Baby Lock BLES4 Acclaim Serger Machine

There are a number of reasons you would want to have a Baby Lock products registered:
• To register your machine, serger, Gold Standard or Love of Sewing for warranty purposes
• So an authorized Baby Lock dealer can check your registered product information when you take it in for service and will then be able to determine what is covered by the Baby Lock warranty
• There may be times Baby Lock may send you special offers and information based on Baby Lock products you registered
• For your future reference should you need it

1. Login to your Baby Lock Account
2. From the Dashboard, click the Register a New Machine
3. Enter the information, select Validate

The cover stitch creates a double or triple row of stitching and it can be done in narrow or wide widths with the triple cover stitch. It can also be used 'upside down' for a braid-like look. It can be used for functional or decorative purposes, such as:
• Hemming knits or topstitching seams that need stretch
• Applying elastic
• Pintucks (the use of the pintuck foot is very helpful)

Decorative edges are a great place to start. They can be created with an array of threads from fine to heavy weight. Here is your general serger set-up:
• Stitch: 3-Thread Wide Overlock (Left Needle)
• Length Setting: 2 1/2-3
• Width Setting: 7.5mm
• Differential Feed Setting: N
• Tension Guidelines: Balanced Stitch - If using a serger that requires tension adjustment, then start with loosening the upper looper tension setting (0-3) to maintain a balanced stitch. Suggestion, you may want to record the thread name and tensions for future reference.

 Thread the upper looper with decorative thread. Thread the lower looper and needle with all-purpose cone thread. Stitch along the edge of the fabric. Check the stitch to make sure the tensions are set properly. If adjustment is needed, fine tune the tensions and test the stitch again.

 Threading both the upper and lower looper with a heavier decorative thread will create a reversible edge. Both looper tensions will need to be loosened to accommodate the thickness of the thread.

 Experiment with different threads and have FUN! Ask your dealer if there is an Inspiration Guide available for your serger model, you will find it a wealth of infomation.

The serger should be cleaned after each project is completed. If you are working on a large project that creates a lot of lint build up, you may need to clean the machine a couple of times while working on the item. You can clean the serger yourself by using an air compressor, your vacuum cleaner, or your hair dryer set on cool. Problems that can occur if a machine is not cleaned on a regular basis are: inconsistent stitching, a noisy machine, and improper feeding. Avoid these problems by making sure to clean all thread guides and brush the lint off the knives and feed dog frequently using the brush that included in the accessory pack.

Outside Corners: Stitch to the end of the corner edge, but not beyond. Stop with the needles up and raise the presser foot. With tweezers pull approximately 1/4" of slack thread above the needles. The slack will allow the fabric to be pulled slightly to the back, clearing stitches from the stitch fingers. Turn the fabric, aligning the new edge with the edge of the needle plate. Remove any slack from the needle threads. Lower the foot and continue sewing.

 Inside Corners: Cut an inside corner in a piece of fabric. Line up the edge of the fabric with the edge of the needle plate. Begin sewing. Stitch until the needles are about one inch away from the corner. Lower needles to secure the fabric and raise the presser foot. Manipulate the fabric until the cut edge pulls straight and a pleat forms to the left of the presser foot. Continue sewing until the inside corner is complete.

1. Check the manual for tension settings. Check the needle tension and the lower looper tension.

 2. When serging, have half of the loops on the fold of the fabric and half of the loops off the fold. When pulling fold open the stitching should lay flat on top of the fabric.

Check to see if your differential feed is on. If it is not supposed to be on set the differential at N. Make sure the cutting blade is at the correct width setting.
Check upper and lower looper tension settings.
Make sure the machine is threaded properly and the threads are in the tension disks.

The only place to oil the serger is the upper looper arm where it is connected to the machine. Turn the handwheel by hand to notice where the looper moves back and forth.
Place a drop of oil at this point. Anything else the machine needs to be taken to your Baby Lock dealer for periodic maintenance.

You can use regular sewing machine thread. However, make sure you have enough thread to finish the project. Sergers use more thread than a sewing machine. You may also need to adjust the tension settings (if there are tensions) because sewing thread is heavier than serger cone thread. Also be sure to use spool caps when using a regular spool of thread.