Baby Lock BLCS Instruction Manual
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
Model BLCS
"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.
2. Always unplug before replacing light bulb. Replace bulb with same type rated 15 watts/110 volts in 110V/120V area.
(15 watts 240 volts in 220V/240V area.)
WARNING- To reduce the risk of burns, fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.
1. Do not allow to be used as a toy. Close attention is necessary when the sewing machine is used by or near children.
2. Use this overlock machine only for its intended use as described in this manual. Use only attachments recommended by the manufacturer as contained in this manual.
3. Never operate this overlock machine if it has a damaged cord or plug, if it is not working properly, if it has been
dropped or damaged, or dropped into water. Return the overlock machine to the nearest authorized dealer or service center for examination, repair, electrical or mechanical adjustment.
4. Never operate the overlock machine with any air openings blocked. Keep ventilation openings of the overlock
machine and foot controller free from the accumulation of lint, dust, and loose cloth.
5. Never drop or insert any object into any opening.
6. Do not use outdoors.
7. Do not operate where aerosol (spray) products are being used or where oxygen is being administered.
8. To disconnect, turn the main switch to the symbol "O" position which represents off, then remove plug from outlet.
9. Do not unplug by pulling on cord. To unplug, grasp the plug, not the cord.
10. Keep fingers away from all moving parts. Special care is required around the overlock machine needle.
11. Always use the proper needle plate. The wrong needle plate can cause the needle to break.
12. Do not use bent needles.
13. Do not pull or push fabric while stitching. It may deflect the needle(s) causing it to break.
14. Switch the overlock machine to the symbol "O" position when making any adjustments in the needle area, such as
threading needle, changing needle, threading looper, or changing presser foot, and the like.
15. Always unplug the overlock machine from the electrical outlet when removing covers, lubricating, or when making
any of the user servicing adjustments mentioned in the instruction manual.
16. Keep fingers away from moving parts, especially the area near the blades.
17. Please note that on disposal, this product must be safely recycled in accordance with
relevant National legislation relating to electrical / electronic products. If in doubt
please contact your retailer for guidance.
18. The appliance is not intended for use by young children or infirm persons without supervision.
19. Young children should be supervised to ensure that they do not play with the appliance.
"SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS"
"This overlock machine is intended for household use."
European
Union only
Welcome to the Baby Lock Cover Stitch Machine
Your Baby Lock Cover Stitch machine provides a variety of chain and cover stitches, allowing you
to create professional looking hems just like the ready-to-wear fashions in stores. A variety of
stitch widths and lengths also provide options for creating the look you want.
Your Baby Lock Cover Stitch is a high-quality, dependable machine. The patented Jet-Air
Threading system makes threading the looper a breeze. Speedy at 1300 stitches per minute,
BLCS allows you to complete hems quickly. Other features including differential feed,auto-tension release when the presser foot is lifted, and manual tension adjustments put you in control of
your project.
With proper care and maintenance, your Baby Lock Cover Stitch machine promises years of
high-quality, dependable performance and sewing pleasure. Keep this instruction manual as a
step-by-step guide to become familiar with your Baby Lock.
Happy Sewing!
For additional product information visit our website at
www.babylock.com
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Table of Contents
OVERVIEW ..................................................................................................................4
How Your Machine Operates................................................................................ 4
Overview of the Baby Lock ................................................................................... 5
Accessories............................................................................................................. 6
Needles ..................................................................................................................7
Thread ..................................................................................................................7
Optional Accessories.............................................................................................. 7
Accessory Adapter..................................................................................................7
Setting Up Your Baby Lock................................................................................ 8/9
Side Cover.............................................................................................................. 9
Thread Cutter...................................................................................................... 10
Presser Foot Pressure Adjustment..................................................................... 10
Snap-on Presser Foot .......................................................................................... 10
Stitch Length....................................................................................................... 11
Differential Feed.................................................................................................. 11
Chain/Cover Stitch Tension Dials ...................................................................... 12
Needle Tension Dial............................................................................... 12
Chain Looper Tension Dial.................................................................... 12
THREADING ................................................................................................................13
Threading Preparation........................................................................................ 13
Threading Your Baby Lock ................................................................................. 13
Locked Position for Threading............................................................................ 13
Thread Stand and Thread Port Reference Chart.............................................. 13
Chain Looper ........................................................................................................14
Chain/Cover Needles........................................................................................... 15
Left Needle - C-1.................................................................................... 15
Center Needle - C-2............................................................................... 15
Right Needle - C-3 ................................................................................. 15
How to Use the Needle Threader ....................................................................... 16
Front Cover Seam Guide .................................................................................... 16
Re-threading Looper ............................................................................................16
Start to Sew......................................................................................................... 17
To Chain-Off of the fabric.....................................................................................17
Table of Contents (Cont.)
CHAIN/COVER STITCH ............................................................................................ 18
Chain Stitching .............................................................................................. 18/19
Chain Stitch - Tension Adjustment...................................................... 19
Cover Stitch - Right Narrow - 3mm............................................................. 20/21
Cover Stitch Tension Adjustment......................................................... 21
Cover Stitch - Left Narrow - 3mm................................................................. 22/23
Cover Stitch Tension Adjustment......................................................... 23
Cover Stitch - Wide - 6mm............................................................................. 24/25
Cover Stitch Tension Adjustment......................................................... 25
Triple Cover Stitch - 6mm ............................................................................. 26/27
Triple Cover Stitch Tension Adjustment .............................................. 27
TECHNIQUES...............................................................................................................28
Turning Corners - Chain Stitch.......................................................................... 28
Turning Corners - Cover Stitch .......................................................................... 28
Flat Hemming - Cover Stitch ............................................................................. 29
Hemming in the Round - Cover Stitch............................................................... 29
Securing Chain and Cover Stitching.................................................................. 30
SPECIALTY THREADS............................................................................................... 31
Using Specialty Threads..................................................................................... 31
Lightweight Threads........................................................................................... 31
Mediumweight Threads...................................................................................... 31
Heavyweight Threads......................................................................................... 31
Bypassing the Threading Port............................................................................ 32
Looper Threading Tool........................................................................................ 33
Thread Cradle for Looper ................................................................................... 34
Specialty Thread Guide Chart ........................................................................... 35
MAINTENANCE .......................................................................................................... 36
Troubleshooting.............................................................................................. 36/37
Replacing Needles............................................................................................... 38
Replacing Light Bulb .......................................................................................... 39
Cleaning............................................................................................................... 40
TECHNICAL DATA...................................................................................................... 41
Technical data ..................................................................................................... 41
STITCH SELECTION CHART.................................................................................... 42
Chart for Stitch Selection Setting for Chain/Cover ................................................... 42
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How Your Machine Operates
Awareness of its simple operation will enable you to become more proficient in its use. Please read
all instructions before using your new machine.
Use one, two or three chain/cover stitch needles and one looper for a chain or cover stitch.
When forming a chain stitch, the chain needle thread catches the chain looper to form a straight
stitch on the top of your fabric and thread chain loops on the underside. Use 2 or 3 cover stitch
needles and the chain looper to form a double or triple row of straight stitching on the top and a
weave of thread on the underside of your fabric.
After setting up your machine for the first time, take a few moments to learn how it sews. Before
your machine is threaded, turn the handwheel toward you and watch the operation of the various
parts.
Overview of the Baby Lock
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1. Presser foot pressure adjusting screw
2. Machine lock button release lever
3. Machine lock button
4. Presser foot thread release lever*
5. Looper threading lever
6. Thread cutter
7. Needle height viewing area
8. Needle clamp screw
9. Needle plate
10. Snap-on presser foot
11. Side cover
12. Front table
13. Handwheel
14. Carrying handle
15. Stitch length dial
16. Accessory compartment & spool stand
17. Differential feed adjusting lever
18. Left needle tension dial
19. Center needle tension dial
20. Right needle tension dial
21. Looper tension dial
22. Needle drop drawer
23. Chain looper threading port
24. Telescopic thread guide and antenna
25. Power switch
26. Attachment screw holes
* Raising the presser foot releases needle
threads.
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Accessories
Your Baby Lock 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.
Accessory Number included Located in
Instruction manual 1 Packing box
Guide fixing screws for table 2 Accessory compartment
Lint brush/needle insert tool 1 Accessory compartment
Package of assorted sized needles 1 Accessory compartment
Schmetz ELx705CF
Allen screwdriver 1 Accessory compartment
Tweezers 1 Accessory compartment
Needle threader 1 Accessory compartment
Chain/Cover stitch needle screws 2 Accessory compartment
Accessory adapter(for Optional Accessories) 1 Accessory compartment
Looper threading tool 1 Accessory packet
Screwdriver 1 Accessory packet
Machine cover 1 Accessory packet
Mounting bolt with washer(U.S.A. only) 1 Accessory packet
Thread nets 4 Accessory packet
Spool caps 4 Accessory packet
Sponge disks 4 Accessory packet
Cone holders 4 On machine
Your Baby Lock is set up with Schmetz ELx705CF needles size 90/14. This is suitable for most
medium and heavyweight fabrics. For lightweight fabrics use size 80/12, ELx705CF needles. The
ELx705CF needle is a semi-ballpoint design and is suitable for knits and wovens.
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Needles
Thread
All types of thread may be used on your Baby Lock, but 100% long-staple polyester thread, crosswound on a cone, consistently provides the best stitch performance. Because the threads must
pass through several thread guides at high speeds, they must be of uniform thickness and high
strength with a minimum amount of linting.
Good-quality cotton or cotton-covered polyester threads sew well, though they produce more lint,
creating the need to clean the machine more frequently. Poor grades of thread can result in frequent fraying, breaking and unbalanced stitches.
Threads of other fiber contents and weights may be used, depending on their strength and thickness. Testing will help you determine how easily they can pass through the thread guides, thread
slots, needles and loopers.
Important Note: For maximum performance of the Baby Lock, it is recommended to use "100%
polyester-long fiber thread". Recommended brands are Maxi-Lock and Metrosene. This thread
also performs best when used with many decorative threads for sewing specialty decorative techniques.
Optional Accessories
CHAIN/COVER STITCH OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES
Belt Loop Folder (3/4" & 1-1/2")-(19mm & 38mm)
Double Fold Bias Binder (1-1/8" & 1-3/8")-(28mm & 36mm)
Elastic Gatherer Bracket
Elastic Guide for Gatherer Bracket (1/4", 3/8" & 1/2")-(7.5mm, 10mm, & 13mm)
Fabric Guide
Pintuck Foot with 2 guides
Plain Hemmer (1/4" & 1/2")-(7mm & 13mm)
Single Downturn Feller (1/4", 5/8" & 1")-(7mm, 16mm & 25mm)
Knit / Woven Double Fold Bias Binder (8mm, 10mm, &15mm)
NOTE:
Use the front two Attachment Screw Holes for the Knit / Woven Double Fold Bias Binder.
Use the back two Attachment Screw Holes with the Accessory Adapter for the Optional
Accessories.
These optional accessories are available at your Baby Lock retailer.
Accessory Adapter
Place Accessory Adapter over the back two holes of the front cover table.
Place the accessory bracket on top of the Accessory Adapter.
Insert the Guide Fixing Screws to hold the Accessory Adapter and Accessory in
place.
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1. Remove machine from box
After removing the packing materials from
the box, gently lift your Baby Lock by grasping the handle provided on the top of the
machine. Place the machine on a sewing
table or any level surface that provides
ample work area to the left. Place the foot
controller in a pedal stay, if desired, and
place it under the sewing table.
2. Plug in the machine
Plug the power cord into the machine first,
then into a wall outlet. The power switch is
located toward the back on the right side of
the machine. Always make sure the power is
off when the machine is not in use (fig. A).
Available foot controller for U.S.A.: Model
YC-482 or YC-420W.
3. Polarized plug
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.
4. Foot controller
The sewing speed of the machine is determined by the amount of pressure applied to
the foot controller. When not in use, do not
place anything on the foot controller, or the
machine could start inadvertently and the
controller or motor could burn out.
Setting Up Your Baby Lock
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Setting Up Your Baby Lock
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5. Position the telescopic thread guide.
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Raise the telescopic thread guide to its
highest position. Rotate the shaft to the
left and right until each section "clicks" into
a locked position (fig. B).
6. Opening Front table
To open the front table, place your thumb
against the tab, and slide the cover to the
right. A slight pull toward you will allow
the cover to swing down, providing access
to the chain looper.
(fig. C).
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Side Cover
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Open side door on the left for easy access to
the chain looper thread tray.
Close door before sewing.
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Thread Cutter
Presser Foot Pressure
Adjustment
Snap-On Presser Foot
Presser Foot
Release Lever
There is a thread cutter located on the left side of your machine. At
the end of a seam, sew off the fabric edge and continue sewing to
create a 5 - 6 inch(12 - 15cm) thread chain.
Bring the chain of thread up and back and pull forward into the
thread cutter.
The presser foot pressure has been preset at the factory and rarely
needs adjustment. You may find it necessary, however, to decrease
the pressure for thick fabrics or increase pressure for thin fabrics to
feed more smoothly under the foot. Use a coin to turn the screw on
top of the machine.
To increase pressure, turn the pressure adjusting screw clockwise.
To decrease pressure, turn the screw counterclockwise.
The Baby Lock has the convenience of a snap-on presser foot.
To Release:
1. Raise the presser foot lever. This will also lower the feed dogs out
of the way.
2. Raise the needles to the highest position.
3. Push the presser foot release lever located at the back of the
presser foot holder.
4. Slide the presser foot to the left of the needles.
To Replace:
1. Raise the presser foot lever.This will also lower the feed dogs out
of the way.
2. Raise the needles to the highest position.
3. Slide the foot from the left to right.
4. Align the bar to the foot with the groove in the holder.
5. Lower the presser foot lever to snap into place.
6. Turn the hand wheel counter clockwise to engage the feed dogs in
the up position.
The raised markings on the toe of the foot are seam line guides. They indicate the needle posi
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tions to help guide your fabric for accurate seaming.
Stitch Length
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The stitch length adjusting dial is conveniently located just to the left of the
front cover, near the base plate (fig. A).
The dial shows the stitch-length ranging from 1, for the shortest stitch, to 4
for the longest.
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on the machine. A stitch length of 3mm, or about 10 stitches per inch is ideal for most fabrics.
For seaming very lightweight fabrics, you may prefer a shorter stitch length. When sewing heavier fabrics, you may choose to lengthen the stitch (fig. B).
ferential Feed
Dif
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 (fig. A)
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.
applications (fig. B).
This is the setting to use for most fabrics and
B
Simply turn the dial aligning the
desired setting with the indicator mark
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When the dial is set above "N", the front feed dog will feed more fabrics than the back. This is because the front feed dog moves at a
greater distance than the back feed dogs. As a result, the fabric
becomes compressed or eased, as the diagram on the front cover
indicates. This can eliminate wavy seams in stretchy fabrics or those
cut on the bias grain.
At the maximum setting of 2.0 (fig. C), the differential feed can gather a lightweight fabric to nearly double fullness (fig. D).
The front feed dog is actually feeding in twice as much fabric as the
back feed dog is feeding out. To maximize the gathering effects, use
the longest stitch length setting. Fabric weight will affect the gathering. Test stitch for desired results.
When the differential feed lever is set below "N" (fig. F), the front feed
dog moves less distance than the back feed dog. This adjustment
stretches the fabric slightly as it is sewn. The lower settings prevent
puckers on lightweight fabric (fig. E).
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The chain looper dial is color coded blue for easy identification. The tension settings range from 0
to 9. The fabric, thread and stitch that you are working with will determine what the tension setting will be. Be sure to sew test after changing the settings.
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Needle Tension Dials
From left to right the dials are:
Red for C1 chain needle, Yellow for C2 chain needle and Green for C3 chain needle.
The tension settings range from 0 to 9. The fabric and thread that you are working with will deter
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mine what the tension setting will be. Be sure to sew test after changing the settings.
Chain Looper Tension Dial
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