Brother Super Ace 3 Manual

							APPENDIX UTILITY STITCHES SEWING BASICS KNOWING YOUR 
SEWING MACHINE
Operation Manual
Product Code: 885-V67
Sewing Machine
Please visit us at http://solutions.brother.com where you can get product 
support and answers to frequently asked questions (FAQs). 
						

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IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
Please read these safety instructions before attempting to use the machine.
DANGER - To reduce the risk of electric shock:
1Always unplug the machine from the electrical outlet immediately after using, when cleaning, 
when making any user servicing adjustments mentioned in this manual, or if you are leaving the 
machine unattended. 
WARNING - To reduce the risk of burns, fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.
2Always unplug the machine from the electrical outlet when making any adjustments mentioned 
in the instruction manual:
• To unplug the machine, switch the machine to the symbol “O” position to turn it off, then grasp 
the plug and pull it out of the electrical outlet. Do not pull on the cord.
 Plug the machine directly into the electrical outlet. Do not use an extension cord.
Always unplug your machine if the power is cut.
3Electrical Hazards:
 This machine should be connected to an AC power source within the range indicated on the 
rating label. Do not connect it to a DC power source or inverter. If you are not sure what kind of 
power source you have, contact a qualified electrician.
 This machine is approved for use in the country of purchase only.
4Never operate this machine if it has a damaged cord or plug, if it is not working properly, if it has 
been dropped or damaged, or water is spilled on the unit. Return the machine to the nearest 
authorized dealer or service center for examination, repair, electrical or mechanical adjustment.
 While the machine is stored or in use if you notice anything unusual, such as an odor, heat, 
discoloration or deformation, stop using the machine and immediately unplug the power cord.
 When transporting the machine, be sure to carry it by its handle. Lifting the machine by any other 
part may damage the machine or result in the machine falling, which could cause injuries.
 When lifting the machine, be careful not to make any sudden or careless movements, otherwise 
you may injure your back or knees. 
						

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5Always keep your work area clear:
 Never operate the machine with any air openings blocked. Keep ventilation openings of the 
machine and foot control free from the build up of lint, dust, and loose cloth.
Do not store objects on the foot controller. 
Do not use extension cords. Plug the machine directly into the electrical outlet.
Never drop or insert any object into any opening.
Do not operate where aerosol (spray) products are being used or where oxygen is being 
administered. 
Do not use the machine near a heat source, such as a stove or iron; otherwise, the machine, 
power cord or garment being sewn may ignite, resulting in fire or an electric shock.
Do not place this machine on an unstable surface, such as an unsteady or slanted table, otherwise 
the machine may fall, resulting in injuries.
6Special care is required when sewing:
Always pay close attention to the needle. Do not use bent or damaged needles.
 Keep fingers away from all moving parts. Special care is required around the machine needle.
 Switch the machine to the symbol “O” position to turn it off when making any adjustments in the 
needle area.
Do not use a damaged or incorrect needle plate, as it could cause the needle to break.
Do not push or pull the fabric when sewing, and follow careful instruction when freehand stitching 
so that you do not deflect the needle and cause it to break.
7This machine is not a toy:
 Your close attention is necessary when the machine is used by or near children.
 The plastic bag that this machine was supplied in should be kept out of the reach of children or 
disposed of. Never allow children to play with the bag due to the danger of suffocation.
Do not use outdoors.
8For a longer service life:
 When storing this machine, avoid direct sunlight and high humidity locations. Do not use or store 
the machine near a space heater, iron, halogen lamp, or other hot objects.
 Use only neutral soaps or detergents to clean the case. Benzene, thinner, and scouring powders 
can damage the case and machine, and should never be used.
 Always consult the operation manual when replacing or installing any assemblies, the presser feet, 
needle, or other parts to assure correct installation. 
						

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9For repair or adjustment:
 If the Light unit (light-emitting diode) is damaged, it must be replaced by authorized dealer.
 In the event a malfunction occurs or adjustment is required, first follow the troubleshooting table 
in the back of the operation manual to inspect and adjust the machine yourself. If the problem 
persists, please consult your local authorized Brother dealer.
Use this machine only for its intended use as described in this manual.
Use accessories recommended by the manufacturer as contained in this manual.
The contents of this manual and specifications of this product are subject to change without notice.
For additional product information, visit our web site at www.brother.com
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
This machine is intended for household use.
This appliance is not intended for use by persons (including children) with reduced physical, sensory 
or mental capabilities, or lack of experience and knowledge, unless they have been given 
supervision or instruction concerning use of the appliance by a person responsible for their safety.
Children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.
FOR USERS IN THE UK, EIRE, MALTA AND 
CYPRUS ONLY
IMPORTANT
 In the event of replacing the plug fuse, use a fuse approved by ASTA to BS 1362, i.e. carrying the 
mark, rating as marked on plug.
 Always replace the fuse cover. Never use plugs with the fuse cover omitted.
 If the available electrical outlet is not suitable for the plug supplied with this equipment, you 
should contact your authorized dealer to obtain the correct lead. 
						

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CONTENTS
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS  ............................................................................... 1
 1. KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE ..........................................................6
ACCESSORIES ..................................................................................................................... 6
Included accessories ........................................................................................................................................ 6
Optional accessories  ........................................................................................................................................ 7
Accessory compartment ................................................................................................................................... 7
NAMES OF MACHINE PARTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS .................................................... 8
The main parts  ................................................................................................................................................. 8
Needle and presser foot section  ...................................................................................................................... 9
Operation buttons ............................................................................................................................................. 9
Operation panel .............................................................................................................................................. 10
Spool pin  ........................................................................................................................................................ 10
USING YOUR SEWING MACHINE  ................................................................................... 12
Power supply precautions  .............................................................................................................................. 12
Power supply .................................................................................................................................................. 12
Foot controller  ................................................................................................................................................ 13
Sewing speed controller (for models equipped with the start/stop button) ..................................................... 13
Changing the needle stop position  ................................................................................................................. 13
Changing the initial needle position  ............................................................................................................... 14
Cancelling the operation beep  ....................................................................................................................... 14
THREADING THE MACHINE  ............................................................................................ 15
Winding the bobbin  ........................................................................................................................................ 15
Lower threading  ............................................................................................................................................. 20
Upper threading  ............................................................................................................................................. 23
Drawing up the lower thread  .......................................................................................................................... 28
REPLACING THE NEEDLE  ................................................................................................. 29
Needle precautions  ........................................................................................................................................ 29
Needle types and their uses ........................................................................................................................... 29
Checking the needle  ...................................................................................................................................... 30
Replacing the needle  ..................................................................................................................................... 30
Sewing with the twin needle  ........................................................................................................................... 32
REPLACING THE PRESSER FOOT ...................................................................................... 34
Replacing the presser foot  ............................................................................................................................. 34
Removing the presser foot holder  .................................................................................................................. 35
 2. SEWING BASICS  ...........................................................................................36
SEWING ............................................................................................................................ 36
General sewing procedure  ............................................................................................................................. 36
Selecting a stitch  ............................................................................................................................................ 37
Adjusting the stitch length and width  .............................................................................................................. 38
Starting to sew  ............................................................................................................................................... 39
Thread tension  ............................................................................................................................................... 41
USEFUL SEWING TIPS  ...................................................................................................... 42
Trial sewing  .................................................................................................................................................... 42
Changing the sewing direction  ....................................................................................................................... 42
Sewing curves  ................................................................................................................................................ 42
Sewing thick fabrics  ....................................................................................................................................... 42
Sewing hook-and-loop fastener  ..................................................................................................................... 43
Sewing thin fabrics  ......................................................................................................................................... 44
Sewing stretch fabrics  .................................................................................................................................... 44
Stitching cylindrical pieces  ............................................................................................................................. 44 
						

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 3. UTILITY STITCHES  ........................................................................................45
OVERCASTING STITCHES  ................................................................................................ 45
Using zigzag foot ............................................................................................................................................ 45
Using overcasting foot .................................................................................................................................... 46
BASIC STITCHING  ............................................................................................................ 47
Basic stitching  ................................................................................................................................................ 47
BLIND HEM STITCHING  .................................................................................................. 48
BUTTONHOLE SEWING  ................................................................................................... 51
Button sewing ................................................................................................................................................. 55
ZIPPER INSERTION  ........................................................................................................... 57
SEWING STRETCH FABRICS AND ELASTIC TAPE  ............................................................ 59
Stretch stitching .............................................................................................................................................. 59
Elastic attaching  ............................................................................................................................................. 59
APPLIQUÉ, PATCHWORK AND QUILT STITCHING ........................................................ 61
Appliqués ....................................................................................................................................................... 62
Patchwork (crazy quilt) stitching ..................................................................................................................... 62
Piecing ........................................................................................................................................................... 62
Quilting ........................................................................................................................................................... 63
Free-motion quilting  ....................................................................................................................................... 64
REINFORCEMENT STITCHING  ......................................................................................... 66
Triple stretch stitching  .................................................................................................................................... 66
Bar tack stitching  ............................................................................................................................................ 66
DECORATIVE STITCHING  ................................................................................................ 68
Fagoting ......................................................................................................................................................... 69
Scallop stitching  ............................................................................................................................................. 70
Smocking ....................................................................................................................................................... 70
Shell tuck stitching  ......................................................................................................................................... 71
Joining ............................................................................................................................................................ 71
Heirloom stitching ........................................................................................................................................... 72
SEWING CHARACTERS (for models equipped with character stitches)  ............................ 73
Selecting characters ....................................................................................................................................... 73
Checking characters  ...................................................................................................................................... 75
Deleting characters  ........................................................................................................................................ 75
Sewing the character stitches  ........................................................................................................................ 76
ADJUSTING STITCHES (for models equipped with character stitches)  ............................. 77
 4. APPENDIX .....................................................................................................79
STITCH SETTINGS ............................................................................................................. 79
Utility stitches  ................................................................................................................................................. 79
Mirror image stitches  ...................................................................................................................................... 85
Character stitches (for models equipped with character stitches) .................................................................. 88
MAINTENANCE ................................................................................................................ 89
Restrictions on oiling  ...................................................................................................................................... 89
Precautions on storing the machine  ............................................................................................................... 89
Cleaning the machine surface ........................................................................................................................ 89
Cleaning the race  ........................................................................................................................................... 89
TROUBLESHOOTING ....................................................................................................... 92
Frequent troubleshooting topics  ..................................................................................................................... 92
Upper thread tightened up  ............................................................................................................................. 92
Tangled thread on wrong side of fabric  .......................................................................................................... 93
Incorrect thread tension  ................................................................................................................................. 96
Fabric is caught in the machine and cannot be removed ............................................................................... 97
List of symptoms  .......................................................................................................................................... 101
ERROR MESSAGES  .......................................................................................................... 106
Operation beep  ............................................................................................................................................ 106
INDEX ............................................................................................................................. 107 
						

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KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
1KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE
ACCESSORIES
Included accessories
After opening the box, check that the following accessories are included. If any item is missing or damaged, 
contact your dealer.
Note
(For U.S.A. only)
●Foot controller: Model T
This foot controller can be used on the machine with product code 885-V67. The product code is 
mentioned on the machine rating plate.
●The screw of the presser foot holder is available through your authorized dealer. (Part code: 132730-122)
●The included accessories vary depending on the machine model.
Memo
●About zigzag foot “J”;
Press the black button on the left side of the foot when it is difficult for thick seams 
to be fed, for example, at the beginning of sewing thick fabrics. (page 43)
aBlack button
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.
9. 10.
75/11 1 needle
90/14 1 needle
100/16 1 needle
11. 12.
90/14 1 needle
13. 14. 15.
16. 17. 18. 19.
No. Part NamePart CodeAmericasOthers
1
Zigzag foot “J” (on machine)XC3021-031
2 Buttonhole foot “A” XC2691-033
3 Overcasting foot “G” XE6305-101
4 Monogramming foot “N” XD0810-031
5 Zipper foot “I” X59370-021
6 Blind stitch foot “R” XC4051-031
7 Button fitting foot “M” XE2137-001
8 Seam ripper XZ5082-001
9Bobbin (4)
(One is on machine.)SA156SFB: 
XA5539-151
10 Needle set XC8834-02111 Twin needle 131096-121
12Ball point needle 
(gold colored)XD0360-021
13 Cleaning brush X59476-021
14 Disc-shaped screwdriver XC1074-051
15 Spool cap (large) 130012-024
16Spool cap (medium)
(on machine)XE1372-001
17 Spool cap (small) 130013-124
18 Extra spool pin XE2241-001
Foot controller
XD0501-121 (EU area)XC8816-021 (Other areas)19 No. Part NamePart Code
AmericasOthers 
						

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Optional accessories
The following are available as optional accessories to be purchased separately. Depending on the model you 
purchased, the following accessory may be included with your machine.
Accessory compartment
The accessories are stored in a compartment inside the flat bed attachment. Slide the flat bed attachment to the 
left to open it.
aFlat bed attachment
bStorage compartment
Note
●Put the accessories in the bag, and then 
store the bag inside the compartment. If the 
accessories are not in a bag, they may fall 
out, and be lost or damaged.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
No. Part NamePart CodeAmericasOthers
1 Walking Foot SA140F033N:
XC2214-052
2 Quilting Foot SA129F005N:
XC1948-052
3 1/4-Inch Quilting Foot SA125F001N:
XC1944-052
4 Quilting guide SA132F016N:
XC2215-052
5 Eyelet punch XZ5051-001 No. Part NamePart Code
AmericasOthers 
						

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KNOWING YOUR SEWING MACHINE ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
NAMES OF MACHINE PARTS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS
The illustrations in this operation manual may differ from the actual machine.
The main parts
aBobbin winder (page 15)
This winds the thread onto the bobbin for use as the 
lower thread.
b Upper tension-control dial (page 41)
This controls the tension of the upper thread. 
c Bobbin-winding thread guide and pre-tension disc 
(page 15)
Pass the thread under this thread guide and around the 
pre-tension disc when winding the bobbin thread.
d Thread take-up lever (page 25)
e Thread cutter (page 40)
Pass the threads through the thread cutter to cut them.
f Flat bed attachment with accessory compartment 
(page 7 and 44)
g Operation buttons (page 9)
The operation buttons differ  depending on the sewing 
machine model.
h Operation panel (page 10)
This is used to select the stitch and specify the various 
settings. Design and position of the operation panel 
differs depending on the sewing machine model.
i Spool pin (page 10, 15 and 23)
This holds the spool of thread.
j Handwheel
This is used to manually raise and lower the needle. k
Air vent
This vent allows the air surrounding the motor to 
circulate. Do not cover the air vent while the sewing 
machine is being used.
l Main power and sewing light switch (page 12)
You can turn the main power and sewing light switch 
on and off.
m Jack/socket connector (page 12)
Insert the plug on the power supply cord into the jack/
socket connector.
n Foot controller (page 13)
You can use this to control the sewing speed, and to 
start and stop sewing.
o Foot controller jack/socket (page 13)
Plug in the foot controller plug.
p Feed dog position lever (page 55 and 65)
Use the feed dog position lever to lower the feed dogs.
q Presser foot lever (page 23)
This is used to raise and lower the presser foot.
r Thread guide (page 16 and 25)
This is used when winding the thread onto the bobbin 
and then threading the machine.
s Thread guide cover (page 17 and 23)
Pass the thread under this thread guide when winding 
the bobbin thread and threading the machine.
t Handle
Carry the sewing machine by its handle when 
transporting the machine.