
sure the needle holder is in the highest 
position, otherwise the hook may be 
damaged.
3While lowering the needle threader lever, 
hook the thread onto the guide.
1Needle holder
2Needle threader lever
3Guide
1
1
2
3
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							23
1
4Pull down the needle threader lever as much 
as possible, and then turn the lever toward the 
back of the machine (away from you). Make 
sure that the hook passes through the eye of 
the needle and grabs the thread.
1Hook
2Thread
 Hold the thread in front of the needle to 
make sure that the hook grabs it.
5While lightly holding the thread, turn the 
needle threader lever toward the front of the 
machine (toward you). The hook will pull the 
thread through the needle.
6Raise the needle threader lever and pull out 
about 5 cm (2 inch) of thread through the 
needle toward the back of the sewing 
machine.
112
●The needle threader can only be used 
with home sewing machine needles size 
75/11-100/16. Check the table on page 
26 for the appropriate needle and thread 
combinations. If you are using 
transparent nylon mono-filament thread, 
you can only use needles in the range of 
90/14-100/16.
●You can not use the needle threader if 
you are using decorative threads or 
special needles, such as the twin needle 
and wing needle.
When using these needles or threads you 
will need to thread the needle by hand. 
Make sure the main power switch is off 
when threading.
CAUTION
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24
Drawing up the Lower Thread
1While lightly holding the end of the upper 
thread, slowly turn the handwheel toward you 
(counterclockwise) by hand to lower and then 
raise the needle.
2Pull on the upper thread to draw up the lower 
thread.
3Pull out about 10 cm (4 inch) of both threads 
and put them toward the back of the machine 
under the presser foot.
1Upper thread
2Lower thread
■Quick-set Bobbin Threading
This is only available on certain models.
You can begin sewing immediately without 
drawing up the bobbin thread. When sewing 
gathers or darts, you can draw up the lower 
thread by hand so that some thread will be left 
over. Before you draw up the lower thread, put 
the bobbin back in.
1Pass the thread along the slit in the direction 
of the arrow, and leave it there without 
cutting it. 
 The bobbin cover should still be removed.
2Draw up the lower thread as described in the 
previous steps
 1 to 3.
3Replace the bobbin cover.
Sewing with a Twin Needle
We have designed your machine so you can sew 
with this needle and two top threads. You can use 
the same color or two different colors of thread for 
making decorative stitches. 
1
2
●Use only twin needles that have been 
made for this machine (part code: 
X57521-021). Other needles could break 
and damage the machine.
●When using the twin needle, make sure 
the stitch width is not set above 3 since 
this may cause the needle to hit the 
needle plate and break.
●Make sure that the needle does not strike 
the presser foot.
●Do not sew with bent needles. The 
needle could break and injure you.
●When using the twin needle, make sure 
you use the zigzag presser foot only.
CAUTION
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							25
1
■Attaching the Twin Needle
Attach the twin needle in the same way as a 
single needle (see page 8). The flat side of the 
needle should face toward the back and the 
rounded side should face toward you.
■Attaching the Extra Spool Pin
Put the extra spool pin in the hole on the top of 
the machine. Put the second spool of thread onto 
the extra spool pin.
■Twin Needle Threading
You should thread each needle separately.
1Thread the left needle.
Follow the same instructions for threading a 
single needle (see page 21).
2Thread the right needle.
Thread the right needle in the same way that 
you threaded the left needle using the thread 
from the spool on the extra spool pin, but do 
not pass the thread through the guide above 
the needle before you pass it through the eye 
of the right needle.
1Left needle thread passes through the needle bar 
thread guide
2Right needle thread passes in front of the needle 
bar thread guide
3Needle bar thread guide
Note
Models Equipped with a Needle Threader
●You can not use the needle threader to 
thread the twin needle. Instead, thread the 
twin needle by hand, from front to back. 
Using the needle threader may damage the 
machine.
Thread Tension
The tension of the thread will affect the quality of 
your stitches. You may need to adjust it when you 
change fabric or thread.
Memo
●We recommend that you do a test sample 
on scrap of a fabric before you start to sew.
■Correct Tension
Correct tension is important as too much or too 
little tension will weaken your seams or cause 
puckers on your fabric.
1Surface of fabric
2Back of fabric
3Upper thread
4Lower thread
5Loops appear on surface of fabric
6Loops appear on back of fabric
■Upper Tension is too Tight
Loops will appear on the surface of the fabric.
Solution
Reduce the tension by turning the upper 
tension control dial to a lower number.
■Upper Tension is too Loose 
Loops appear on the back of the fabric.
Solution
Increase the tension by turning the upper 
tension control dial to a higher number.
2 3
1
12
3
4
12
3
4
5
435
12
3
4
6
435
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26
FABRIC, THREAD, AND NEEDLE COMBINATIONS
Memo
●For clear nylon thread, always use needle 90/14 - 100/16.
●You can also use the same thread for the bobbin thread and upper threading.
Fabric TypeThreadSize of NeedleTypeSize
Medium 
weight
fabrics
BroadclothCotton
60
–80
75/11–90/14TaffetaThread synthetic 
mercerized
Flannel,
GabardineSilk or silk 
finished50–80
Lightweightfabrics
Lawn, BatisteCotton
60
–80
65/9–75/11GeorgetteThread synthetic 
mercerized
Challis, SatinSilk
50–80
Heavyweightfabrics
DenimCotton
30–50
90/14–100/16
CorduroyThread synthetic 
mercerized
50
TweedSilk
Stretch
fabricsJersey
Thread for knits
50–60Ball point needle(golden colored)75/11–90/14Tricot
For top stitchingThread synthetic 
mercerized
30 90/14–100/16
Silk
●
Make sure you follow the needle, thread, and fabric combinations listed in the table. 
Using the wrong combination, such as heavyweight fabric like denim with a small needle
(65/9-75/11), may bend or break the needle. The wrong combination may also cause the seam
to be uneven, the fabric to pucker, or the machine to skip stitches.
CAUTION
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							27
2
STRAIGHT AND ZIGZAG STITCHING
Please Read Before Sewing
Straight Stitching
*
Turn the stitch width dial to adjust the needle 
position. Setting the dial to 5 selects the left 
needle position; setting the dial to 0 selects the 
right needle position.
■Starting Sewing
1Turn the pattern selection dial to choose the 
stitch number you want. You also need to set 
the pattern selection dial to the Straight Stitch 
or Triple Stretch Stitch. 
2Raise the needle to its highest position and lift 
the presser foot lever.
3Pull the upper thread though the toes of the 
presser foot.
4Put the fabric under the presser foot and 
position the needle 1 cm (3/8 inch) from the 
edge of the fabric.
5Lower the presser foot.
6To back tack, push down the reverse sewing 
lever as far as possible, and then press the foot 
controller to start reverse sewing. Release the 
foot controller to stop sewing.
7Release the reverse sewing lever and start 
sewing in the forward direction by pressing 
the foot controller.
 You can use reverse sewing for locking the 
end of seams and to strengthen a stitch. ●
To avoid being injured, watch the needle carefully while you are using the machine. Keep 
your hands away from moving parts. 
●Do not stretch or pull the fabric during sewing, otherwise the needle may be damaged and 
you may be injured.
●Do not use bent or broken needles, otherwise you may be injured.
●Take care that the needle does not hit basting pins or other objects during sewing. The needle 
may break and you may be injured.
●Always use the correct presser foot. If you use the wrong presser foot, the needle may hit the 
presser foot and bend or break and you may be injured.
●When you turn the handwheel by hand, always turn it toward you (counterclockwise). 
Turning it the other way may cause the thread to tangle and damage the needle or fabric, and 
you may be injured.
CAUTION
Stitch NamePattern
Stitch 
Length
[mm (inch)]Stitch 
Width
[mm (inch)]
Straight Stitch1-4
(1/64-3/16)
5-0*
(3/16-0)
Triple Stretch 
Stitch Fixed
2.5 (3/32)
 Fixed
2.5 (3/32)
●Make sure the needle does not hit a pin 
or any other object during sewing. The 
thread could tangle or the needle could 
break, and you may be injured.
CAUTION
2
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28
■Changing Sewing Direction
1Stop the machine at the point where you want 
to change direction with the needle still in the 
fabric.
2Raise the presser foot and turn the fabric to its 
new direction using the needle as a pivot.
3Lower the presser foot and start sewing in the 
new direction.
■Finishing Sewing
You can use stitching to lock the threads at the 
end of the seam or to strengthen a stitch.
1Stitch to the end of the seam and stop.
2Push the reverse sewing lever and stitch 
backwards for 1 cm (3/8 inch) from the end of 
the fabric.
■Removing the Material from the Machine
1Stop the machine.
Raise the needle to its highest position and 
make sure that the thread take-up lever is also 
in its highest position.
2Lift the presser foot and pull the fabric out 
gently to the left hand side.
3Cut both threads with the thread cutter on the 
left hand side of the machine
.
1Thread cutter4
To prepare the machine for the next seam, 
pull about 10 cm (4 inch) of thread through 
the toes of the presser foot toward the back of 
the machine.
■Top Stitching and Stretch Materials
You can use a straight stitch for top stitching and 
sewing lightweight fabrics.
You can use a triple stretch stitch for sewing 
stretch fabrics.
Zigzag Stitching
■Zigzag Stitch
Turn the pattern selection dial to the Zigzag 
Stitch, and then start sewing. 
We recommend that you sew using the Straight 
Stitch at the beginning and end of zigzag stitches.
(This acts as a reinforcement stitch.)
■Satin Stitch
Setting the Zigzag Stitch length in the “F” range 
produces a satin stitch (close zigzag stitch). The 
Satin Stitch can be used for making buttonholes 
and decorative stitches. Set the pattern selection 
dial to the Zigzag Stitch, set the stitch length in 
the “F” range, and set the stitch width dial 
between 0 and 5.
Stitch NamePattern
Stitch 
Length
[mm (inch)]Stitch 
Width
[mm (inch)]
Zigzag StitchF-4
(1/64-3/16)0-5
(0-3/16)
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