Baby Lock A-LINE Natalie BL18A Assembly instructions

Model BL18A
Getting to Know:
A-LINE SERIES
Baby Lock Consumer Helpline: 800-313-4110
www.babylock.com

Model BL18A
When it comes to sewing projects, Natalie is a friend you can trust. With convenient features
such as 15 built-in stitches, a needle threader and a 4-step buttonhole, this machine is
perfect for beginning sewers. Straightforward and reliable, Natalie is always there to help with
mending, hemming and even crafting.
This Getting to Know Guide will take you through a simple, step-by-step process on how
to wind your bobbin, thread the machine, set stitches and more. Once you’re familiar with
your machine, refer to the instruction and reference guide (packaged with your machine) for
additional directions.
Like all machines in theA-Line Series, Natalie has the features and the durability to handle all
of your projects – you can always count on her to be there for you. Be sure to ask your
Baby Lock Retailer about Natalie's friends in theA-Line Series, like Maria,Audrey, Lauren and
Grace. From classic tailored looks to modern-day fashions, the machines in theA-Line Series
will help you sew and serge with success – all with the quality you’ve come to expect from
Baby Lock.

Winding the Bobbin
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1. Pull the handwheel out to the right.
2. Draw the thread from the spool. Guide the thread around the
bobbin winder thread guide.
3. Insert the thread through the hole in the bobbin from the inside to
the outside. Put the bobbin on the bobbin winder spindle.
4. Push the bobbin to the right.
5. With the free end of the thread held in your hand, lightly press the
foot control. Stop the machine when it has made a few turns, and
cut the thread close to the hole in the bobbin. This keeps it from
tangling in the bobbin case.
6. Press the foot control again until the bobbin is fully wound,
and then stop the machine. Return the bobbin winder spindle to its
original position by moving the bobbin winder spindle to the left,
and cut the thread.
7. Push the handwheel in to the left (original position).
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Threading the Bobbin Case
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1. Place the bobbin into the bobbin case. Make sure the thread unwinds in the direction of the arrow.
2. Pull the thread into the bobbin case slot.
3. Draw the thread under the tension spring and into the delivery eye.
* Leave about 4 inches of free thread.
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Tension Spring
Delivery eye

Removing & Inserting the Bobbin Case
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1. Open the hook cover.
2. Raise the needle by turning the handwheel toward you. Take out the bobbin case by holding the latch.
3. When inserting the bobbin case, pull and hold the latch and then place the bobbin case into the
hook as far in as possible.

Threading the Machine
2. While holding thread near spool, draw thread down into the tension area
and then around the check spring holder.
3. Firmly draw thread up and through the take-up lever from right to left.
4. Then draw thread down and slip it into the lower thread guide.
5. Draw thread down and slip it into needle bar thread guide on either
right or left side of needle bar.
6. Thread needle eye from front to back.
Raise take-up lever to its highest position by turning the handwheel toward you. Raise presser foot.
Place spool of thread on spool pin as shown, with thread coming from the back of the spool.
1. Following the numbers, thread the machine. Draw thread into thread guide using both hands.
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Note: You may want to cut the end of thread with sharp scissors for easier needle threading.

Using the Needle Threader
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1. Raise the needle to its highest position. Pull down the needle threader knob as far as it will go.
2. Turn the knob in the direction of the arrow in the illustration, and then insert threader hook
into the needle eye. Lead the thread around threader guide and under threader hook.
3. Turn the knob in the direction of the arrow in the illustration, drawing the thread loop through the needle.
4. Pull the thread through the needle eye.
The needle threader can be used with a #11 to #16 needle or a Stretch needle103/705S.
Thread weight 50 to 90 should also work well.
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Threader hook
Threader guide

Drawing Up the Bobbin Thread
1. Raise the presser foot and hold the needle thread lightly with your left hand.
2. Turn the handwheel slowly toward you with your right hand until the needle goes down and
continue turning the handwheel until the take-up lever is at its highest position. Lightly pull
up the needle thread to form a loop of bobbin thread.
3. Pull 6 inches of both threads back and under the presser foot.
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Setting the Stitch
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Stitch Pattern Selector Dial
Raise the needle above the fabric and match the desired pattern with the setting mark by turning the
pattern selector dial.
Selecting Stretch Stitch Patterns
When sewing stretch stitches, set the stitch length dial at “S.S.”
Stitch Length Dial
Place the desired number at the setting mark by turning the stitch length dial.
  •Thehigherthenumber,thelongerthestitchlength.
  •“”isthecorrectsettingforbuttonholestitching.
  •Adjustthestitchlengthdialinthe0.3to4rangewhenyousewthezigzagstitch.
  •PlaceS.S.atthesettingmarktosewthestretchstitchpatterncorrectly.
  •Ifforwardandreversefeedingbecomesunbalancedduetothetypeoffabric,adjustthe
balance as follows:
    •Ifpatternsarecompressed,turnthedialtoward“+”.
    •Ifpatternsaredrawnout,turnthedialtoward“–”.
•
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12340 + •S.S. •-

Starting to Sew
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Straight Stitch Sewing
(1) Pattern selector dial: A or B
   (2)Presserfoot:Zigzagfoot  
(3) Thread tension: 2 - 6
(4) Stitch length: 1.5 - 4
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B
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1. Raise the presser foot and position the fabric
next to a stitching guide line on the needle plate.
Lower the needle into the fabric. Lower the presser foot and
move the threads toward the back of the machine.
Press the foot control.
2. Gently guide the fabric along the guide line letting the
fabric feed by itself.
  •Forfasteningtheendsofseams,pressthereverse
stitch button and sew several reverse stitches.
3. Raise the presser foot and remove the fabric, moving the
threads to the back. Cut the threads in the thread cutter on the
face cover. The threads are cut the proper length for starting the
next seam.
4. To change sewing direction, stop the machine and turn the
handwheel toward you to bring the needle down into the fabric.
Raise the presser foot. Pivot the fabric around the needle
to change sewing direction as desired. Lower the presser
foot and continue sewing.
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