• Never operate the machine with any air openings blocked. Keep ventilation openings of the sewing machine and foot control free from the build up of lint, dust, and loose cloth. • Do not store objects on the foot controller.
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• 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 sewing machine to the symbol “O” position to turn it off when making any adjustments in the needle area.
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FOR USERS IN AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND This sewing machine is not intended to be used by young children, and assistance may be required if used by a person with a disability.
Sewing Machine Features a Easy upper threading Since the spool can be installed at the front of the sewing machine, the upper thread can easily be threaded. In addition, the needle can be threaded with a simple operation (page 28).
Note (For U.S.A. only) Foot controller: Model N5V This foot controller can be used on this machine model NX-450. The screw for the presser foot holder is available through your authorized dealer.
Names of Machine Parts and Their Functions The names of the various parts of the sewing machine and their functions are described below. Before using the sewing machine, carefully read these descriptions to learn the names of the machine parts.
Do not cover the air vent while the sewing machine is being used. e Main power switch Use the main power switch to turn the sewing machine ON and OFF. f Foot controller jack Insert the plug on the end of the foot controller cable into the foot controller jack.
GETTING READY The various preparations required before starting to sew are described in this chapter. Turning the Machine On/Off ...16 Power supply precautions ...16 Turning on the machine ...17 Turning off the machine ...17 Understanding the LCD Screens...18 Changing the Machine Settings ...19 Changing the settings ...19 Adjusting the brightness of the LCD ...21 Changing the screen language ...21...
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — Turning on the machine Prepare the included power cord. Make sure that the sewing machine is turned off (the main power switch is set to “ then plug the power cord into the power supply jack on the right side of the machine.
GETTING READY Understanding the LCD Screens The LCD screen, located on the front at the right of the sewing machine, displays the settings for the selected stitch and error messages if operations are performed incorrectly.When the sewing machine is turned on, the LCD comes on and the following screen appears.
● Only use the bobbin (part code: SA156, SFB(XA5539-151)) designed specifically for this sewing machine. Use of any other bobbin may result in injuries or damage to the machine. ● The included bobbin was designed specifically for this sewing machine. If bobbins from other models are used, the machine will not operate correctly.
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— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — While holding the thread with your left hand, wind the thread that was pulled out clockwise around the bobbin five or six times with your...
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — GETTING READY Remove the bobbin from the shaft. Memo When the sewing machine is started or the handwheel is turned after winding the bobbin, the machine will make a clicking sound; this is not a malfunction.
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— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — Memo The order that the bobbin thread should be passed through the bobbin case is indicated...
Memo The order that the machine should be threaded is indicated by a solid line on the sewing machine. Be sure to thread the machine as indicated. Threading the upper thread Set the spool of thread on the spool pin, and then thread the machine.
Threading the needle This section describes how to thread the needle. Memo The needle threader can be used with sewing machine needles 75/11 through 100/16. Thread with a thickness of 130/20 or thicker cannot be used with the needle threader.
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— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — GETTING READY Lower the needle threader lever on the left side of the machine until it clicks, and then...
Pass the thread through the eye of the needle from the front. • The needle threader cannot be used with the twin needle. If the needle threader is used with the twin needle, the sewing machine may be damaged. Upper Threading 33...
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• The needle threader cannot be used with the twin needle. If the needle threader is used with the twin needle, the sewing machine may be damaged. Attach zigzag foot “J”. • For details on changing the presser foot, refer to “Replacing the presser foot”...
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• To return to single needle sewing, press (Needle mode selection key) until the key is no longer lit. • Even after the sewing machine is turned off, the twin needle setting is not cancelled. CAUTION ● When using the twin needle, be sure to...
CAUTION ● Only use home sewing machine needles. Use of any other needle may bend the needle or damage the machine. ● Never use bent needles. Bent needles can easily break, possibly resulting in injuries.
Needle types and their uses The sewing machine needle that should be used depends on the fabric and thread thickness. Refer to the following table when choosing the thread and needle appropriate for the fabric that you wish to sew.
(“Needle Position” button) once or twice to raise the needle. a “Needle Position” button Turn off the sewing machine. CAUTION turn off the sewing machine, otherwise injuries may occur if (“Start/Stop” button) is accidentally pressed and the machine starts sewing.
● Only use presser feet designed specifically for this sewing machine. Use of any other presser foot may result in injuries or damage to the machine.
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Check that the correct presser foot is attached before starting to sew. If the wrong presser foot is installed, turn off the sewing machine, attach the correct presser foot, and then select the desired stitch again. Buttonhole foot “A”...
When you are finished sewing, reset the dial to 3 (standard). Remove the presser foot holder when cleaning the sewing machine or when installing a presser foot that does not use the presser foot holder, such as the quilting foot. Use the screwdriver to remove the presser foot holder.
■ Removing the walking foot Press twice to raise the needle. a “Needle Position” button The needle is raised. Turn off the sewing machine. Raise the presser foot lever. a Presser foot lever The presser foot is raised. (“Needle Position” button) once or...
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — GETTING READY Sewing Cylindrical or Large Pieces When sewing cylindrical or large pieces of fabric, remove the flat bed attachment.
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Sewing machine bed Note The optional wide table is available through your brother dealer. Turn the screw at the bottom of each leg to adjust their height so the wide table will be level with the sewing machine bed.
SEWING BASICS The necessary preparations for sewing are described in this chapter. Sewing...50 General sewing procedure ...50 Positioning the fabric ...51 Starting to sew ...52 Securing the stitching...54 Cutting the thread ...55 Adjusting the Thread Tension ...57 Changing the tension of the upper thread ...57 Adjusting the Stitch Width and Length ...58 Adjusting the stitch width ...58 Adjusting the stitch length...59...
Position the fabric. Start sewing. Cut the thread. Turn on the sewing machine.For details on turning on the machine, refer to “Turning on the machine” (page 17). ↓ Select the stitch appropriate for the area to be sewn.For details on selecting a stitch, refer to “Selecting stitching”...
Be sure that the fabric pieces are sewn in the correct order and that the right and wrong sides of the fabric are aligned correctly. Turn on the sewing machine. The straight stitch (left needle position) is automatically selected. Press (“Needle Position”...
■ Using the foot controller Sewing can be started and stopped using the foot controller. Turn off the sewing machine. When connecting the foot controller, be sure to turn off the sewing machine in order to prevent the machine from accidentally being started. (“Start/Stop”...
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Foot controller jack Note (For U.S.A. only) Foot controller: Model N5V This foot controller can be used on this machine model NX-450. Turn on the sewing machine. Slide the sewing speed controller to the left or right to select the desired sewing speed.
The machine starts sewing in the normal sewing direction. After sewing to the end of the stitching, the sewing machine stops. Press (“Start/Stop” button) or release foot controller. a Beginning of stitching b End of stitching ■...
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When you wish to finish the stitching and the sewing machine is stopped, press (“Needle Position” button) once to raise the needle. a “Needle Position” button The needle is raised.
For details, refer to “Saving stitch settings” (page 63). The sewing machine can be set so that the stitch width can easily be changed with the sewing speed controller. For details, refer to “Satin stitching using the sewing speed...
Functions useful in improving sewing efficiency are described below. Changing the needle stop position When the sewing machine is purchased, it is set to leave the needle lowered in the fabric when sewing is stopped. However, the machine can be set to instead leave the needle raised when sewing is stopped.
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• To turn automatic reverse/reinforcement stitching off, press reinforcement stitch key) until the key is no longer lit. • When the sewing machine is turned off, the automatic reverse/reinforcement stitching setting is cancelled. Position the fabric under the presser foot, and then press (“Start/Stop”...
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — SEWING BASICS Automatically cutting the thread The sewing machine can be set to automatically cut the threads at the end of the stitching. This is called “programmed thread-cutting”. If programmed thread- cutting is set, automatic reverse/reinforcement stitching is also set.
■ Installing the knee lifter Turn off the sewing machine. Insert the knee lifter into its jack on the front of the sewing machine in the lower-right corner. Align the tabs on the knee lifter with the notches in the jack, and then insert the knee lifter as far as possible.
Changing the sewing direction When the stitching reaches a corner, stop the sewing machine. Leave the needle lowered (in the fabric). If the needle remained up when the machine stopped sewing, press lower the needle.
UTILITY STITCHES The various stitches and their applications are described in this chapter. Selecting Stitching ...70 Selecting stitch types and patterns... 70 Selecting stitching ... 72 Overcasting Stitches... 76 Sewing overcasting stitches using overcasting foot “G” ... 76 Sewing overcasting stitches using zigzag foot “J”...
(page 134). Attach the presser foot. • For details, refer to “Replacing the presser foot” (page 41). Turn on the sewing machine. The straight stitch (left needle position) is shown selected in the LCD. After selecting the stitch mode, select the stitch pattern.
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Check that the correct presser foot is attached before starting to sew. If the wrong presser foot is installed, turn off the sewing machine, attach the correct presser foot, and then select the desired stitch again. Memo For details on adjusting the stitch width and length, refer to “Adjusting the Stitch Width...
Lower the presser foot lever, and then manually thread the needle. • The needle threader cannot be used. If the needle threader is used with the side cutter, the sewing machine may be damaged. Raise the presser foot lever. Stitch Width [mm (inch)]...
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If the side cutter can no longer cut fabric, use a rag to apply a small amount of oil to the cutting edge of the cutter. The optional side cutter is available through your brother dealer. Overcasting Stitches 79...
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — Button sewing Buttons can be sewn on with the sewing machine. Buttons with 2 or with 4 holes can be attached.
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Start sewing. Set the sewing speed controller to the left (so that the speed will be slow). The sewing machine automatically stops after sewing reinforcement stitches. • If additional strength is needed to secure the button, perform the button-sewing operation twice.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — Inserting a side zipper Stitching is sewn on only one piece of fabric.
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When you are about 5 cm (2 inches) from the end of the zipper, stop the sewing machine with the needle lowered (in the fabric), raise the presser foot lever, and then open the zipper and continue sewing.
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— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — When you are about 5 cm (2 inches) from the end of the zipper, stop the sewing machine with the needle lowered (in the fabric), raise the presser foot lever, and then open the zipper and continue sewing.
A decorative stitch can be sewn by changing the stitch width of a satin stitch. If the sewing machine is set so that the stitch width can be adjusted using the sewing speed controller, the stitch width can quickly and easily be adjusted.
• For details on installing a needle, refer to “Replacing the needle” (page 39). • The needle threader cannot be used with the wing needle, otherwise the sewing machine may be damaged. Manually pass the thread through the eye of the needle from the front to the back.
■ Needles and threads When sewing thin, medium weight or stretch fabrics, use the ball point needle. When sewing thick fabrics, use a 90/14 home sewing machine needle. In addition, 75/11 to 90/14 thread should be used. ■ Trial sewing...
Memo Up to 70 patterns can be combined. If multiple patterns have been combined, the sewing machine stops once all the selected patterns displayed in the LCD have been sewn. To repeatedly sew the combined pattern, refer to “Repeat sewing patterns”.
Note If repeated sewing is set, the pattern is repeatedly sewn until the sewing machine is stopped. If the sewing machine is turned off, the repeated/single sewing setting returns to its default setting. Checking the selected pattern Up to 70 patterns can be combined. If all of the...
Saving patterns Combined patterns can be saved for later use. Since saved patterns are not lost after the sewing machine is turned off, they can be retrieved at any time. This is convenient for patterns, such as names, that will be used often.
Sewing the Various Built-In Decorative Patterns 127 Start sewing. The pattern for making the adjustment is sewn. The sewing machine stops after it has finished sewing the pattern. Check the sewn pattern. If the part of the pattern indicated in the illustration is sewn uniformly, the pattern is correctly aligned.
APPENDIX The various maintenance and troubleshooting procedures are described in this chapter. Stitch Settings...134 Utility stitches ...134 Other stitches...138 Care and Maintenance ...142 Cleaning the machine surface...142 Cleaning the race ...142 Troubleshooting ...144 Error messages ...148 Nothing appears in the LCD ...149 Operation beep ...149 Cancelling the operation beep...149 Index ...151...
Turn off the sewing machine. Unplug the power cord from the power supply jack on the right side of the sewing machine. CAUTION ● Unplug the power cord before cleaning the machine, otherwise injuries or an electric shock may occur.
— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — — APPENDIX Error messages (“Start/Stop” button) is pressed before the sewing machine is correctly set up or if an operation is performed incorrectly, an error message appears in the LCD. Follow the instructions that appear. The message will disappear if...
Be sure to check for the cause of the error, and correct it before continuing to sew. Cancelling the operation beep When the sewing machine is purchased, it is set to beep each time an operation panel key is pressed. This setting can be changed so that the machine does not beep.