"IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS" When using overlock machine, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the following. "Read all instructions before using this overlock machine." DANGER- To reduce the risk of electric shock. 1. The overlock machine should never be left unattended when plugged in. Always unplug this overlock machine from the electrical outlet immediately after using and before cleaning.
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It is no longer necessary to select the threading position. All looper threads may be threaded at the same time or individually. Your Baby Lock Enlighten is a high-quality, dependable machine. It gives you the ability to seam, overcast and trim all in one operation. Fabrics and threads you previously avoided are now a joy to sew because the Baby Lock Enlighten handles all varieties with equal ease.
Table of Contents OVERVIEW ..........................4 How Your Serger Operates ................... 4 Overview of the Enlighten ..................... 5 ACCESSORIES ........................6 Accessories........................6 Needles ......................... 7 Thread........................... 7 Optional Accessories..................... 7 SERGER SET UP ........................8 Setting Up Your Enlighten ..................8/9 Threading Your Enlighten....................
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Table of Contents (Cont.) WAVE STITCH ........................33 Wave Stitch ......................... 33 Converting from Normal Serging to Wave..............33 3-Thread Wave Stitch....................34 3-Thread Rolled Wave Stitch..................35 ROLLED EDGING ......................... 36 Rolled Edging ....................... 36 Seaming Sheers......................36 Lettuce Edge ........................ 36 Belt Loops and Button Loops ..................
Serging is kind of a knitting process that loops two, three or four threads together to create a stitch. Your Baby Lock Enlighten operates with one or two needles and one or two "loopers," each carrying a thread to form the overlock stitch.
Accessories Your Baby Lock Enlighten serger has a built-in accessory compartment. To open, swing the "lid" on the thread spoolstand to the right to reveal the tray holding some of the accessories listed below. Others may be found in the machine packing materials.
Some manufacturers' needles may produce better qual- ity stitches with your Baby Lock than others. For best results, use Organ or Schmetz brand needles - sys- tem HAx1SP/CR, and replace them approximately every third project (page 48).
Setting Up Your Enlighten After removing the packing materials from the box, gently lift your Baby Lock serger by gasping the han- dle provided on the top of the machine. Place the machine on a serger sewing table or any level surface that provides ample work area to the left of the machine.
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Setting Up Your Enlighten (Cont.) When using threads on cones or king spools place the cone or spool securely over the cone holders furnished on your machine. To avoid bending the thread stand, you may need to place one hand under the stand while positioning the cone. The cone hold- ers prevent the cone or spool from spinning, enabling the thread to feed evenly (fig.A).
Threading Your Enlighten Your Baby Lock Enlighten is equipped with an exclusive "Electrionic Extraordin Air Threading System" for fast, easy threading of the upper and lower loopers. One touch of the "Push to Thread" button will automatically thread the loopers. It is no longer necessary to use tweezers for threading the thread guides.
Upper Looper 1. With the presser foot in the up position, open the front cover and move the threading lever into the thread- ing position (fig. A page 10). 2. Place the thread cone or spool on the second spool pin from the right. Slip the thread into the telescop- ic antenna thread guide "A"...
Right Needle 1. With the presser foot up position and the machine engaded in the threading position (page 10, fig. A), set the needle threader selector on "R" to thread the right needle (page 13, fig. A ). Note: Be sure to push the needle threader selector all the way to "R". 2.
Looper Thread Fine-Tuning Knob No adjustments are needed when sewing with most fabrics and threads on your Baby Lock EnlightenWave, but certain threads or fabrics may require minor fine-tuning of the looper delivery system to perfect your stitches. Increase or decrease the delivery of the looper threads with the upper and lower looper thread fine-tuning screw.
Serging with Fabric With the needle and looper threads under the foot and to the back, lower the presser foot. While holding the threads in your left hand, press down on the foot control gently to begin a thread chain before serging fabric (fig.A).
Thread Delivery System The Baby Lock Enlighten revolutionizes the way a serger works with its Thread Delivery System. You no longer have to manually adjust the tension settings for the type of stitch you are serging. Select the type of stitch you wish to serge, the Enlighten will automatically feed the correct amount of thread through the loopers and thread guides to form a perfect stitch every time.
Stitch Length/Rolled Hem The stitch length / rolled hem adjusting dial is conveniently locat- ed just to the left of the front cover, near the base plate (fig. A). The dial shows two stitch-length ranges, from 0.75, for the shortest stitch, to 4 for the longest.
Differential Feed Your Baby Lock serger is equipped with differential feed.The set of feed dogs work independently in order to ensure smooth sewing on all fabrics. When the differential feed adjusting lever, located at the machine's right, front edge is set on "N" for normal feeding, the feed dogs move the same distance.
Disengaging the Upper Cutting Blade When no trimming is desired, as when stitching on a fold, flip the cutting blade lock switch clockwise to the LOCK position. The cutting blade no longer moves up and down, but remains in its lowered position.
4-Thread Overlock With the Enlighten Thread Delivery System, the upper and lower looper threads lock together evenly over the cut fabric edge(s) to form a flat, non-rolling pattern of overlocking stitches on both sides of the fabric. The left needle thread interlocks with both looper threads at the stitching line to create the seam. The right needle thread, visible on the top side of the stitch, interlocks with both the loopers to add durability.
3-Thread Overlock-Wide The 3-thread overlock wide stitch is perfect for edge-finishing most woven fabrics and for seaming knits that do not require the extra durability that a fourth thread provides. It's easy to convert your Enlighten to serge with 3 threads by simply eliminating either needle.
3-Thread Overlock-Narrow It's easy to convert your Enlighten to serge a narrow seam with 3 threads by simply eliminating the left needle. To convert to narrow 3-thread overlock (3.0-3.5mm), cut the left needle thread (fig. A). Remove the left needle and left needle thread completely from the machine.
3-Thread Overlock-Narrow Hem Narrow Hemming is an attractive finish for light to medium to heavy weight fabrics. Remove the left needle and left needle thread completely from the machine. Clear the stitch fingers. Turn the stitch length adjusting dial counter-clockwise to the rolled hem range. Set the length at "0.75 to 4.0"...
Rolled Edging The rolled edge setting is used to achieve the narrowest stitch possible (1.5mm) on your Baby Lock serg- er. The stitch is suitable for seaming sheer and lightweight fabrics and for edging and hemming lightweight fabrics. 3-Thread Rolled Edge With the stitch selector set on "D", a narrow hem will become a rolled edge.
3-Thread Flatlock Flatlock seams are most suited to fabrics which do not ravel such as interlock knits, tricot, sweatshirt fleece and synthetic suede. The needle thread is carried below the fabric and to the cut edge of the fabric. The lower looper thread rides along the cut edge of the fabric for stability.
2-Thread Overlock The 2-thread function provides an economical and less bulky means of overedging all fabrics. The standard 2-thread overlock is the same as a 2-thread flatlock stitch. When sewn with specialty threads, 2-thread sewing makes decorative seams and edges for activewear, children's clothing , ruffles, and hemlines.
2-Thread Flatlock - Wide Sew 2-thread flatlock seams in the same way as 3-thread flatlock seams, then pull the two fabric layers apart until the seam lies flat (fig. A). Because the threads show on the outside as well as the inside of the garment or project, the 2-thread flatlock seam is often considered a decorative application (fig.
2-Thread Flatlock - Narrow Sew a 2-thread flatlock seam then pull the two fabric layers apart until the seam lies flat (fig. A). Because the threads show on the outside as well as the inside of the garment or project, the flatlock seam is often considered a decorative application (fig.
Flatlock "Topstitching" The flatlock stitch need not be limited at seamlines. When sewn on a fold, flatlocking can create attractive dec- orative effects within the body of a garment or project. Either follow placement lines on your pattern or design your own special effects by stitching the fabric before laying out pattern pieces.
Blind Hemming Your Baby Lock Enlighten can create a sturdy, nearly invisible blindhem. 1. Set the machine for 2-Thread Overlock-Narrow with the right needle threaded. Set the stitch width at 5.0 and the stitch length at 4.0 in the standard range.
Blanket Stitch - Decorative Stitch Set up the machine for 2-thread flatlock-wide but the needle threading path is different for this technique. 1. Insert a size 90 top stitch needle in left overlock needle posi- tion. 2. Engage the threading lever in the threading position. 3.
Ladder Stitch - Decorative Stitch Note: The threading path for the needle thread is different in Ladder Right this technique. Please refer to the Quick Reference Threading Side Guide or illustration below. Right 1. Insert a size 90 top stitch needle in left overlock needle posi- Side Wrong tion.
Returning to 3 or 4-Thread Overlock 1. Open the front cover and rotate the handwheel forward to bring the upper looper to its highest position. 2. With your index finger or tweezers, move the subsidiary looper slightly to the back to release from the eye of the upper looper.
Wave Stitch The Wave Stitch provides a decorative "wavy" edging on fabric. (This is not to be confused with "Lettuce Edge" on page 36). The upper looper thread and the lower looper thread gradually appear every 25 stitch- es to create a stitch that looks like a "Wave". When using different color specialty threads (pages 46/47) for the upper or lower loopers, the Wave stitch creates an attractive stitch for edging.
3-thread Wave Stitch 1. Turn the Wave Selector lever from "OVERLOCK" to "WAVE". 2. Cut the threads from the thread cones and remove from the thread paths. 3. Engage the threading lever to threading position (page 10). 4. Place the right needle thread cone on the far left spool pin. 5.
Rolled Edging To convert "ROLLED EDGE", please refer to page 23 to change the settings and threading. Seaming Sheers Use the 3-thread rolled hem setting when sewing sheer fabrics that otherwise would require French seams. Set the stitch length at 2.5. Then simply sew the seams, aligning the fabric edges with the serg- er seam guide, trimming away the excess seam allowance.
Overedging Overedging to finish facings, hems and seams before construction, is one of the most basic uses of a serger, such as making a garment or project with 5/8 inch (16mm) pressed open seams (fig. A). To overedge, place the single layer of fabric in front of the presser foot, aligning the cut edge with upper cutting blade.
Securing Ends The serger stitch will not unravel readily, and in most cases serged seams are secured by an intersecting seam. If that's not the case, there are several options for securing a seam (fig. A). 1. Leave a 3 inch (7.5cm) chain, separate the threads and tie a knot. 2.
Securing Ends (Cont.) To lock the end of the seam: 1. Take one stitch off the end of the seam (fig. A). 2. Raise the presser foot and bring the needle(s) to the highest position. Pull back gently on the fabric to clear the stitch fingers.
Turning Outside Corners 1. Stitch along one edge until you reach the corner. Take one stitch off the edge of the fabric (fig. A). (As you approach the edge, you may want to stop and manually turn the handwheel towards you.) 2.
Serging Curves To serge around inside or outside curves, guide the fabric into the cutting blade, not the needle(s). Remember, cutting takes place before the fabric reaches the needle. Because the long serger presser foot holds the fabric more securely, you may need to raise and lower the presser foot several times to maneu- ver around very tight curves.
Using Specialty Threads Beautiful stitches can be formed by serging with specialty threads, cords and ribbons. These heavier or shinier threads can be used to enhance appearance, add strength or elasticity, or create special effects, depending on the thread you choose. Some specialty threads work well through the needle and loopers.
Thread Cradle for Loopers 1. Open the front cover and raise the presser foot. 2. At the threading port, clip the looper thread that is to be replaced. (fig.A) Remove thread from under the foot and the upper thread guides. Replace cone of thread with specialty thread. 3.
Looper Threading Tool 1. Open the front cover and raise the presser foot. 2. At the threading port, cut the looper thread that is to be replaced. Remove thread from under the foot and the upper thread guides. Replace cone of thread with specialty thread. 3.
Bypassing the Threading Port Heavy weight threads can be used through your regular loop- er thread paths. Specific techniques may require that the thread bypass the thread port for the thread pull to be loosened. Start with the machine threaded with regular serger thread. 1.
Specialty Thread Guide Chart Woolly Nylon Topstitching Machine Embroidery Thread Buttonhole Twist Metallic Threads Decorative edges for Edging or flatlock Soft stretchy seams on clothing, gift items, seaming for sportswear lingerie, swimwear, home décor, etc. and home décor items. active wear, and for APPLICATION rolled edge stitch.
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Specialty Thread Guide Chart (Cont.) Designer 6 Machine Embroidery Clear Nylon Pearl Crown Rayon Threads: Rayon and Monofilament Polyester, 30, 40, 50 Candlelight weight. Jeans Stitch Lingerie Thread Ribbon Thread Decorative edging, flat- Lingerie and lightweight Techniques APPLICATION locking, rolled hem, fabrics, edging of fine requiring the thread wave stitch, rolled wave...
The lower fixed blade is made of a special long lasting steel and does not require frequent replacement. If necessary, contact your nearest Baby Lock retailer for replacement of this blade. The upper moving blade is made of a softer steel material and will require replacement.
Cleaning Your Baby Lock will operate at best performance if it is kept clean at all times. The serger's cutting action creates much more lint than you will find on conventional sewing machine. Your serger's major moving parts are well protected and do not need to be oiled.
Troubleshooting Before taking your machine in for service, check the following: Machine fails to start: 1. Are electrical plugs properly connected? 2. Is the power switch on? 3. Check household circuit breaker or fuse. 4. Is the lock button release lever in the unlocked position? Thread breaks: 1.
Troubleshooting (Cont.) Needle threading difficulties: 1. Is the needle threader selector at the appropriate setting?("R" for right needle, "L" for left needle.) 2. Is the machine in the locked position? Looper threading difficulties: 1. Is the machine engaged in the threading position? 2.