Owner’s manual
This household sewing machine is designed to comply with IEC/EN 60335-2-28 and UL1594. IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS When using an electrical appliance, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the following: Read all instructions before using this household sewing machine. DANGER – To reduce the risk of electric shock: • A sewing machine should never be left unattended when plugged in.
Congratulations! Congratulations on purchasing your new PFAFF® sewing machine. As a sewing enthusiast, you have acquired a machine that features the very latest in both design and technology, enabling you to transform your creative ideas into reality. Before you start, please spend some time reading this owner’s manual. You will soon discover how to maximize the use of your machine. Our authorized PFAFF® dealer will of course also be pleased to advise you as well.
Introduction Introduction Machine overview 1 19 2 18 3 4 4 16 17 10 11 5 6 7 12 13 14 8 9 15 Front side 1. Lid with stitch overview 11. Presser foot lift 2. Threading slots 12. Needle screw 3. Thread cutter 13. Needle thread guide 4. LED lights 14. Presser foot bar and presser foot holder 5. Built-in needle threader 15. Presser foot 6. Buttonhole lever 16. Free arm 7. Needle bar 17. Accessory tray 8. Stitch plate 18. Handwheel 9. Bobbin cover 19.
Top parts 20. Presser foot pressure dial 20 21 22 23 24 Introduction 21. Thread guides 22. Spool caps 23. Hole for auxiliary spool pin 24. Bobbin winder lever and bobbin spindle 25. Take-up lever 26. Thread tension discs 27. Thread tension dial 25 26 27 28 29 28. Bobbin winder tension disc 29. Bobbin thread cutter 31 Rear side 30. Main switch, connectors for power cord and foot control 31. Handle 32. Presser foot lift 33. IDT™ system 32 33 34.
Presser feet Introduction Standard presser foot 0A with IDT™ system (shown as in the display, attached on the machine upon delivery) This foot is used mainly for straight stitching and zigzag stitching with a stitch length longer than 1.0 mm. Fancy stitch foot 1A with IDT™ system (shown as in the display) This foot is used for decorative stitches. The groove on the underside of the foot is designed to flow smoothly over the stitches.
Stitch overview Stitch No. Name 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Introduction Direct selection - utility stitches = Engage IDT™ system Description Straight stitch For seaming and topstitching. Select from 29 different needle positions. Note: This stitch makes a stronger tie-off than stitch 17. Stretch triple straight stitch Reinforced seam. Topstitching. Zigzag stitch Reinforce seams, clean finish, stretch sewing, lace insertion. Zigzag stitch Reinforce seams, clean finish, stretch sewing.
Stitch No. Name Linen buttonhole Buttonhole for blouses, shirts and linen. Standard buttonhole Basic buttonhole for blouses, shirts and jackets. Also for pillowcases. 09 Rounded buttonhole with lengthwise tack Buttonhole for garments. 10 Eyelet buttonhole with lengthwise tack Tailors buttonhole for jackets and trousers. Rounded buttonhole Buttonhole for light garments or jackets. Stretch buttonhole Buttonhole for stretch fabrics. 13 Button sewing Sew on buttons or tacking.
Sewing techniques stitches Stitch = Engage IDT™ system No. Name Description For sewing on pearls, beads etc. Requires optional Beading Foot. (Part number 820605-096) Beading stitch, 2-4mm For sewing on pearls, beads etc. Requires optional Beading Foot. (Part number 820604-096) Candlewicking Create the look of hand embroidered French knots. Requires optional Candlewicking Foot w/IDT™ system. (Part number: 820613-096.) Candlewicking Create the look of hand embroidered French knots.
Introduction
Preparations Unpacking 1. Place the box on a steady, flat surface. Lift the machine out of the box, remove the outer packaging and lift off the machine carrying case. 2. Remove all outer packing material and the plastic bag. Preparations Note: Your PFAFF® ambition essential™ sewing machine is adjusted to provide the best stitch result at normal room temperature. Extreme hot and cold temperatures can affect the sewn result.
Free arm To use the free arm, slide off the accessory tray. When attached, a hook keeps the accessory tray securely attached to the machine. Remove the tray by sliding it to the left. Preparations Leveling the machine base plate To make sure your machine stands steadily on your sewing surface you can adjust the base plate height. Turn the base plate adjusting screw (A) by hand. Turn clockwise to lower and counter-clockwise to raise the base plate.
Vertical position Raise the spool pin to the vertical position. Slide on the large spool cap and place a felt pad under the thread spool. This is to prevent the thread from reeling off too fast. A Do not place a spool cap on top of the spool pin as that would prevent the spool from rotating. Auxiliary spool pin The auxiliary spool pin is used when winding a bobbin thread from a second spool of thread or for a second spool when sewing with a twin needle. Main spool pin in vertical position.
Needle threader The needle threader allows you to thread the needle automatically. The needle must be in its highest position to use the built-in needle threader. Press the needle up/down button to make sure the needle is fully raised. We also recommend lowering the presser foot. Preparations 1. Use the handle to pull the needle threader all the way down. The threader hook (F) swivels through the needle eye. 2. Place the thread from the back over the hook (G) and under the thread hook (F). 3.
A B D 1. Place the thread spool on the spool pin in horizontal position. Slide a spool cap tightly against the spool. 2. Place the thread into the thread guide (A) from back to front. Pull the thread clockwise around the bobbin winder tension disc (B). 3. Thread through the hole in the bobbin (C) from the inside to the outside. 4. Place an empty bobbin on the bobbin spindle. 5. Push the bobbin lever to the right to wind. The bobbin winding icon (E) appears on the LCD screen.
Inserting the bobbin 1 2 Preparations Make sure that the needle is fully raised and the machine is turned off before inserting or removing the bobbin. Open the bobbin cover by pushing the release button to the right (A). Remove the cover (B). 1. Insert the bobbin in the bobbin case with the thread running in a counterclockwise direction. 2. Pull the thread through the slit (C). 3.
Presser foot pressure The presser foot pressure has been pre-set to the standard value ”N”. In most cases, you do not need to adjust the presser foot pressure. When using specialty techniques, or when sewing on very light or heavy fabric, adjusting the pressure can improve the result. For very light fabrics, loosen the pressure by turning the dial counterclockwise. Note: If the dial is turned counterclockwise too much, it could come off.
Needles The sewing machine needle plays an important role in successful sewing. Use only quality needles. We recommend needles of system 130/705H. The needle package included with your machine contains needles of the most frequently used sizes. Preparations Universal needle (B) Universal needles have a slightly rounded point and come in a variety of sizes. For general sewing in a variety of fabric types and weights.
Changing the needle 1. Use the hole in the multi-purpose tool to hold the needle. 2. Loosen the needle screw. Use the screwdriver if necessary. 3. Remove the needle. 4. Insert the new needle, using the multi-purpose tool. Push the new needle upwards with the flat side away from you until it will go no further. 5. Tighten the needle screw as tight as it will go. Preparations Lowering feed dogs You can lower the feed dogs by moving the switch at the back of the free arm to the left.
Buttons 8 6 Preparations 4 2 3 5 7 9 10 11 1 Reverse (1) For permanent reverse, press the button before starting to sew. An icon on the LCD display will indicate that reverse is activated (see next page). The icon will be visible and the machine sews in reverse until you press the button again to cancel. If you press the reverse button while sewing, the machine sews in reverse for as long as you keep the button pressed. Reverse is also used when sewing the darning stitch.
Stitch selection (11) In direct selection mode press one of the 0 to 9 buttons to select the stitch represented by that number. In pattern mode and alphabet mode press a combination of the 0 to 9 buttons to select the stitch represented by that number. LCD display 12. Direct selection mode 13. Selected stitch 14. Reverse sewing 15. Auto-lock activated 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Preparations The sewing machine LCD display gives you recommendations and information about current settings.
Sewing When the machine is turned on it is set to direct selection mode. Straight stitch is selected by default. Sewing mode - overview 1. Selected stitch number 2. Presser foot recommendation 3. Stitch length 4. Stitch width/stitch positioning 5. Needle position 6. Needle stop position 6 5 1 Direct 2 3 Note: If the presser foot recommendation shows +, an optional presser foot is required for the selected stitch. See stitch table on page 9 for details about the sewing techniques stitches.
Stitch width/stitch positioning (4) A Use “+” and “-” to increase or decrease the stitch width. For straight stitches, use “+” and “-” to move the stitch position left or right. When a straight stitch is selected, the needle position (A) icon appears on the display to show that stitch positioning is active instead of stitch width. As you change the stitch position the needle position icon on the display will change accordingly.
Sewing techniques Three-step zigzag stitch Direct selection stich number 5 can be used to overcast raw edges. Make sure the needle pierces the fabric on the left side and overcasts the edge on the right side. Stich number 5 can also be used as an elastic stitch to allow seams to stretch when sewing knit fabrics. Buttonholes Your machine’s buttonholes are specially adjusted for different kinds of fabric and garments. Look at the stitch table on page 8 in this book to find descriptions of each buttonhole.
Corded buttonhole (Stretch fabrics) When sewing buttonholes in stretch fabrics we recommend cording the buttonhole to increase the stability and to keep the buttonhole from stretching out. 1. Loop a piece of heavy thread or pearl cotton over the finger at the back of the buttonhole foot 5B. Pull the thread tails under the foot, toward the front, then secure around the finger at the front of the foot. 2. Stitch a buttonhole. The satin buttonhole columns will stitch over the cord. 3.
Darning and mending Darning a small hole or a tear before it becomes larger can save a garment. Choose a thread in a color as close to your garment as possible. 1. Place fabric or stabilizer in position under the hole or tear in your garment. 2. Select stitch number 15, the darning stitch. 3. Start sewing above the hole and over it. 4. Once you have sewn across the hole, press the reverse button to set the length of the stitch. Your sewing machine will automatically complete the stitch. 5.
Quilting A quilt usually consists of three layers, two layers of fabric with a layer of batting sandwiched between. To sew three layers together, you have a wide variety of stitches and techniques to choose from. Stitch-in-the-Ditch Use the Fancy stitch foot 1A with IDT™ system. Stitching in the ditch means using the guide on the presser foot to follow the seams in the quilt blocks. Begin by pin basting your quilt through all layers with safety pins, starting from the center of your quilt and working out.
Blindhem Sewing The blindhem stitch number 01 (pattern selection) is used to make invisible hems on skirts, trousers and home decorating. Use foot number 3 with IDT™ system. 1. Finish the edge of the hem. 2. Fold and press the hem allowance to the wrong side. 3. Fold the hem back on itself so approximately 3/8” (1 cm) of the finished edge extends beyond the fold. The wrong side of your project should now be facing up. 4.
Sewing techniques stitches Stitches number 94 to 99 on your PFAFF® ambition essential™ sewing machine require the use of optional presser feet. This is indicated with a “+” next to the presser foot symbol on the display. See stitch table on page 9 for more information about the sewing techniques stitches and which optional foot that is required for each stitch.
Sequencing The sequencing function on your machine makes it possible to combine stitches and letters into sequences. You can add up to 30 stitches and letters in the same sequence. All stitches in your sewing machine can be used for sequencing except for buttonholes, the darning stitch, button sewing and the bartack. Overview 1. Arrow buttons 2. Memory button 3. Delete 4. Auto-lock 5. Mirror side to side 6. Mode button 7. Stitch length 8. Stitch width/stitch position 9.
Step within the sequence All stitches in the sequence are represented by a marking in the lower right corner on the display (11). The marking for the currently selected stitch flashes. Step through the sequence using the left and right arrow buttons (1). The number of the current stitch in the sequence is shown on the display. New stitches will be inserted after the current stitch.
Maintenance Cleaning the machine To keep your sewing machine operating well, clean it often. No lubrication (oiling) is needed. Wipe the exterior surface of your machine with a soft cloth to remove any dust or lint built up. Wipe the screen with a clean, soft and damp cloth. Cleaning the bobbin area Note: Raise the needle, lower the feed dogs and turn off the machine. Remove the presser foot. Push the bobbin cover release button (A) to the right and remove the bobbin cover (B) and the bobbin.
Troubleshooting In this troubleshooting guide you will find solutions to the problems you may have with your machine. For further information please contact your local authorized PFAFF® dealer.
The seam has uneven stitches Is the thread tension correct? Are you using too thick or slubbed thread? Is the bobbin thread evenly wound? Is a correct needle used? Check needle thread tension and the threading. Change the thread. Check bobbin winding. Insert a proper needle correctly, see page 19. The machine does not feed or feeds irregularly Did you thread the machine properly? Check how the machine is threaded.
We reserve the right to change the machine equipment and the assortment of accessories without prior notice, or make modifications to the performance or design. Such modifications, however, will always be to the benefit of the user and the product. Intellectual property PFAFF, AMBITION ESSENTIAL and IDT (image) are trademarks of KSIN Luxembourg II, S.ar.l.
413 35 02-26A • English • InHouse • © 2012 KSIN Luxembourg II, S.ar.l. • All rights reserved • Printed in Germany on environmentally-friendly paper www.pfaff.
