Baby Lock Imagine BLE3ATW Instruction and Reference Guide

"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 machine should never be left unattended when plugged in. Always unplug this 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 watt (10 watts 230 volt

s in 220V/240V area.)

s/110 volts in 110V/120V area.

WARNING-

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 att 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.

To reduce the risk of burns, fire, electric shock, or injury to persons.

achments recommended

"SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS"

"This overlock machine is intended for household use."

The Baby Lock Imagine Wave has an exclusive "Thread Delivery System" that eliminates confusing ten-

sion adjustments. The Imagine Waveenables you to accomplish a perfect stitch with any type of thread on any type of fabric. You no longer need to guess at the correct tension adjustments.

Your Baby Lock Imagine Wave 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 Imagine Wavehandles all varieties with equal ease. With the Baby Lock Imagine Waveyour creative options are endless and your time spent serging is more fulfilling and rewarding. With the "Instant Jet-Air Threading", even threading the Imagine Wave is a breeze.

With proper care and maintenance, your Baby Lock

Imagine Wave 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 Imagine W

ave and expand your sewing horizons. For additional product information and updates, visit our website at www. babylock. com. Happy Sewing!

C O N G R A

I O N S

Welcome to the Baby Lock Imagine Wave

ave

Table of Contents

C O N

T E N

T S

OVERVIEW.............................................................................................................................. 4

How Your Serger Operates........................................................................................... 4

Overview of the Imagine Wave..................................................................................... 5

ACCESSORIES ...................................................................................................................... 6

Needles.........................................................................................................................7

Thread........................................................................................................................... 7

Optional Accessories..................................................................................................... 7

SERGER SET UP ................................................................................................................... 8

Setting Up Your Imagine Wave.................................................................................. 8/9

Threading your Imagine Wave....................................................................................10

Locked Position for

Lower Looper.............................................................................................................. 10

Upper looper................................................................................................................ 11

Right Needle ...............................................................................................................

Left Needle.................................................................................................................. 13

Needle

Looper Thread Fine-Tuning Screw.............................................................................. 13

SERGING WITH FABRIC.....................................................................................................14

Clearing the Stitch Fingers.......................................................................................... 14

Thread Delivery System.............................................................................................. 15

Stitch Selector.............................................................................................................15

Wave Selector............................................................................................................. 15

Rethreading Loopers................................................................................................... 15

Rethreading Needles .................................................................................................. 15

MACHINE SETTINGS........................................................................................................... 16

Stitich Length / Rolled Hem.........................................................................................

Stitch Width.................................................................................................................16

Differential feed...........................................................................................................17

Disengaging the Upper Cutting Blade......................................................................... 18

Presser Foot Pressure Adjustment............................................................................. 18

Snap-On Presser Foot................................................................................................ 18

Threader ......................................................................................................... 13

Threading .................................................................................... 10

4-THREAD OVERLOCK....................................................................................................... 19

3-THREAD OVERLOCK....................................................................................................... 20

3-Thread Overlock - Wide............................................................................................ 20

3-Thread Overlock - Narrow......................................................................................... 21

3-Thread Overlock - Narrow Hemming ........................................................................ 22

3-Thread Flatlock ........................................................................................................ 24

2-THREAD OVERLOCK....................................................................................................... 25

Converting from 3-Thread Overlock to 2-Thread Overlock.........................................25

Flatlock Seams

Flatlock "Topstitching" ................................................................................................. 28

Blind Hemming............................................................................................................ 29

Blanket Stitch ............................................................................................................... 30

Ladder Stitch............................................................................................................... 31

Returning to 3 or 4-thread Overlock............................................................................ 32

VE STITCH

Converting from Normal Serging.................................................................................. 33

3-Thread Wave Stitch................................................................................................... 34

3-Thread Rolled Wave S

....................................................................................................... 26/27

....................................................................................................................... 33

titch........................................................................................ 35

ROLLED EDGING ................................................................................................................. 23

3-Thread Rolled Edge.................................................................................................. 23

Seaming Sheers........................................................................................................... 36

Lettuce Edge................................................................................................................ 36

Belt Loops and Button Loops

....................................................................................... 36

Returning to Standard Serging..................................................................................... 36

BASIC SERGING TECHNIQUES.......................................................................................... 37

Overedging................................................................................................................... 37

Seaming....................................................................................................................... 37

Securing End........................................................................................................... 38/39

Turning Outside Corners

.............................................................................................. 40

Turning Inside Corners................................................................................................. 40

Serging Curves............................................................................................................. 41

Inserting Tapes............................................................................................................. 41

USING SPECIALTY THREADS.............................................................................................42

Threading Lightweight Thread...................................................................................... 42

Changing Threads........................................................................................................ 42

Threading Mediumweight Thread.................................................................................

Thread Cradle .............................................................................................................. 43

Looper Threading Tool

................................................................................................. 44

Bypassing the Threading Port...................................................................................... 45

Specialty

Thread Guide Chart................................................................................. 46/47

MAINTENANCE..................................................................................................................... 48

Replacing Needles

....................................................................................................... 48

Replacing Cutting Blades............................................................................................. 48

Cleaning....................................................................................................................... 49

Replacing Light Bulb .................................................................................................... 49

TROUBLESHOOTING...................................................................................................... 50/51

TECHNICAL DATA................................................................................................................ 52

CHART FOR STITCH SELECTION SETTINGS................................................................... 53

T A B

L E

C O N

T E N

T S

Table of Contents (Cont.)

O V

How Your Serger Operates

E V

Sometimes called an overlock machine or overlocker, the serger is different from any conventional sewing machine you have used. Awareness of its simple operation will enable you to become more proficient in its use. Please read all instructions before using your new machine.

Serging is kind of a knitting process that loops two, three or four threads together to create a stitch. Your Baby Lock Imagine Wave operates with one or two needles and one or two "loopers," each carrying a thread, that take the place of a bobbin.

When fabric is placed into the machine, it reaches the feed dogs first. The feed dogs move the fabric along as the cutting blades trim the edge, creating a clean edge to be finished. Then the loopers and needle(s) form the stitch on the fabric edge, supported by one or more parallel "stitch fingers" - Met keep the fabric flat. The threads become "locked" over the fabric and the resulting stitches encase the raw edge with thread to prevent fabric raveling.

After setting up your machine for the first time, t serger is threaded, turn the handwheel - toward you - and watch the movement and operation of the various p presser foot.

arts. Don't bother with fabric at first. It doesn't hurt your serger to stitch without fabric under the

ake a few moments to learn how it sews. Before your

al prongs that

O V E R V

Overview of the Imagine Wave

31 32

1. Presser foot thread release lever* 17. Machine lock button

2. Thread cutter 18. Looper threading lever

3. Needle threader lever 19. Differential feed adjusting lever

4. Needle height viewing area 20. Handwheel

5. Needle clamp screw 21. Lower looper threading port

6. Snap-on presser foot 22. Power switch

7. Needle plate 23. Looper threader selector

8. Side cover 24. Accessory compartment & spool stand

9. Stitch width adjusting dial 25. Stitch selector

10. Cutting blade lock switch 26. wave selector

11. S

titch length/rolled hem adjusting dial 27. Upper looper threading port

12. Cutting blade cover 28. Looper thread fine-tuning screw

13. Needle drop drawer 29.

Telescopic thread guide and antenna

14. Subsidiary looper 30. Carrying handle

15. Front cover 31. Needle threader selector

16. Machine lock button release lever 32. Presser foot pressure adjusting screw

* Raising the presser foot releases all threads.

Accessories

C E S S O R

I E S

Your Baby Lock Imagine Wave 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.

Accessory Number included Located in

Instruction manual 1 Packing box Quick reference threading guide 1 Packing box Instruction video tape (U.S.A. only) 1 Packing box Lint brush/needle insert tool 1 Accessory compartment Needle clamp screw 2 Accessory compartment Package of assorted sized needles

Schmetz or Organ HAx1SP/CR Medium screwdriver 1 Accessory compartment Tweezers Upper cutting blade for replacement 1 Accessory compartment Looper threading tool 1 Accessory p 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 Allen wrench 1 Accessory packet Cone holders 4 On machine

1 Accessory compartment

acket

Accessory packet

Your Baby Lock Imagine serger is set up with 90/14 machine needles, which are suitable for most medium and heavyweight fabrics. For lightweight fabrics, change to a size 75/11 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. For best results, use Schmetz or Organ brand needles - system HAx1SP/CR, and replace them approximately every third project (see page 44).

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 sever

al 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.

They work well for overedging and seaming, but they may be too weak or too fuzzy for the rolled edge. Poor grades of these threads 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. for more information, see page 46 and 47.

Important Note: For maximum performance of the Baby Lock Imagine Wave, 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 serging specialty decorative techniques.

There are optional snap-on specialty feet available for the Imagine. The optional accessories are available at your Baby Lock Dealer.

・Elastic Applicator Foot B5002S01A-E (BLE-EF) ・Blindhem B5002S02A-E (BLE-BLHFS) ・Beading Foot B5002-01A-C-E (BLE-BF) ・Piping Foot (3mm) B5002-02A-C-E (BLE-CF3) ・Piping Foot (5mm) B5002-03A-C-E (BLE-CF5) ・Ruffling Foot B5002-01A-C-E (BLE-RF) ・Lace Applicator Foot B5002S05A-E (BLE-LF) ・Bulb Remover Tool B7525-01A (262011) ・Size 90 Top Stitch Needle (T-90B)

A C C E S S O R

I E S

Needles

Thread

Optional

Accessories

B C

Setting Up Your Imagine Wave

R G E R

S E

U P

After removing the packing materials from the box, gently lift your Baby Lock serger by gasping 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. Place the foot controller in a pedal stay, if desired, and place it under the sewing table. 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 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. 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 (fig.A). Raise the telescopic thread guide to its highest position of 14". Rotate the shaft to the left and right until each section "clicks" into a locked position (fig.B). The front cover may be opened simply by placing your fingers behind the tab at the right side and pulling toward you (fig.C). To open the cutting blade cover, place your thumb against the tab, and slide the cover to the right. A pull forward will allow the cover to swing down, providing access to the loopers, blades, and thread guides (fig.D).

slight

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 (fig.A).

Because threads for the serger feed from the top, standard spool threads can snag on the rough edges of many of these spools. That's why spool caps are furnished with your Imagine Wave to provide a smooth surface that enables the thread to reel off freely

. With the spool notch side down, insert a spool cap into the top of the spool (fig.B).

When using standard spool threads on your serger

, replace the cone holders with the sponge disks furnished with your machine. These disks hold smaller spools securely and help the thread to reel off properly

. With the sponge disk in place, put the capped spool on

the spindle (fig.C). Thread nets may be placed over threads that tend to slip of

f the bottom of the spool during sewing. Most threads do not require their use, but nets often are necessary with nylon, rayon or silk threads (fig.D). Once it's on the spool, fold the net back on itself, if necessary, to enable the thread to feed smoothly without snagging on the net (fig.E).

S E R G E R

S E

U P

Setting Up Your Imagine Wave

S E

Threading Your Imagine Wave

R G E R

S E

U P

Your Baby Lock Imagine Wave 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. If a looper thread breaks or runs out, just re-thread it. There is no need to follow threading sequence.

Locked Position for Threading

1. Open the front cover.

2. Raise the presser foot to release all threads.

3. Depress the machine lock button firmly. Rot button "snaps" into the locked position and the lock button release lever moves to the far lef

Note: The Imagine Wave must be in the locked position when threading the loopers unless otherwise indicated. The machine in Locked Position also sets the needle position for using the Needle threader This is also a safety feature when threading as the machine cannot sew while in locked position.

ate the machine handwheel slowly toward you until the

t (fig.A).

Lower Looper

1. With the presser foot up and machine lock button in the locked position (fig. A) . Set the threading port selector lever to "L" for lower looper threading (fig. B).

2. Place the thread cone or spool on the Lower Looper spool pin on the thread stand. Slip the thread into the telescopic antenna thread guide "1" directly above the spool, snap into the thread guide "2" at the top of the machine, through the slot on the front cover. (See fig. C page 11)

3. Pull 18 inches (40cm) of thread through guide "3". Insert the end of the thread into the threading port "L" about 1 inch (2.5cm) . Use tweezers if necessary, to insert the thread end more easily.

4. Depress the looper threading lever (fig. D page 11) . If the thread does not go through the lower looper eye with one push, depress the threading lever again until it does.

5. Clip the thread 4 inches (10cm) from the lower looper eye and leave it hanging loose.

6. Move the lock button release lever to the right.

Lock Button Release Lever

Machine Lock Button

Looper Threader Selector

1. With the presser foot up and machine lock button in the locked position, see fig. A, page 10, set the threading port selector lever to "U" for upper looper threading. See fig. B, page 10.

2. Place the thread on the Upper Looper spool pin on the thread stand. Slip the thread into the telescopic antenna thread guide "A" directly above the spool, snap into the thread guide "B", at the top of the front cover, through the slot on the front cover. See fig. C, below.

3. Pull 18 inches (40cm) of thread through guide "C". Insert the end of the thread into the threading port "U", about 1 inch (2.5cm). Use tweezers, if necessary, to insert the thread end more easily. See fig. D below.

4. Depress the threading lever (fig. D below) . If the thread does not go through the upper looper eye with one push, depress the threading lever again until it does, and leave thread hanging loose.

5. Move the lock button release lever to the right.

*Be sure at least 1" of thread is inserted into the threading port.

S E R G E R

S E

U P

Upper Looper

Looper Threader Lever

1" (2.5cm)

18"(40cm

)

D,4

E,5

F,6

G,7

Right Needle

E R

S E

U P

1. Set the needle threader selector on "R" for right needle (fig.B page 13). Note: Be sure to push the needle threader selector all the way to R.

2. Place the thread on the second from left spindle on the thread stand (fig.A). Thread needle thread guides 1 and 2, through the groove on the face plate and through guides 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7. Pull a 6" length of thread through guide 7.

3. Lower the presser foot to engage the tensions.

4. Thread into eye of needle with the needle threader.

See the chart of needle threader page 13.

5. Continue pulling the thread loop manually through the needle eye until a single stand is threaded. Place the thread under the presser foot and to the left.

Handwheel

1.Set the needle threader selector on "L" for left needle.

2. Place the thread on the far-left spindle on the thread stand (fig.A page 12). Thread needle thread guides Aand B, through the groove on the face place and through guides C,D,E,F and G.

3. Lower the presser foot and thread the left needles as in steps 4 and 5, under "Right Needle."

1. Set the needle selector on "R" (right needle) or "L" (left needle).

2. Press the needle threader lever down (Fig. B) so that the hook goes into the eye of the needle. The hook will remain in the eye of the needle until you press the needle threader lever down again to release it.

3. Hold the needle thread horizontally with both hands and place the thread under the threader hook guides. (Fig.C)

4. Press the needle threader lever down again. (Fig.D) The hook will pull the thread through the eye of the needle as it is released.

NOTE: The machine in Locked Position also set

s the needle position for using the Needle

threader

This is also a safety feature when threading as the machine cannot sew while in locked position.

S E R G E R

S E

U P

Left Needle

Looper Thread Fine-Tuning Screw

No adjustments are needed when sewing with most fabrics and threads on your Baby Lock Imagine Wave, 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. With a screwdriver (found in accessory kit), turn the fine-tuning screw clockwise to tighten the looper threads. Turn the screw counter-clockwise to loosen the looper threads.

Ideal Stitch

Looper threads are

too loose.

Looper threads are

too tight.

Standard Position Tighten the screw ( + ) Loosen the screw ( - )

Needle

Threader

Needle Threader Selector

Needle threader Lever

S E

Serging with fabric

With the needle and upper 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 controller gently to begin a thread chain before serging fabric (fig.A).

You can leave the presser foot down for most serging applications. Just place the fabric at the toe of the presser foot. As you step on the foot controller, the feed dogs will begin moving the fabric toward the needle (fig.B). You need to raise and lower the foot only when working with thick, spongy or lofty fabrics, or when precise positioning is required.

Be careful not to push or pull the fabric. The Imagine Wave will feed it evenly without help. At the end of a seam, just sew off the fabric edge and continue serging to create 5" - 6" thread chain. Cut the thread chain with the thread cutter on the left side cover (fig.C).

F A B R

Clearing the Stitch Width Fingers

As you sew, you will discover that maneuvering the fabric is different from conventional sewing because the threads form around the stitch fingers (fig. A).

To clear the stitch fingers, simply raise the presser foot, which releas es all threads. Raise the needle(s). Then pull the threads gently from behind the foot (fig. B). The stitches are now released from the fingers (fig. C).

The Baby Lock Imagine Wave 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 Imagine Wave will automatically feed the correct amount of thread through the loopers and thread guides to form a perfect stitch every time.

The stitch selector controls the thread delivery system and is located on the right front side of the machine. To select a stitch setting, move the stitch selector lever to A, B, C, or D. A - For Wide Overlock Stitches. B - For Right Needle Wave Stitch, and right needle overlock stitches. C - For narrow stitches, and Rolled Wave Stitch using right needle. D - For 3-Thread Rolled Hem stitch. See chart on last page for stitch selection settings.

The Wave Selector dial shows "O" and "W". Select "O" for overlock stitching. Select "W" for wave stitching.

If a thread breaks, raise the presser foot and pull the broken thread out from under the foot. Open the front cover, depress the machine lock button and set the looper threader selector to U or L for the looper being threaded. Re-thread the machine above the threading port, leaving an 18inch (40cm) thread tail. Thread the looper as usual and move lock button release lever to the right. Close the front cover and sew a test sample. Refer to page 13 for further information.

Note: When re-threading your Baby Lock Imagine Wave 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.

If a needle thread breaks, raise the presser foot, remove the broken thread and rethread the needle thread guides. Open the front cover, depress the machine lock button. Select the "R" or "L" for the needle being rethreaded. Use the needle threader for exact and easier threading. Refer to pages 13 for further information.

S E R G

I N G

F A B R

Thread Delivery System

Stitch Selector

Re-threading Needles

Re-threading Loopers

B C

Wave Selector

B C

+ 39 hidden pages