INSTRUCTION BOOK Model DC 3018
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS When using an electrical appliance, basic safety precautions should always be followed, including the followings: Read all instructions before using this appliance. DANGER— To reduce the risk of electric shock: 1. 2. An appliance should never be left unattended when plugged in. Always unplug this sewing machine from the electric outlet immediately after using and before cleaning. Always unplug before replacing a sewing machine bulb.
TABLE OF CONTENTS KNOW YOUR MACHINE Button Sewing ........................................................ Zipper Sewing ........................................................ Attaching the zipper foot ...................................... Fabric preparation for zipper sewing .................... To sew .................................................................. Blind Hem ............................................................... Name of Parts ...............................................
KNOW YOUR MACHINE Name of Parts 8 7 6 9 10 5 11 4 12 3 13 2 14 1 15 23 22 21 19 20 18 16 17 24 25 26 29 27 38 28 30 37 31 36 32 35 33 34 40 39 2 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40.
Standard Accessories The standard accessories are stored in the extension table. q Extension table q w Standard accessories w 1 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.
GETTING READY TO SEW Connecting the Power Supply Turn off the power switch. Insert the foot control plug into the machine socket. Insert the machine plug into the machine socket. Insert the power supply plug into the wall outlet. Turn on the power switch.
r e w q t Function Buttons and Keys q q Reverse button When stitch pattern 01, 02, 10 or 11 has been selected, the machine will sew in reverse while the reverse button is pressed. If you press the reverse button when sewing any other stitches, the machine will immediately sew locking stitches and automatically stop.
r Mode key r Each time you press this key the mode will change in the following order: (1) Pattern selection mode The green light on the top will be on. To select the pattern, press the key until the pattern number of the desired stitch is indicated (see the stitch chart below). (1) 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 A A A A A A A A C A 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 G F F F F R R R (2) (2) Stitch width adjusting mode The green light in the middle will light up.
Dropping the Feed Dog The feed dog can be lowered by the drop feed lever for sewing on buttons etc. q Shift the drop-feed lever to the right to lower the feed dog. e w Shift the lever to the left to raise the feed dog, it will return to the up position when the machine is started. q Down position w Up position e Feed dog r Hand wheel r NOTE: The feed dog should be in the up position for regular sewing.
Raising and Lowering the Presser Foot The Presser foot lifter raises and lowers the presser foot. You can raise the presser foot about 6 mm (1/4") higher than the normal up position by exerting more pressure when lifting the presser foot lifter. This allows for easy removal of the presser foot and helps you to place thick fabric under the foot.
Changing Needles CAUTION: Always make sure to turn the power switch off and disconnect the machine from power supply before changing the needle. Raise the needle by pressing the up/down needle button and lower the presser foot. Turn off the power switch. q 1 2 1 Loosen the needle clamp screw by turning it counterclockwise. Remove the needle from the clamp. w q Needle clamp screw 2 Insert a new needle into the needle clamp with the flat side of the needle to the rear.
Winding the Bobbin 1 q Removing the bobbin 2 1 Slide the hook cover plate release button to the right, and remove the hook cover plate. q Hook cover plate release button w Hook cover plate e w 2 Lift out the bobbin from the bobbin holder. e Bobbin Setting the spool of thread Lift up the spool pin. Place the spool of thread on the spool pin with the thread coming off the spool as shown. q Large spool holder q Attach the large spool holder, and press it firmly against the spool of thread.
Inserting the bobbin 1 Place the bobbin in the bobbin holder with the thread running off counterclockwise. q Thread w Bobbin holder q 1 w 2 2 Guide the thread into the notch on the front of the bobbin holder. e Notch on the front e 3 3 Draw the thread to the left, sliding it between the tension spring blades. r Spring blades r 4 4 Continue to draw the thread lightly until the thread slips into the notch on the side. t Notch on the side t 5 y 5 Pull out about 10 cm (4") of thread to the rear.
Threading the Machine Raise the presser foot. Press the Up/Down needle button to raise the thread take-up lever to its highest position. q 1 2 4 1 Draw the thread from the spool. Hold the upper thread at the spool with your finger. q Hold the thread 3 5 2 Slip the thread under the thread guide from the right and down along the right channel. Be sure that the thread passes between the tension disks.
Built-in Needle Threader 1 Raise the needle to its highest position by turning the hand wheel toward you. Turn the power switch off. Lower the presser foot. Depress the needle threader knob as far as it will go. The hook comes out through the needle eye from behind. q Needle threader knob w Hook 1 q w 2 Draw the thread down around the threader guide and under the hook. e Threader guide 2 r 3 Release the threader knob slowly while holding the thread end with your hand.
BASIC STITCHES Straight Stitch w q Machine Settings q Pattern: #01 w Presser foot: Zigzag foot A To sew Raise the presser foot and position the fabric next to a seam guide line on the needle plate. Lower the needle into the fabric where you wish to start. Pull the needle and bobbin threads to the back. Lower the presser foot. Depress the foot control to start sewing. Gently guide the fabric along the seam guide line. Changing sewing direction: Stop the machine a few stitches before the end of a seam.
Altering the stitch length The stitch length can be altered between 0.0 and 5.0. Press the mode key to activate stitch length adjustment (the bottom green light lights up). The preset value 2.2 will be indicated. Press the plus (+) key to increase the stitch length. Press the minus (–) key to decrease the stitch length.
Using the seam guide lines The seam guides on the needle plate and hook cover help you to measure seam allowances. w e NOTE: The number indicates the distance from the center needle position. q Guide lines w Center needle position e Edge of the fabric q Number 15 20 Distance (cm) 1.5 2.0 Distance (inch) 4/8 5/8 6/8 4/8 5/8 6/8 To sew from the edge of thick fabric: The black button on the zigzag foot locks the foot in the horizontal position.
Variety of Straight Stitches and Recommended Foot #01, #02 Straight stitch: Zigzag foot A Pattern #01 is for seaming and for zipper sewing. Pattern #02 is for seaming the edge of fabrics. #03 Lock-a-matic stitch: Zigzag foot A Use this stitch to secure the beginning and the end of a seam with backstitching. When you reach the end of the seam, press the Reverse Button once. The machine will sew four reverse stitches, four forward stitches, and then stop sewing automatically.
Zigzag Stitch q Machine Settings q Pattern: #07 w Presser foot: Zigzag foot A w 7 The zigzag stitch is used for various sewing needs including overcasting. It can be used on most woven fabrics. A dense zigzag stitch can also be used for appliqué. Altering the stitch width The stitch width can be altered between 0.0 and 7.0. Press the mode key to activate stitch length adjustment (the middle green light lights up). The preset value "5.0" will be indicated.
Variety of Overcasting Stitches CAUTION: When you use the overedge foot C, you must set the zigzag width at 5.0 or wider to prevent the needle from hitting the wires on the foot. Overcasting with zigzag stitch q w 7 Machine Settings q Pattern: #07 w Presser foot: Zigzag foot A or Overedge foot C (optional item) Place the fabric edge next to the guide of the foot and then sew. q Guide NOTES: The overedge foot is an optional item.
Buttonholes Variety of buttonholes #16 Square buttonhole This square buttonhole is widely used on medium to heavy weight fabrics. The buttonhole size is automatically determined by placing a button in the rear of the foot. #17 Round-end buttonhole This buttonhole is used on fine to medium weight fabrics especially for blouses and children’s clothes. 1 #18 Keyhole buttonhole The Keyhole Buttonhole is widely used on medium to heavy weight fabrics. It is also suitable for larger and thicker buttons.
To sew 1 1 Press the up/down needle button to raise the needle. Attach the automatic buttonhole foot R snapping the pin into the groove of the foot holder. q Groove w Pin 2 Pull the button holder to the back, and place the button in it. Push it together tightly to the button. q w 2 NOTE: If the button is extremely thick, make a test buttonhole on an extra piece of the fabric.
5 5 Start the machine to sew the buttonhole. The buttonhole will be automatically sewn. Step 1: The machine will sew the front bartack and the left row first. Then it goes back to the starting point with straight stitch. Step 2: The machine will sew the right row. Step 3: The machine will sew the back bartack. Step 4: The machine will stop automatically and a dot will blink. !2 Blinking dot Step 1 Å´ Step 2 Å´ Step 3 To sew another buttonhole, raise the presser foot.
Altering the buttonhole width Press the mode key to activate the stitch width adjustment. Press the plus (+) key to increase the buttonhole width. Press the minus (–) key to decrease the buttonhole width. q Narrower buttonhole w Wider buttonhole q w * The width can be altered between 2.5 and 7.0. Altering the buttonhole stitch density Press the mode key to activate the stitch length adjustment. Press the plus (+) key to make the stitch sparser. Press the minus (–) key to make the stitch denser.
Round-end and keyhole buttonholes w q 1 Machine settings q Stitch pattern: #17 or #18 w Foot: Automatic buttonhole foot R 1 Sewing procedure is the same as for the square buttonhole #16. q Starting point w Bartacking 1 w 1 q w q Altering the buttonhole width Round-end buttonhole Press the mode key to activate the stitch width adjustment. Press the plus (+) key to increase the buttonhole width. Press the minus (–) key to decrease the buttonhole width.
Corded buttonhole q Machine Settings q Pattern: #16 w Presser foot: Automatic buttonhole foot R w To sew a corded buttonhole, follow the same procedure as for a sensor buttonhole. 1 1 With the automatic buttonhole foot R raised, hook the filler cord on the spur on the back of the buttonhole foot. 2 q 3 2 Bring the ends of cord toward you under the buttonhole foot clearing the front end. Hook the ends of the filler cord into the forks on the front of the buttonhole foot to hold them tight.
Button Sewing q Machine Settings q Pattern: #07 w Presser foot: Satin stitch foot F e Feed dog: Dropped w 7 e Unthread the needle thread. Adjust the stitch width so that the needle enters both holes in the button. Place a button on the fabric and lower the needle by turning the handwheel, so that the needle enters into the left hole in the button. Align the holes in the button with the slot on the foot and lower it to hold the button in place.
Zipper Sewing q Machine Settings 1 Pattern: #01 2 Presser foot: Zipper foot E w CAUTION: When sewing with the zipper foot, make sure to use pattern "01 (straight stitch with the center needle position). Otherwise the needle may hit the foot and possibly break. Attaching the zipper foot (A) Attach zipper foot E with the pin on the righthand side to the groove to sew the left side of the zipper.
2 2 Set the stitch length back to “2.2” and thread tension to "A". Attach zipper foot E with the pin on the righthand side. Sew through the fold and zipper tape guiding the zipper teeth along the edge of the foot. 3 3 Stop sewing 5 cm (2") before the foot reaches the slider on the zipper tape. Lower the needle slightly into the fabric. Raise the foot and open the zipper. Lower the foot and stitch the remainder of the seam.
Blind Hem Machine settings q Stitch pattern: #11 w Foot: Blind hem foot G (optional item) w q NOTE: The blind hem foot is an optional item. Starting to sew 1 On heavy weight fabrics that ravel, the raw edge should be overcast first. Fold the hem leaving a 0.4 – 0.7 cm margin as illustrated. q Wrong side of fabric w 0.4~0.7 cm (1/8”~1/4”) 1 w w q q 2 Place the fabric so the needle just pierces the edge of the fold when the needle swings to the left. Lower the presser foot.
DECORATIVE STITCHES Knit Stitch q 0 Machine Settings q Pattern: #10 w Presser foot: Zigzag foot A w This stitch is recommended for sewing such fabrics as synthetic knits and stretch velour as it provides the greatest amount of elasticity and strength. Sew along the fabric edge leaving an adequate seam allowance. After sewing, trim off the seam allowance close to the stitches.
Applique Sewing Machine Settings q Pattern: #15 w Presser foot: Satin stitch foot F w q 15 Place the applique on the fabric and baste it in place. Sew, guiding the edge of the applique along the slit on the foot, so that the needle falls off the edge of the applique when it swings to the right. NOTE: When changing the sewing direction at a corner or curve, lower the needle into the applique at the left swing and turn the fabric to a new direction.
Pattern Combination Machine Settings q Pattern: #13 and #14 (example) w Presser foot: Satin stitch foot F w q 13 14 To combine 2 units of pattern #13 and one unit of pattern #14: 1 1 Sew pattern #13 and press the auto-lock button while sewing the second unit. The machine will stop automatically when the second unit is completed. q Auto-lock button 2 3 q 2 Select pattern #14. Press the auto-lock button and start sewing. 3 Machine will sew one unit of pattern #14 and stop automatically.
Correcting Distorted Stretch Patterns The sewing results of the stretch patterns may vary depending upon the sewing conditions, such as sewing speed, type of the fabric, number of layers etc. Always test sew on a scrap piece of the fabric that you wish to use. If stretch stitch patterns are distorted, correct it with the feed balancing dial.
Cleaning the Hook Race WARNING: Turn the power switch off and unplug the machine before cleaning. e 1 NOTE: Do not dismantle the machine in any way other than what is explained in this section. q w 1 Remove the setscrew on the needle plate with a screwdriver. Remove the needle plate. q Screwdriver w Setscrew e Needle plate 2 2 Take out the bobbin. Lift up the bobbin holder and remove it. r Bobbin holder r 3 t 3 Clean the bobbin holder with a lint brush.
Problems and Warning Signals If a buzzer sounds and the indicator shows a warning sign, follow the guidance below. Problem Try this The power is turned on with the foot control not being connected. Connect the foot control and restart the machine. Warning signal The foot control is disconnected while sewing. The machine is re-started too soon after it has halted due to the overload. Wait for at least 15 seconds to restart. If threads are jamming, remove jammed threads.
Troubleshooting Cause 1. The needle thread is not threaded properly. 2. The needle thread tension is too tight. 3. The needle is bent or blunt. 4. The needle is incorrectly inserted. 5. The needle thread and the bobbin thread are not set properly under (drawn to the rear of) the presser foot when sewing is starting. 6. The fabric is not drawn to the rear when sewing is finished. 7. The thread is too heavy or too fine for the needle. 1. The bobbin thread is not threaded properly in the bobbin holder. 2.
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