SEWING MACHINE PQ1500 OPERATION MANUAL
“IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS” “Read all instructions before using.” When using a sewing machine, basic safety precautions should always be taken, including the following: DANGER – To reduce the risk of electric shock. ● The sewing machine should never be left unattended while plugged in. Always unplug the sewing machine from the electrical outlet immediately after using and before cleaning. ● Always unplug before changing the light bulb.
CONGRATULATIONS ON CHOOSING A BROTHER SEWING MACHINE Your machine is the home use sewing machine available. To fully enjoy all the features incorporated into it, we suggest that you study this booklet. PLEASE READ BEFORE USING YOUR SEWING MACHINE For safe operation ● Be sure to watch the needle while sewing. Do not touch moving parts such as the balance wheel, thread take-up or needle while the machine is operating.
CONTENTS Names of Parts Before You Begin Changing Needles and Light Bulb Threading Stitch Changing Samples and Needle Chart Presser Feet Stitch Samples and Needle Chart .................................. 11 Stitch Samples ........................................................ 11 Thread Tension ....................................................... 11 Changing Presser Feet ................................................... 12 Changing Presser Feet ...........................................
Accessories 3 4 5 6 7 8 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 SA506 Trouble Shooting Note Foot controller: Model N5V This foot controller can be used for sewing machine model PQ1500.
Names of Parts CONTENTS Accessories Thread Guide Bar (Page 7) Pressure Adjustment Dial (Page 4) Presser Foot Lifter (Page 4) Changing Needles and Light Bulb Indicator Lamp Reverse Stitch Lever (Page 3) Thread Cutter Button (Page 5) Power Socket (Page 3) Spool Pin (Page 7) Feed Dog Adjustment Knob (Page 5) Air Vents Caring for Your Machine Knee Lift (Page 4) Spool Cushion (Page 7) Basic Sewing Foot Controller Jack (Page 3) Tension Dial (Page 3 and 11) Stitch Changing Samples and Needle Chart
Before You Begin (1) Hand Wheel ● Position needle using hand wheel. Loosen Tighten ✽ Always turn hand wheel towards you. Hand Wheel Before You Begin Tension Block Stitch Length Regulator ● Adjust desired stitch length using stitch regulator dial. Note 1 7 6 3 5 ● Flip power switch to “I” position to turn on. ● To switch power off, flip switch to “O” position. ● Sewing in reverse is possible when the reverse stitch lever is in the lowered position.
Pressure Adjustment Dial ● Lowering the presser foot lift lever lowers the sewing foot down onto the fabric and engages the tension function. ● Turning the pressure adjustment dial raises and lowers the pressure indicator needle. See also: “Feed Dog Adjustment Knob” on page 5. Names of Parts Presser Foot Lift Lever Pressure indicator needle Threading ● Using the convenient knee lift enables you to lift the presser foot easily leaving your hands free to work with the fabric.
Before You Begin (2) Feed Dog Adjustment Knob ● Height of feed dogs can be adjusted to coincide with fabric weights. Note Names of Parts When the machine stops due to jammed threads and so forth, do not step on the foot controller until turning the power off and moving the needle with the hand wheel to check the situation. Otherwise broken needles could result.
Changing Needles and Light Bulb Changing Light Bulbs Before You Begin 1 Turn off power. Screwdriver 2 Remove screw from head. Screwdriver 6 Attach new feed pin to feed pin changer, lower and attach while holding spring with fingertip. 7 Remove screwdriver. 8 Re-attach needle plate, needle and presser foot. 4 Unscrew bulb and remove. 5 Screw in new bulb. Sewing Light: See page 19. 6 Re-attach bulb housing and tighten screw. Stitch Changing Samples and Needle Chart Presser Feet 3 Remove bulb housing.
Threading (1) Note Spool Cushion Do not move bobbin stop while machine is running. CONTENTS Accessories Bobbin Winding Spool Cap 2 3 Names of Parts 1 1 Put spool of thread on spool pin. ✽ Use spool cap when using parallelwound thread. Threading 4 - 9: See following illustrations. Thread Notch 2 Stitch Changing Samples and Needle Chart Presser Feet Thread Notch 1 2 Bobbin Bobbin Winder Shaft 1 5 Press bobbin stop up against empty bobbin.
CONTENTS Accessories Names of Parts Bobbin Stop * Place the thread end so that it does not protrude from the bobbin. 8 Manually move bobbin stop back to original position. 9 Cut thread and remove bobbin. Changing Needles and Light Bulb Bobbin Insertion 7 Stop winding when bobbin is full. Take foot off foot controller. Threading CAUTION – Moving parts – To reduce risk of injury, switch off before servicing. Replace cover.
Threading (2) Please turn power is off before using automatic needle threader. Accidentally stepping on the foot controller during this operation could cause bodily injury or damage to the machine. 1 Upper Threading 7 1 6 7 2 4 Names of Parts 8 6 4 23 9 0 3 ✽ When using polyester thread or thread that tangles or breaks, run the thread through all three holes of the thread guide.
Thread #30 #11 #30 #14 #30 #16 #20 #50 #60 Names of Parts #9 ● The automatic needle threader cannot be used with the threadneedle combinations illustrated in the chart to the left. Transparent nylon thread can be used regardless of the chart, providing the needle used is a #14 or #16. CONTENTS Accessories Needle (HLX5) Before You Begin Changing Needles and Light Bulb 6 Pull loop to the right.
Stitch Samples and Needle Chart Adjust needle thread tension with dial Correct thread tension Wrong side of fabric Lower Thread Fabric Right side of Fabric Upper Thread Upper Thread Bobbin tension . . . Lower Thread to increase needle thread tension to reduce bobbin tension Proper When it is strong Adjust needle thread tension with dial Wrong side of fabric Lower Thread to reduce needle thread tension Upper Thread Bobbin tension . . .
Changing Presser Feet ✽ Make sure the power is off before changing presser feet. Changing Presser Feet (Zipper Foot) ● 1/4” Foot For quilt and patchwork piecing with 1/4” or 1/8” seam allowance. ● Quilting Foot Spring action foot for darning, quilting or free-motion embroidery. ● Walking Foot For sewing or quilting on fabrics which stick or tend to slip Useful for sewing multiple layers as in quilting. Basic Sewing ● Invisible Zipper Foot Use to attach concealed fasteners.
Basic Sewing (1) ✽ When changing sewing directions. Finish Sewing. Begin sewing. Before sewing. Reinforcement stitches 1 cm CONTENTS Accessories Basic Sewing Names of Parts Before You Begin 1 cm 2 Lower foot. 3 While needle is pierced all the way through fabric, step gently on foot controller. ✽ At the beginning of a seam, sew a few stitches with the hand wheel, hit the reverse stitch button and sew a few stitches back to reinforce your seam, then go back to normal sewing and finish the seam.
Basic Sewing (2) CONTENTS Accessories Note Make sure power is off before changing feet. Rolled Hem Foot 1 Attach rolled hem foot. ✽ Refer to page 12 for instructions on changing sewing feet. 0.5 cm Changing Needles and Light Bulb Threading Stitch Changing Samples and Needle Chart Presser Feet 6 Pull gently on threads in left hand while sewing the first 3-4 stitches to hold them in place. 7 Fold hem over about 0.5 cm and continue feeding folded hem under foot while sewing.
Basic Sewing (3) CONTENTS Accessories Note 5 Sew zipper onto fabric along mark. • Make sure power is off before changing feet. • When attaching zippers to stretch fabrics, use the pin feed method and adjust foot pressure accordingly. Zipper Foot Before You Begin 1 Attach zipper foot. 2 Turn hand wheel to lower needle and adjust position of foot to needle. Names of Parts Make sure the needle does not strike the metal part of the zipper when sewing. The needle may break and cause injury.
● Sewing machine settings: Stitch length = 2 - 2.5 Base of Opening Slide Seam allowance (1/4”, 6.4 mm) • Sew a consistent seam allowance (1/4”, 6.4 mm) when piecing together a quilt. Names of Parts 1 Attach invisible zipper foot. 2 Align zipper with fabric. Mark the base of the opening approximately 2 cm above the end of the zipper. 1/4” Foot Teeth • Use guides (mark) to begin, end, or pivot 1/4” from edge of fabric. Align this mark with edge of fabric Seam (1/8”, 3.
Note Secure the capscrew 2 with a screwdriver. Changing Needles and Light Bulb Threading Stitch Changing Samples and Needle Chart Presser Feet Basic Sewing 1 Insert the forked part of the operation lever while raised in an upright position onto the screw as shown and then insert the capscrew. 2 Tighten the screw securely with a screwdriver. Tightening adequately is important as the screw might loosen due to the foot and forked operation lever vibration.
Separator Fabric Separator 1 Tighten the screw securely with a screwdriver since it might otherwise loosen due to vibration. 1 Threading Separator Velvets To be able to adjust the position of the foot towards the arrow. Basic Sewing 7 When not using separator, it can be swung off to the side as illustrated in drawing.
Caring for Your Machine CONTENTS Accessories Cleaning the Machine Lubrication Points ● Oil the machine approximately once per month. Note Make sure power is off before cleaning sewing machine. 1 Turn machine off. 2 Remove foot. 3 Remove needle plate. Names of Parts ✽ Use a cloth to wipe the machine clean of any oil spilled near the lubrication points. Before You Begin ✽ Thread scraps can be swept out through the bobbin door. 0 – 7 mm 34.1 mm 64.
Trouble Shooting ✽ Before taking your sewing machine in for service, check the following chart. Bobbin Thread Breakage Bobbin thread is not passing correctly from bobbin case. Reinsert bobbin properly. 8 Sewing Machine Doesn’t Run Needle is bent, or tip is dulled. See chart on p.11 to choose the needle that best fits your 11 fabric-thread combination. Change needles. Threading is incorrect. Wrong needle for the fabric and thread you are using. Upper thread tension is too high. Rethread machine.
ENGLISH 116-635 193635-0061 Printed in Japan
