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Brother XL-5700 Mechanical Sewing Machine Questions & Answers
Fabric does not feed through machine
When you sew the machine must be set at the correct settings. If your machine won't straight stitch, turn it off at the power point and then turn it back on. Most machines reset to the default straight stitch setting. Secondly when you sew the presser foot must be down. This engages the "feed dogs" or the triangular looking "teeth" below the presser foot. As you sew, the feed dogs grab the two layers of fabric pulling them through, the thread above (spool) and the thread below (bobbin) meet to form the stitch. Finally, maybe fiddling around with dials and settings you may have dropped, or disengaged the feed dogs. Check with your manual on how to re-engage the feed dogs. Hope this helps and happy sewing. Remember, when all else fails..... read the manual.
Is there a video tutorial on cleaning the tension knob?
I doubt it. The knob would just wipe off with a damp cloth, most likely.
If you want to clean the disks, they're under the front cover, and you'd void the warranty by taking the cover off. See where there's a U turn in the thread pattern, just before you take it up to the thread takeup lever (the nodding donkey thing)? The tension disks are under that.
Raise the presser foot and get a length of thread -- oh half a meter/20" or so long, and tie overhand knots in it about 3" apart. Dip the thread in rubbing alcohol or unflavored vodka. Floss that knotted thread through the disks, and it'll probably be clean enough for most purposes.
Use good thread in your machine -- it pays off in better performance and less cleaning needed. See: http://sewing.about.com/library/weekly/aa102100a.htm
Constant problems with tension and the thread breaking from the top threader
check your thread spool for a snag on the plastic. Sometimes thread will catch on that "thread keeper" and once it catches and jerks free, it can cause the spool to spin the other way thus winding the thread on the spool pin. Another thing to check is to make SURE that when you thread the upper thread that the pressure foot is UP. While you have the pressure foot open, run a piece of unwaxed dental thread through your tension discs. Also make sure that your needle is large enough for your thread. To test this take another needle of the same size as the one in the machine and clip a piece of thread about 6 inches long. Thread the needle ... grasp the tread by both ends... tip the thread side to side... if the needle doesn't move well, your needle is too small. If it moves well but not too loose...it fine.
How do I un-attach the
I just looked at your manual, and if you look at page 9 you will see the little lever in back of the foot adaptor to release, just push that to release that foot. If, you have any questions on it, take it to your dealer or just go to JoAnn fabrics and have them show you. Even Sears sewing department is great for demos. Unless your machine is not an XL 5700 it does have snap on presser feet. You will see how really easy it is to do once someone shows. Good luck and have fun with it, Happy Easter
The top thread is tight
It is in your top threading. Insert new needle (flat side facing rear of machine), totally rethread and make sure that your thread is not old or tangled and of decent quality. Now, with the presser foot up, pull top thread, then put the presser foot down, pull the thread again, it should barely move. This usually seats the thread in the tension discs. If, that does not work, it may be your timing and that is not a do it yourself job, unfortunately.
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