IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS Your Elna 8600 embroidery sewing machine is designed and constructed for HOUSEHOLD use only. Read all instructions before using this machine. DANGER ­ To reduce the risk of electric shock: 1. Your sewing machine should never be left unattended when plugged in. Always unplug the machine from the electrical outlet immediately after using and before cleaning. 2. Always unplug before replacing light bulb. Replace bulb with same type rated 12 Volts, 5 watts. 3. Do not reach for the machine if it has fallen into water. Unplug immediately. 4. Do not place or store machine where it can fall or be pulled into a tub or sink. Do not place it in or drop it into water or other liquid. WARNING ­ To reduce the risk of burns, fire, electrical shock or injury: 1. Do not allow machine to be used as a toy. Supervision is necessary when this machine is used by or near children. 2. Use this sewing machine only for its intended use as described in this manual. Only use attachments recommended by the manufacturer as described in this manual. 3. Never operate this machine if it has a damaged cord or plug, is not working properly, has been dropped or damaged or dropped into water. Return the machine to the nearest authorized dealer or service center for examination, repair, electrical or mechanical adjustment. 4. This machine is equipped with a special connection cord which, if damaged, must be replaced by an identical cord. This can be obtained from your dealer. 5. Never operate the sewing machine with any air opening blocked. Keep ventilation openings of the sewing machine and foot control free from the accumulation of lint, dust and fibers. 6. Never drop or insert any object into any opening. 7. Do not use outdoors. 8. Do not operate where aerosol (spray) products are being used or where oxygen is being administered. 9. To disconnect, turn machine off and remove plug from outlet. 10. Do not unplug by pulling on cord. To unplug, grasp the plug, not the cord. 11. Keep fingers away from all moving parts, especially the needle. 12. Always use the proper needle plate. The wrong plate can cause the needle to break. 13. Do not use bent needles. 14. Do not pull or push fabric while stitching. This may deflect the needle causing it to break. 15. Switch the sewing machine off when making any adjustment in the needle area, such as threading needle, changing needle, threading bobbin, changing presser foot, etc. 16. Always unplug the sewing machine from the electrical outlet when removing covers, lubricating or making any other servicing adjustments mentioned in the instruction manual. SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS IMPORTANT Be sure to keep machine away from static electricity, heat sources, humidity and direct sunlight. USA only Your machine comes equipped with a polarized plug (one prong wider than the other). A polarized plug reduces the risk of electrical shock. This plug is intended to fit into a polarized outlet. If the plug does not fit fully into 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. Use only foot control 21371 (UL, CSA). 1 TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION I ­ Machine Parts and Functions Part Names ...................................................................... 3 Standard Accessories ................................................... 4-5 Presser Foot and Accessory Definitions ...................... 6-7 Extension Table and Free Arm ........................................ 8 Controlling Sewing Speed ............................................... 9 Foot Pressure Dial ........................................................... 9 How to Drop the Feed Dog ........................................... 10 Presser Foot Lever and Additional Presser Foot Clearance ........................................................ 10 Attaching and Removing Presser Feet ......................... 11 Attaching and Removing Shank .................................... 11 Seam Allowance Lines .................................................. 11 Needle Thread Tension ................................................. 12 Using the Fine Adjustment Screw ................................. 13 SECTION II ­ Getting Ready to Sew Connecting Machine to Power Supply .......................... 14 LCD Touch Screen ........................................................ 15 Main Function of Keys ................................................... 16 Operation Keys .............................................................. 17 SET Preference Keys ............................................... 18-20 How to Access On Screen Information ......................... 21 Selecting the Correct Needle and Thread .................... 22 Changing Needles ......................................................... 22 Needle Definitions ......................................................... 23 Winding a Bobbin ..................................................... 24-25 Additional Spool Pin ...................................................... 24 Inserting the Bobbin ...................................................... 26 Threading the Machine .................................................. 27 Built-in Needle Threader ............................................... 28 Drawing Up the Bobbin Thread ..................................... 29 Shell Tuck ...................................................................... 63 Twin Needle Sewing ................................................. 64-65 Satin Stitch Window Keys ............................................. 66 Satin Stitches ­ Single Repeat with Programmed Lockstitch and Elongation ..................................... 67 Combining a Sequence with Mirror Image and Auto-lock .............................................. 67 Reset Combined Sequence to Beginning ..................... 68 Adjusting Stitch Width or Length of an Individual Stitch Within a Sequence ................................................ 68 Editing a Sequence ....................................................... 69 Alphabet Selection Window Keys ................................. 70 Sewing Alphabets .......................................................... 71 Check Memorized Sequence ........................................ 72 Files ­ Saving, Opening and Deleting ..................... 72-74 Quilting Piecing Fabrics Together ............................................... 75 Quilt Guide ..................................................................... 75 Quilt Stitch ..................................................................... 76 Buttonhole Appliqué ...................................................... 76 Free Motion Quilting or Stippling .................................. 77 Stippling Stitch ............................................................... 77 Patchwork ...................................................................... 78 French Knots ................................................................. 78 Heirloom Pintucks ......................................................................... 79 Bridging (Fagoting) ........................................................ 79 Hemstitches ................................................................... 80 Fringing .......................................................................... 81 Drawn Work ................................................................... 81 Smocking ....................................................................... 82 SECTION IV ­ Embroidery Sewing SECTION III ­ Traditional Sewing Traditional Sewing Window Keys .................................. 30 How to Select a Stitch and What the Symbols Represent ......................................... 31 Straight Stitch ................................................................ 31 Starting to Sew .............................................................. 31 Changing Sewing Direction ........................................... 32 Finishing Off a Seam ..................................................... 32 Cutting the Threads ....................................................... 32 Adjusting Needle Position or Stitch Length .................. 33 Sewing on Heavy Fabrics ............................................. 34 Gathering ....................................................................... 34 Zipper Insertion ........................................................ 35-37 Rolled Hem .................................................................... 38 Zigzag Stitch .................................................................. 39 Overcasting ................................................................... 39 Satin Stitch Appliqué ..................................................... 40 3-Step Zigzag ................................................................ 40 Mending a Tear .............................................................. 41 Applying Elastic ............................................................. 41 Blind Hem Stitches ........................................................ 42 Lingerie Stitch ................................................................ 43 Basting Stitch ................................................................. 43 Triple Seam ................................................................... 44 Stretch Seam ................................................................. 44 Double Overlock Stitch .................................................. 45 Super Overlock Stitch .................................................... 45 Super Stretch Stitch ...................................................... 46 Buttonholes ............................................................... 47-55 How to Sew on a Button ................................................ 56 Darning ..................................................................... 57-58 Bartacks ......................................................................... 59 Arrowtack ....................................................................... 60 Eyelets ........................................................................... 60 Decorative Stitch Window Keys ............................... 61-62 Saddle Stitch ................................................................. 63 Getting Ready to Embroider .......................................... 83 Adjusting the Needle Thread Tension ........................... 84 Embroidery Hoops ......................................................... 85 Stabilizers ...................................................................... 85 Templates ...................................................................... 86 Securing Fabric in Hoop ........................................... 86-87 Attaching Hoop to Carriage ........................................... 88 Thread Holder ................................................................ 89 Embroidering Small Areas ............................................. 89 Embroidery Design Selection Window Keys ........... 89-90 How to Select a Built-in Design ................................ 91-92 Sewing a Single Built-in Design .................................... 93 Ready to Sew Window After Embroidery Begins .......... 94 Alphabets .................................................................. 95-96 Sewing Alphabets ..................................................... 97-98 Alphabet Corrections ..................................................... 99 2 Letter or 3 Letter Monograms .................................. 100 Sewing with PC Design Cards (Optional) ................... 101 Edit Window .......................................................... 102-104 Combine a Built-in Design with Alphabet ............. 105-106 Files ­ Saving, Opening and Deleting ................. 107-109 Embroidering with Optional Free Arm Hoop C ........... 110 SECTION V ­ Taking Care of Your Machine Cleaning ................................................................. 111-112 Changing the Light Bulb .............................................. 112 STITCH and EMBROIDERY CHARTS ...... 113-115 OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES ............................. 116 TROUBLESHOOTING ............................... 117-118 INDEX ......................................................... 119-121 NOTE: Information found in this instruction manual is current at the time of printing. Elna reserves the right to change and update specifications and information as needed. 2 3 2 1 24 23 4 5 6 7 8 SECTION I Machine Parts and Functions Part Names 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. 41. Stitch chart Top cover Spool pin Spool holder, large Storage compartment Bobbin winder cutter Bobbin winder spindle Bobbin winder stop LCD touch screen Speed control lever Up/down needle key Au ...