Fabric is Caught in the Machine and Cannot be Removed
If the fabric is caught in the machine and cannot be removed, the thread may have become tangled under the needle plate. Follow the procedure described below to remove the fabric from the machine. If the operation cannot be completed according to the procedure, instead of attempting to complete it forcefully, contact your nearest Baby Lock retailer.
Removing the Fabric from the Machine
Immediately stop the machine.
Turn off the machine.
Remove the needle.
If the needle is lowered into the fabric, turn the handwheel away from you (clockwise) to raise the needle out of the fabric, and then remove the needle.
Refer to “Changing the Needle”.
Remove the presser foot and presser foot holder.
If the thread is entangled on the presser foot, remove the entangled thread, and then raise the presser foot lever to remove the presser foot. Otherwise, the presser foot may be damaged.
Refer to “Changing the Presser Foot”.
Lift up the fabric and cut the threads below it.
If the fabric can be removed, remove it. Continue with the following steps to clean the race.
Remove the needle plate cover.
Cut out the tangled threads, and then remove the bobbin.
Remove the bobbin case.
If the fabric could be removed, continue with step 11.
If the fabric could not be removed, continue with the following steps.
Insert the screwdriver into the hole on the needle plate and push to detach the plate.
Slightly lift up the needle plate from the left side, cut any tangled threads, and then remove the needle plate.
Remove the threads from the needle plate and around the feed dogs.
If the fabric cannot be removed, even after completing these steps, contact your nearest Baby Lock retailer.
Remove any threads and clean the race and the surrounding area.
Insert the bobbin case and then attach the needle plate.
Refer to steps 9 to 11 of “Cleaning the Race”.
Check the condition of the needle, and then install it.
If the needle is in a poor condition, for example, if it is bent, be sure to install a new needle.
Refer to “Changing the Needle”.
Checking Machine Operations
- If the needle plate has been removed, check machine operations to confirm that installation has been completed correctly.
Turn on the machine.
Select Straight stitch (Middle).
Do not yet install the presser foot and thread.
Slowly turn the handwheel toward you (counterclockwise), and look from all sides to check that the needle falls at the center of the opening in the needle plate.
- Opening in the needle plate
- Handwheel
If the needle or feed dogs contact the needle plate, the machine may be malfunctioning; therefore, contact your authorized Baby Lock retailer.
Turn off the machine, and then install the bobbin and presser foot.
Never use a scratched or damaged presser foot. Otherwise, the needle may break, or sewing performance may suffer.
Refer to “Installing the Bobbin” and “Changing the Presser Foot”.
Correctly thread the machine.
For details on the machine, refer to “Upper Threading”.
The thread may have become tangled as a result of incorrect upper threading. Make sure that the machine is correctly threaded.
Perform trial sewing with normal fabric.
Incorrect sewing may be the result of incorrect upper threading or sewing thin fabrics. If there are poor results from the trial sewing, check the upper threading or the type of fabric being used.