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"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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Fabrics and threads you previously avoided are now a joy to sew because the Baby Lock Victory handles all varieties with equal ease. With the Baby Lock Victory your creative options are endless and your time spent serging is more fulfilling and rewarding.
Serging is kind of a knitting process that loops two, three or four threads together to create a stitch. Your Baby Lock Victory operates with one or two needles and one or two "loopers," each carrying a thread to form the overlock stitch.
Accessories Your Baby Lock Victory serger has a built-in accessory compartment. To open, swing the "lid" on the thread spool stand to the right to reveal the tray holding some of the accessories listed below. Others may be found in the machine packing materials.
Needles Your Baby Lock Victory serger is set up with 75/11 machine needles, which are suitable for most medium and lightweight fabrics. For heavyweight fabrics, change to a size 90/14 needle. The needle's semi-ball point design is suitable for knits and wovens. Some manufacturers' needles may produce better quality stitches with your Baby Lock than others.
Setting Up Your Victory After removing the packing materials from the box, gently lift your Baby Lock serger by grasping the handle 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.
Cutting Blade Locking Dial 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. To re-engage the cut- ting blade, turn the cutting blade lock switch half of a turn counter-clockwise.
Stitch Length / Rolled Hem The stitch length / rolled hem adjusting dial is conveniently located 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. (fig. C) As the dial indicates, one range is for standard sewing and one is for rolled edging or narrow seaming.
Differential Feed Your Baby Lock serger is equipped with differential feed. The sets of feed dogs work independently in order to ensure smooth sewing on all fabrics. (fig. A) When the differential feed adjusting lever, located at the ma- chine's right, front edge is set on "N" for normal feeding, the feed dogs move the same distance.
Thread Delivery System The Baby Lock Victory 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, and the Victory will automatically feed the correct amount of thread through the loopers and thread guides to form a perfect stitch every time.
2-Thread Subsidiary Looper Either needle thread may be engaged for 2-thread overlock se- wing. To engage the subsidiary looper 1. Open the front cover and the blade cover, cut the upper lo- oper thread just above the threading port. (fig. A) Raise the presser foot and pull out the clipped thread from under the foot.
Threading Preparation 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 holders prevent the cone or spool from spinning, enabling the thread to feed evenly.
Threading Your Victory Your Baby Lock Victory is equipped with an exclusive "Instant Jet-Air Threading System" for fast, easy threading of the upper and lower loopers. One push of the "Jet-Air" threading lever 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 up and machine lock button in the locked position (See fig. A-B, page 15), set the looper threader selector lever to "U" for upper looper threading. (See fig. B, page 15) 2. Place the thread cone or spool on the second spool pin from the front on the right side of the thread stand.
Right Needle 1. Turn the handwheel and line up the green marks on the machine and the handwheel. Set the needle threader selector on "R" for right needle. (fig. A page 18) 2. Place the thread on the second spool pin from the left on the thread stand. (illustrated below) Thread needle thread guides 1 and 2, then through the groove on the front of the machine and through guides 3, 4, 5, and 6.
How to Use Needle Threader 1. Turn the handwheel to line up the green marks on the machine. (fig. A page 17) 2. Set the needle threader selector on "R" (right needle) or "L" (left needle). (fig. A) 3. Press the needle threader lever down (fig. B) so that the hook goes into the eye of the needle. 4.
Close the front cover and sew a test sample. Refer to page 15-16 for further information. Note: When re-threading your Baby Lock Victory using the "Jet-Air Threading" feature, make sure that the previous thread that was in the looper (tube) is completely removed. This will eliminate any chance of the previous thread obstructing the flow of the air when re-threading the machine.
4-Thread 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.
4-Thread Overlock With the Victory 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 Victory to serge with 3 threads by simply eliminating the right needle.
3-Thread Overlock – Narrow It's easy to convert your Victory to serge with 3 threads by simply eliminating the left needle. To convert to narrow 3-thread overlock (3.0-5.0mm), cut the left needle thread. (fig. A) Remove the left needle and left needle thread completely from the machine.
3-Thread Overlock - Narrow Hemming Narrow hemming is an attractive finish for light to medium to heavy weight fabrics. Remove the left needle and needle thread completely from the machine. Clear the stitch fingers. Turn the stitch length ad- justing dial counter-clockwise to the rolled hem range. Set the length at "0.75-1.5R"...
Rolled Edging The rolled edge setting is used to achieve the narrowest stitch possible (1.5mm) on your Baby Lock serger. 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.
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 serger seam guide, trimming away the excess seam allowance. Lettuce Edge A frilly or "lettuce"...
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 ap- plication.
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 conside- red a decorative application.
Flatlock "Topstitching" The flatlock stitch need not be limited at seamlines. When sewn on a fold, flatlocking can create attractive decorative effects within the body of a garment or pro- ject. Either follow placement lines on your pattern or design your own special effects by stitching the fabric before laying out pattern pieces.
Blind Hemming You Baby Lock Victory can create a sturdy, nearly invisible blindhem. 1. Set the machine for 2-Thread Overlock with the right needle threaded. Set the stitch width at 5.0 and the sti- tch length at 4.0 in the standard range.
Blanket Stitch - Decorative Stitch Note: The threading path for the needle thread is different in this technique. Please refer to the Quick Reference Threading Guide or the illustration below. 1. Insert a size 90 Top Stitch needle in left needle position as a heavy decorative thread will be used in the needle.
Ladder Stitch - Decorative Stitch Note: The threading path for the needle thread is different in Ladder this technique. Please refer to the Quick Reference Threa- Right Right ding Guide or the illustration below. Side Side Right Right 1. Insert a size 90 Top Stitch needle in left needle position Side Side as a heavy decorative thread will be used in the needle.
Returning to 3 or 4-Thread Overlock 1. Open the front cover and rotate the handwheel counterclockwise to bring the needle clamp to its highest position. 2. Slide the subsidiary looper to the left direction and swing it clockwise to the right. 3.
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, these are several options for securing seams. (fig. A) 1. Leave a 3- inch (7.5cm) chain, separate the threads and tie a knot.
Securing Ends (Cont.) To lock the end of the seam: 1. Take one stitch off the end of the fabric. (fig. F) 2. Raise the presser foot and bring the needle(s) to the hig- hest 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 footse- veral times to maneuver around very tight curves.
Using Specialty Threads Beautiful stitches can be formed by serging with specialty threads, cords and ribbons. These he- avier 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 spe- cialty thread.
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 speci- alty thread.
Bypassing the Threading Port Heavy weight threads can be used through your regular looper 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.
Specialty Thread Guide Chart Topstitching Woolly Nylon Machine Buttonhole Twist Thread Embroidery Metallic Threads APPLICATION Edging or flatlock Soft stretchy seams Decorative edges for seaming for sportswear on lingerie, swimwear, clothing, gift items, and home décor items. active wear, and for home décor, etc.
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Specialty Thread Guide Chart (Cont.) Clear Nylon Machine Embroidery Designer 6 Monofilament Threads: Rayon and Pearl Crown Rayon Polyester, 30, 40, 50 Candlelight weight. Jeans Stitch Lingerie Thread Ribbon Thread APPLICATION Techniques Lingerie and Decorative edging, requiring the thread lightweight fabrics, flatlocking, rolled hem, to be invisible such as edging of fine fabrics,...
If for some reason your machine does not cut or perform as it should, please take your machine to your nearest Baby Lock retailer. It is possible that the result of poor cutting may indicate other problems.
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 machines. Your serger will not need oiling for many years because the major moving parts are made from oil-impregnated metal.
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.) Looper threading difficulties: 1. Is the looper threader selector at the appropriate setting?(Left threading port for "U" upper looper, right threading port for "L"...
Chart for Stitch Selection Settings Stitch Stitch Stitch Differential Stitch Type Needle Page Length Width Selector Feed Left 4-Thread 2.5-3.5 6.0-7.5 Overlock Right 4-Thread Left OPTIONAL Gathering 6.0-7.0 Right 3-Thread Left Overlock-Wide Narrow 2.5-3.5 Right 3-Thread Narrow 0.75-1.5R Right N-0.6 Hemming 3-Thread Rolled...