Brother Sewing Machine 888 X53 User Manual

XF3656-001  
Always unplug your machine if the power is cut.  
machine needle.  
Do not turn on the machine while pressing down the foot controller. The machine  
may start unexpectedly and cause personal injury or damage to the machine.  
Switch the machine to the symbol “O” position to turn it off when making any  
adjustments in the needle area.  
Do not use a damaged or incorrect needle plate, as it could cause the needle to  
break.  
Use this machine only for its intended use as described in this manual.  
Operation  
Manual  
3
Never operate this machine if it has a damaged cord or plug, if it is not working  
properly, if it has been dropped or damaged, or water is spilled on the unit.  
Return the machine to the nearest authorized dealer or service center for  
examination, repair, electrical or mechanical adjustment.  
Use accessories recommended by the manufacturer as contained in this manual.  
The contents of this manual and specifications of this product are subject to change  
without notice.  
While the machine is stored or in use if you notice anything unusual, such as an  
odor, heat, discoloration or deformation, stop using the machine and immediately  
unplug the power cord.  
When transporting the machine, be sure to carry it by its handle. Lifting the  
machine by any other part may damage the machine or result in the machine  
falling, which could cause injuries.  
Sewing Machine  
Do not push or pull the fabric when sewing, and follow careful instruction when  
freehand stitching so that you do not deflect the needle and cause it to break.  
SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS  
Video tutorials  
included on DVD.  
6
This machine is not a toy:  
This machine is intended for household use.  
1
Your close attention is necessary when the machine is used by or near children.  
The plastic bag that this machine was supplied in should be kept out of the reach  
of children or disposed of. Never allow children to play with the bag due to the  
danger of suffocation.  
888-X53/X54/X55/X56  
This appliance can be used by children aged from 8 years and  
above and persons with reduced physical, sensory or mental  
capabilities or lack of experience and knowledge if they have  
been given supervision or instruction concerning use of the  
appliance in a safe way and understand the hazards involved.  
Children shall not play with the appliance. Cleaning and user  
maintenance shall not be made by children without supervision.  
When lifting the machine, be careful not to make any sudden or careless  
movements, otherwise you may injure your back or knees.  
4
Always keep your work area clear:  
Do not use outdoors.  
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS  
Never operate the machine with any air openings blocked. Keep ventilation  
openings of the machine and foot control free from the build up of lint, dust, and  
loose cloth.  
Please read these safety instructions before attempting to use the machine.  
7
For a longer service life:  
When storing this machine, avoid direct sunlight and high humidity locations. Do  
not use or store the machine near a space heater, iron, halogen lamp, or other hot  
objects.  
DANGER  
- To reduce the risk of electric shock:  
Do not store objects on the foot controller.  
Do not use extension cords. Plug the machine directly into the electrical outlet.  
Never drop or insert any object into any opening.  
Do not operate where aerosol (spray) products are being used or where oxygen is  
being administered.  
Do not use the machine near a heat source, such as a stove or iron;otherwise,  
the machine, power cord or garment being sewn may ignite, resulting in fire or an  
electric shock.  
1
Always unplug the machine from the electrical outlet immediately after using,  
when cleaning, when making any user servicing adjustments mentioned in this  
manual, or if you are leaving the machine unattended.  
Use only neutral soaps or detergents to clean the case. Benzene, thinner, and  
scouring powders can damage the case and machine, and should never be used.  
Always consult the operation manual when replacing or installing any assemblies,  
the presser feet, needle, or other parts to assure correct installation.  
FOR USERS IN THE UK, EIRE, MALTA AND CYPRUS ONLY  
IMPORTANT  
In the event of replacing the plug fuse, use a fuse approved by ASTA to BS 1362,  
WARNING  
-
To reduce the risk of burns, fire, electric shock, or injury to  
i.e. carrying the  
mark, rating as marked on plug.  
8
For repair or adjustment:  
persons.  
Always replace the fuse cover. Never use plugs with the fuse cover omitted.  
If the available electrical outlet is not suitable for the plug supplied with this  
equipment, you should contact your authorized dealer to obtain the correct lead.  
Do not place this machine on an unstable surface, such as an unsteady or slanted  
table, otherwise the machine may fall, resulting in injuries.  
If the Light unit (light-emitting diode) is damaged, it must be replaced by  
authorized dealer.  
2
Always unplug the machine from the electrical outlet when making any  
adjustments mentioned in the instruction manual:  
• In the event a malfunction occurs or adjustment is required, first follow the  
troubleshooting table in the back of the operation manual to inspect and adjust  
the machine yourself. If the problem persists, please consult your local authorized  
Brother dealer.  
5
Special care is required when sewing:  
To unplug the machine, switch the machine to the symbol “O” position to turn it off,  
then grasp the plug and pull it out of the electrical outlet. Do not pull on the cord.  
Plug the machine directly into the electrical outlet. Do not use an extension cord.  
Always pay close attention to the needle. Do not use bent or damaged needles.  
• Keep fingers away from all moving parts. Special care is required around the  
Connecting plugs  
Replacing the needle  
Note  
Using Your Sewing Machine  
If a power outage occurs while the sewing machine is  
being operated, turn off the main power and unplug  
the power supply cord. When restarting the sewing  
machine, follow the necessary procedure to correctly  
operate the machine.  
CAUTION  
Checking the needle  
WARNING  
Always turn off the machine before you change  
Use only regular household electricity for the power source. Using other power sources may  
result in fire, electric shock, or damage to the machine.  
the needle. Otherwise, injuries may occur if the  
Parallel space  
foot controller is accidentally pressed and the  
Make sure that the plugs on the power cord are firmly inserted into the electrical outlet and the  
power supply jack on the machine.  
Do not insert the plug on the power cord into an electrical outlet that is in poor condition.  
Turn off the main power and remove the plug in the following circumstances:  
(For U.S.A. only)  
machine starts sewing.  
This appliance has a polarized plug (one blade wider than  
the other). To reduce the risk of electric shock, this plug is  
intended to fit in a polarized outlet only one way. If the plug  
does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug.  
If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician to install  
the proper outlet. Do not modify the plug in any way.  
Only use sewing machine needles for home  
use. Other needles may bend or break and  
cause injury.  
Level surface  
When you are away from the machine  
After using the machine  
When the power fails during use  
When the machine does not operate correctly due to a bad connection or a disconnection  
During electrical storms  
Never sew with a bent needle. A bent needle  
will easily break and cause injury.  
CAUTION  
Main power and sewing Foot controller  
CAUTION  
Use only the power cord included with this machine.  
light switch  
Do not allow pieces of cloth  
and dust to build up on  
the foot controller. Doing  
so could cause a fire or an  
electric shock.  
With the flat side of the needle  
toward the back of the machine,  
insert the needle until touching  
this stopper  
Note  
CAUTION  
Do not use extension cords or multi-plug adapters with many other appliances plugged in to  
them. Fire or electric shock may result.  
Do not use excessive force  
when loosening or tightening  
the needle clamp screw.  
Before replacing the needle, place fabric or paper  
under the presser foot to prevent the needle from  
falling into the hole in the needle plate.  
Do not touch the plug with wet hands. Electric shock may result.  
Slower  
When unplugging the machine, always turn off the main power first. Always grasp the plug to  
remove it from the outlet. Pulling on the cord may damage the cord, or lead to fire or electric  
shock.  
Note (For U.S.A. only)  
CAUTION  
Faster  
Do not allow the power cord to be cut, damaged, modified, forcefully bent, pulled, twisted, or  
bundled. Do not place heavy objects on the cord. Do not subject the cord to heat. These things  
may damage the cord and cause fire or electric shock. If the cord or plug is damaged, take the  
machine to your authorized dealer for repairs before continuing use.  
Foot Controller: Model KD-  
1902. This foot controller can  
be used on the machine with  
product code 888-X53/X54/  
X55/X56. The product code  
is mentioned on the machine  
rating plate.  
Make sure you insert the needle until  
Press the foot  
Tighten the needle  
clamp screw  
it touches the stopper, and securely  
tighten the needle clamp screw with a  
screwdriver, otherwise the needle may  
break or the machine may be damaged.  
controller down to start  
Press the power switch toward the  
sewing. Take your foot  
“I” mark to turn the main power  
off the foot controller to  
Unplug the power cord if the machine is not to be used for a long period of time. Otherwise a  
fire may result.  
Turn the screw  
counterclockwise  
and sewing light on. Press toward  
stop sewing.  
the “O” mark to turn off.  
Changing the presser foot  
CAUTION  
Presser foot installation orientation  
Always turn off the machine before you change the presser foot. If you leave the power on and  
step on the controller, the machine will start and you may be injured.  
Always use the correct presser foot for the stitch pattern you have chosen. If you use the wrong  
presser foot, the needle may strike the presser foot and bend or break, and may cause injury.  
CAUTION  
If the presser foot is not installed with the  
correct orientation, the needle may strike  
the presser foot, which may bend or break  
the needle and cause injury.  
Only use presser feet that have been designed to be used with this machine. Using any other  
presser foot may cause accident or injury.  
This snaps in  
to the shank  
Shank  
Remove the presser foot by  
pulling it vertically downward.  
Mark on the wheel points up to rise the  
needle  
Reverse sewing  
Trial sewing  
Changing the sewing  
direction  
Sewing thick fabrics  
Sewing thin fabrics  
Sewing stretch fabrics  
Stitching cylindrical pieces  
To sew in reverse, push  
the reverse sewing lever  
in as far as possible and  
hold it in that position  
while you lightly push the  
foot controller.  
Use a piece of fabric and thread that are the  
same as those used for your project, and check  
the thread tension and stitch length and width.  
If the fabric does not fit  
easily under the presser  
foot, raise the presser foot  
lever even higher to bring  
the presser foot to its highest  
position.  
When sewing thin fabrics,  
the stitching may become  
misaligned or the fabric  
may not feed correctly.  
If this occurs, place thin  
paper or stabilizer material  
First, baste the pieces of  
fabric together, and then  
sew without stretching the  
fabric.  
Stop the machine with the  
needle in the fabric at the  
point where you want to  
change the sewing direction,  
and then raise the presser  
foot lever. Using the needle  
as a pivot, turn the fabric, lower the presser foot  
lever, and then continue sewing.  
Slide the flat bed  
attachment to the  
left to release it.  
Slide the part that you wish  
to sew onto the arm, and  
then sew from the top.  
Basting  
Stabilizer material  
or paper  
To sew forward, release  
the reverse sewing lever.  
The machine will then  
sew forward.  
The length of reverse  
stitches is fixed at 2mm  
(1/16 inch).  
under the fabric and sew  
it together with the fabric.  
When you have finished  
sewing, tear off any excess  
paper.  
CAUTION  
If fabric more than 6 mm (15/64 inch) thick is  
sewn or if the fabric is pushed with too much  
force, the needle may bend or break.  
Reverse sewing  
lever  
Note  
When you are finished with free-arm sewing,  
install the flat bed attachment back in its original  
position.  
 
XF4097-001  
Operation  
Manual  
Sewing Machine  
Video tutorials included on  
DVD.  
2
888-X53/X54/X55/X56  
Included accessories  
The main parts  
1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
2
3
4
A
5
6
Part Code  
Others  
XC4901-121  
B
0
No.  
Part Name  
Americas  
SA156  
1
2
3
4
Zigzag foot “J” (on machine)  
Buttonhole foot “A”  
9
X59369-321  
XE9369-001  
Zipper foot “I”  
E
Bobbin (One is on machine)  
SFB:XA5539-151  
C
3-piece set: XE5328-001  
2-piece set: XE7064-001  
XF3557-001  
5
6
7
Needle set (90/14 needle)  
Screwdriver  
F
D
8
Model KD-1902 for 110-120V area  
KD-1902 for 110-127V area (Brazil only)  
Model KD-2902 for 220-240V area  
a Bobbin winder  
j Buttonhole fine-adjustment screw  
k Pattern selection dial  
Rotate the dial in either direction to  
choose the stitch you want.  
l Handwheel  
Foot controller  
This winds the thread onto the bobbin  
for use as the lower thread.  
b Spool pin  
This holds the spool of thread.  
c Thread guide  
Note  
The included accessories vary depending on the machine model.  
The foot controller part code differs depending on the country or region. Contact your  
dealer or the nearest authorized service center.  
Used to manually raise and lower the  
needle.  
This is used when winding the thread  
onto the bobbin and then threading the  
machine.  
m Main power and sewing light switch  
You can turn the main power and sewing  
light switch on and off.  
n Foot controller jack / socket  
Plug in the foot controller plug and  
connect the machine to the power  
supply.  
d Thread take-up lever  
e Upper tension-control dial  
This controls the tension of the upper  
thread.  
Optional accessories  
f Thread cutter  
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Pass the threads through the thread  
cutter to cut them.  
o Presser foot lever  
Used to raise and lower the presser foot.  
g Flat bed attachment with accessory  
compartment  
h Presser foot  
i Reverse sewing lever  
Push this lever to stitch in the reverse  
direction.  
p Foot controller  
You can use this to control the sewing  
speed, and to start and stop sewing.  
Part Code  
Others  
XC6063-021  
No.  
Part Name  
Americas  
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Darning Plate  
Button sewing foot “M”  
Walking Foot  
XE2137-001  
SA107  
SA129  
SA125  
SA127  
SA134  
SA132  
F034N: XC2165-002  
F005N: XC1948-052  
F001N: XC1944-052  
F003N: XC1945-052  
F018N: XC1976-052  
F016N: XC2215-052  
Flat bed attachment  
Quilting Foot  
The accessories can be stored in a compartment inside the flat bed attachment.  
1/4-inch Quilting Foot  
Narrow Hemmer Foot  
Blind Stitch Foot  
Quilting guide  
Slide the  
attachment to the  
left to open.  
Note  
The optional accessories are to be purchased separately. Depending on the model you  
purchased, some accessories may be included with your machine.  
Storage  
compartment  
Thread tension  
The tension of the thread will affect the quality of your stitches. You may need to adjust it when you change fabric or thread. We recommend that you do a  
test sample on scrap of a fabric before you start to sew.  
Correct tension  
Correct tension is important as too much or too  
little tension will weaken your seams or cause  
puckers on your fabric.  
Upper tension is too tight  
Loops will appear on the surface of the fabric.  
Upper tension is too loose  
Loops appear on the back of the fabric.  
Note  
Note  
Back of fabric  
If the bobbin thread was incorrectly  
threaded, the upper thread may be too  
tight. In this case, refer to “1 Lower  
threading” of Sheet 1 to rethread the  
bobbin thread.  
If the upper thread was incorrectly  
threaded, the upper thread may be too  
loose. In this case, refer to “2 Upper  
threading” on Sheet 1 and rethread the  
upper thread.  
Surface of  
fabric  
Loops appear  
on back of  
Upper thread  
Lower thread  
Back of fabric fabric  
Back of fabric  
Surface  
of fabric  
Surface  
of fabric  
Upper  
thread  
Upper  
thread  
Loops appear on  
surface of fabric  
Lower thread  
Lower  
thread  
Solution: Reduce the tension by turning the  
Solution: Increase the tension by turning the  
upper tension control dial to a lower number.  
upper tension control dial to a higher number.  
 
Sewing Buttonholes and Buttons  
Maintenance  
CAUTION  
Restrictions on oiling  
Always turn off the machine before replacing the presser foot. Otherwise, injuries may occur  
if the foot controller is accidentally pressed and the machine starts sewing.  
In order to prevent damaging this machine, it must not be oiled by the user.  
This machine was manufactured with the necessary amount of oil applied to ensure  
correct operation, making periodic oiling unnecessary.  
If problems occur, such as difficulty turning the handwheel or an unusual noise,  
immediately stop using the machine, and contact your authorized dealer or the nearest  
authorized service center.  
3 Securing the  
Preparation  
1
Stitching and  
Using tailor’s chalk, mark the  
position and length of the buttonhole  
on the fabric.  
Cutting the  
Buttonhole  
Buttonhole sewing  
Precautions on storing the machine  
To secure the stitching, turn the  
material 90 degrees counterclockwise  
and sew straight stitches to the end of  
the front bar tack of the buttonhole.  
Do not store the machine in any of the locations described below, otherwise damage to  
the machine may result, for example, rust caused by condensation.  
Exposed to extremely high temperatures • Near a flame, heater or air conditioner  
Exposed to extremely low temperatures  
Exposed to extreme temperature  
changes  
Outdoors or exposed to direct sunlight  
Exposed to extremely dusty or oily  
environments  
Exposed to high humidity or steam  
Remove the material from the  
machine. We recommend that you  
put pins across both ends of the  
buttonhole to prevent the stitches from  
being cut.  
CAUTION  
If the presser foot is not installed  
with the correct orientation, the  
needle may strike the presser  
foot, which may bend or break the  
needle and cause injury.  
Note  
In order to extend the life of this machine, periodically turn it on and use it. Storing this  
machine for an extended period of time without using it may reduce its efficiency.  
Attach the buttonhole foot.  
Cleaning  
Push the frame  
back until it stops  
with the plastic  
insert at the front  
of the frame.  
CAUTION  
Cut an opening in the middle of the  
buttonhole with the seam ripper tool.  
Be careful not to cut through and  
stitches.  
Make sure you unplug the machine before  
you clean it, otherwise you risk getting an  
electric shock or being injured.  
Match up the  
bar tack mark  
to the two red  
lines on the  
Line the chalk  
mark under the  
center of the  
presser foot.  
presser foot.  
Clean the race  
CAUTION  
When using the seam ripper to open the  
buttonhole, do not put your hand or finger  
in the path of the ripper. The seam ripper  
may slip and you may be injured.  
Adjusting buttonholes  
Making a buttonhole  
2
After sewing the left side of the  
buttonhole, stitch the right side and  
observe the feeding.  
Step  
Sewn section  
Pattern  
Mark on the wheel points up to rise the  
needle  
Step 1  
(Front bar  
tack)  
1. Set the pattern selection dial to “a”.  
2. Lower the presser foot and sew 5 to 6  
stitches.  
3. Stop the machine when the needle is  
at the left side of the stitches and then  
raise the needle from the material.  
Step 2  
(Left side)  
1. Turn the pattern selection dial to “b”.  
2. Sew the length of the tailor’s chalk line.  
3. Stop the machine when the needle is at  
the left side of the stitch and then raise  
the needle.  
CAUTION  
If the left side is too open or tight  
compared with the right side, adjust the  
buttonhole fine-adjustment screw.  
Left side  
Never use a bobbin case that is  
scratched; otherwise the upper thread  
may become tangled, the needle may  
break, or sewing performance may  
suffer. For a new bobbin case (part  
code: XE9326-001), contact your nearest  
authorized service center.  
Step 3  
(Back bar  
tack)  
This  
adjustment  
ensures both  
sides of the  
buttonhole  
are the same.  
Make sure that you fit the bobbin case  
properly, otherwise the needle may  
break.  
1. Turn the pattern selection dial to “c”  
(same position as in step 1).  
2. Sew 5 to 6 stitches.  
3. Stop the machine when the needle is at  
the right side of the stitch and then raise  
the needle from the material.  
Step 4  
(Right side)  
Turn the buttonhole fine-adjustment screw  
with a large screwdriver as indicated in the  
illustrations, according to the buttonhole  
appearance.  
1. Set the pattern selection dial to “d”.  
2. Sew the right side until the needle  
reaches the stitches sewn in step 1.  
 

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