Free-Motion Quilting/Basting with the Stitch Regulator

The stitch regulator allows free-motion quilting and free-motion basting with a set stitch length. The machine detects how the fabric is being moved and makes adjustments to ensure the set stitch length.

Names of Parts and Their Functions

Replace the presser foot to be used with the stitch regulator, according to your needs.

1. Stitch regulator quilting foot

   Used for general quilting.

2. Stitch regulator open toe quilting foot

   This presser foot enables you to easily check the needle and stitching. Carefully sew, making sure that the fabric does not catch on the tips of the presser foot. Do not use this foot when selecting [Basting mode].

3. Stitch regulator echo quilting foot

   Used for echo quilting. This presser foot is also suitable for sewing furry fabric or fabric with an uneven surface or for sewing different types of fabric together.

4. Presser foot slot
5. Stitch regulator window

   The inner sensor detects fabric movement.

6. Presser foot release button

   Push this toward you to remove the presser foot.

7. Notch in the stitch regulator
8. Connector of the stitch regulator

Attaching the Stitch Regulator and Presser Foot

CAUTION

• Before installing or removing the stitch regulator or replacing the presser foot, be sure to touch to lock all keys and buttons. Unintentional operations such as pressing a button may cause the machine to start operating, resulting in injuries.
• We strongly advise to not use the stitch regulator open toe quilting foot when in [Basting mode], as the possibility of needle breakage is increased.
  

1. Press (Needle position button) to raise the needle.

2. Touch to lock all keys and buttons.

   If the message [OK to automatically lower the presser foot?] appears on the LCD screen, touch [OK] to continue.

3. Raise the presser foot lever.

4. Remove the presser foot and presser foot holder. (Changing the Presser Foot)

5. Prepare the presser foot to be used with the stitch regulator.

6. If the presser foot already attached to the stitch regulator will not be used, slowly push the presser foot release button toward you as far as it will go, and then remove the presser foot after it has been ejected.

   

7. Correctly orient the presser foot, insert it horizontally into the presser foot slot, and then push it in as far as it will go.

   
   1. Presser foot slot
   2. Presser foot

8. Pull the presser foot slightly toward you to check if it is firmly secured. If the presser foot comes out, reinsert it as far as it will go.

   
   CAUTION

   • Make sure that the presser foot is firmly secured. Otherwise, the presser foot may come off or the needle may break, causing injuries.

9. Align the notch in the stitch regulator with the screw on the presser bar, and then firmly tighten the screw.

   

10. Plug the connector of the stitch regulator into the jack on the back of your machine.

    
    • Make sure that the stitch regulator harness does not catch on the presser foot lever.
      

11. Touch to unlock all keys and buttons.

Replacing the Presser Foot with the Stitch Regulator Installed

CAUTION

• When replacing the presser foot, make sure that the needle does not strike your fingers or the presser foot. Otherwise, injuries may result, or the needle or presser foot may become damaged.

1. Press (Needle position button) to raise the needle.

2. Touch to lock all keys and buttons.

3. To replace the presser foot, refer to steps 6 through 8 of Attaching the Stitch Regulator and Presser Foot. After replacing the presser foot, make sure that the thread is not caught in the stitch regulator.

   If the presser foot has been raised, lowering it will make it easier to replace it.

   IMPORTANT

   • If the thread has been caught in the stitch regulator, remove the presser foot, and then reattach it, making sure to avoid the thread.
     
     1. The machine cannot sew if the thread is caught.

4. Touch to unlock all keys and buttons.

Selecting the Stitch Pattern and Stitch Regulator Mode

1. With the Utility Stitch screen displayed, install the stitch regulator onto the machine.

   • When the message appears, touch [OK]. The stitch regulator sewing screen appears.
     • If the stitch regulator was installed with a screen other than the utility stitch screen displayed, touch [Sewing] in the home page screen to display the stitch regulator sewing screen.

2. Touch a key to select the appropriate mode.

   If using the foot controller with any mode, stepping on the foot controller starts sewing when the stitch regulator detects fabric movement. Release the foot controller to stop sewing.
   If using the “Start/Stop” button, pressing the button starts sewing when the stitch regulator detects fabric movement. Press the button again to stop sewing.
   Depending on the selected mode, the machine performs differently when the fabric is not being moved.

   
   1. Intermittent mode:
      Stitches are sewn when the fabric is moved the set length. When the fabric is not being moved, the needle is raised, the machine enters standby, and the “Start/Stop” button flashes. Sewing starts when the fabric is moved while the button is flashing.
      A message appears and sewing ends when the fabric has not been moved for a certain period of time.
   2. Continuous mode:
      Stitches are continuously sewn after sewing has been started. This is suitable for sewing shapes with corners such as rectangles.
      If the fabric is not being moved, stitches are slowly sewn at the same location. Since stitches continue to be sewn at the same location, be careful that the thread does not become tangled.
   3. Basting mode:
      Stitches are sewn spaced far apart. Stitches are sewn when the fabric is moved the set length. When the fabric is not being moved, the needle is raised, the machine enters standby, and the “Start/Stop” button flashes. Sewing starts when the fabric is moved while the button is flashing.
      A message appears and sewing ends when the fabric has not been moved for a certain period of time.
      Sew trial stitches, check the stitching and how easily the thread can be removed, and then adjust the thread tension if necessary.
   4. Turn on or off [Stitch regulator]. When switched off, normal free-motion sewing is possible. Since the machine does not detect fabric movement, feed the fabric at a constant speed while you sew.
      CAUTION

      • While using the stitch regulator open toe quilting foot with [Stitch regulator] switched off, be careful not to pull the fabric forcefully, which could cause the needle to break.

3. Select a stitch pattern, and then set the stitch length.

   
   • When using a straight stitch to sew small parts or stippling, we recommend setting the stitch length between 1 mm and 1.5 mm.
   • Zigzag stitch patterns are suitable for thread painting.

4. Specify any other settings.

   
   1. Display the guidelines. (Specify the Guidelines)
   2. Switch on or off the projection of the stitch regulator sensor position. Select a projection color different from the projector’s background color selected in the settings screen. Refer to step 1 of Free-Motion Quilting/Basting with the Stitch Regulator.
   3. Switch on or off the projected status of the stitch regulator. Refer to step 1 of Free-Motion Quilting/Basting with the Stitch Regulator.
   4. Adjust the height of the stitch regulator presser foot.
      • For details on the other keys, refer to Sewing Screens.

Free-Motion Quilting/Basting with the Stitch Regulator

CAUTION

• If the thread tension is too tight, pulling on the fabric could cause needle breakage.
• Move the fabric, making sure that your hands keep away from the needle during sewing. Otherwise, injuries may result.

1. Position the fabric on the machine. At this time, correctly orient the fabric and position it so that it is under the stitch regulator sensor during sewing.

   
   1. This projected line indicates the position where the sensor can detect the fabric; it must be on the fabric while sewing.
   2. This projection indicates the status of the stitch regulator.
      Lit in green: Ready to sew or sewing.
      Flashing green: Standby in intermittent mode or basting mode.
      Lit in red: Not ready to sew.
      Off: The stitch regulator function is switched off, or the projection of the stitch regulator status is switched off (refer to step 4 of Selecting the Stitch Pattern and Stitch Regulator Mode).
      • If there is no fabric under the sensor, it will not be able to detect fabric movement and will not be able to sew at the set stitch length. If necessary, make sure that the fabric has a size that the sensor can detect.
        
        1. The fabric cannot be detected because it is in front of the position where the sensor can detect it.
        2. Sensor location

2. Pull the bobbin thread up through the fabric.

   Refer to Pulling Up the Bobbin Thread.

3. Lower the presser foot. Depress the foot controller or press the “Start/Stop” button, and then move the fabric.

   Quilting

   
   1. Stitching

   Basting

   
   • Stitches will be sewn at the set stitch length in response to the speed at which the fabric is moved.
     • Before sewing, make sure that a presser foot has been attached to the stitch regulator.
     • Adjust the height of the stitch regulator presser foot so that the fabric can be smoothly moved. If the distance between the stitch regulator sensor and the fabric is too large, the sensor may not be able to accurately detect fabric movement. In that case, lower the height of the stitch regulator presser foot without hindering fabric movement.
       
     • When the needle is up, move the fabric slowly and carefully. If the fabric is moved too quickly, an alarm will sound.
     • Do not rotate the fabric while sewing. Otherwise, the stitch regulator sensor will not be able to correctly detect fabric movement.
     • In order to sew stitches with a uniform length, move the fabric at a speed that does not cause the alarm to sound. The alarm volume can be adjusted in the settings screen.
       
     • In order to sew stitches at the set stitch length, move the fabric at least as much as the set stitch length.

4. Release the foot controller or press the “Start/Stop” button to stop sewing.

   • With the needle stop position set to (down), the needle remains lowered when sewing stops.
     When the foot controller is released after you stop moving the fabric, or when the “Start/Stop” button is pressed to finish sewing, an alarm sounds, and then the needle is lowered.
   • Touch [Memory] to save the current settings. To retrieve the settings at a later time, touch [Retrieve]. For details, refer to Saving the Utility Stitch Settings.