Baby Lock Diana BL480A Assembly instructions

Model BL480A
Getting to Know:
A-LINE SERIES
Diana
Baby Lock Consumer Helpline: 800-313-4110
www.babylock.com

Model BL480A
Diana
Introducing Diana, the easy-to-use serger from the Baby Lock A-Line Series
designed for creative techniques. If you’re bursting at the seams with ambition,
Diana’s the perfect friend to help keep those stitches secure with cover stitching,
chain stitching, rolled hems and more. Diana loves a challenge, and she’s the
perfect friend to call when you need an extra hand.
This Getting to Know You Guide will take you through a simple, step-by-step
process on how to thread your serger and set tension dials for balanced stitches.
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 the A-Line Series, Diana 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 Diana’s friends in theA-Line Series, like
Audrey, Anna and Grace. From classic tailored looks to modern-day fashions, the
machines in the A-Line Series will help you sew and serge with success – all with
the quality you’ve come to expect from Baby Lock.

Preparation For Threading
Setting Up the Thread Antenna
• Take out the thread antenna from the top of
styrofoam, and insert it as shown in first illustration.
• Fully extend the thread antenna.
• The two joints on the telescope will click into place
when they are correctly positioned as shown in
second illustration
• Center the thread guides above the spool pins.
• Place thread over the cone adapters on the spool
pins.
Thread Net
When using synthetic threads that easily spill off the
cone, slip the thread net furnished with the machine,
over the thread from bottom of the cone leaving the
thread end hanging free at the top as shown on the
right.
Setting Up Your Serger
When threading, it’s important to consider the type of thread you use for serging. Remember, a serger
creates a finished look with reinforced stitches, so strong thread is an important ingredient.Atop quality, long
staple, polyester or poly/cotton blend is the best choice. Skipped stitches and broken threads are often the
direct result of using old or inferior thread.
Thread
Thread spool
Press in
Spool cap
1

Threading Diagram Sequence: 5-Thread
Chain Stitch-3-Thread overlock
• A color coded threading diagram is located inside
the front cover for quick reference.
• Thread the machine in the order 1 to 5 as shown
at right.
Note: Threads go through the take-up lever cover
for Overlock and Chain stitching as shown.
Tension Color Code: 5-Thread Chain
Stitch-3-Thread overlock
1. Upper looper thread ............................ Green
2. Lower looper thread ............................ Blue
3. Chain stitch looper thread ................... Purple
4. Right needle thread .............................Yellow
5. Chain stitch needle thread ...................Red
Setting Up Your Serger
Threading the Machine
2
Spool Cap
• When using a regular thread spool, fit the spool cap
supplied with the machine onto the thread spool as
shown at right.
Thread
Thread spool
Press in
Spool cap

Threading Triple Cover Stitch
3
Threading Diagram Sequence: Triple
Cover Stitch
• A color threading diagram is located inside the front
cover for quick reference.
• Thread the machine in the order 1 to 4 as shown at
right.
Note: Threads go through the take-up lever cover for
cover stitch as shown.
Tension Color Code: Triple Cover Stitch
1. Cover stitch looper thread .................. Purple
2. Right needle thread ............................ Green
3. Middle needle thread .......................... Yellow
4. Left needle thread ...............................Red

Open the front cover and thread the upper
looper as indicated in steps 1 through 9.
CAUTION: Be sure to turn off power switch
• Raise Presser foot to release tension discs.
• Thread the upper area of the machine following
the green color-coded thread guides.
2Thread the top cover thread guide by pulling
the thread towards the left until it slips under
guide. Then pull thread along the right side of
pretension disc as illustrated.
3While holding thread with fingers, pass it
between the tension discs and pull thread
down to make certain it is properly located in
between the tension discs.
4 Place the thread from right to left into
thread guide.
5 Place the thread from left to right and
position thread behind finger on thread
guide.
Manual Threading
Threading the Upper Looper (Green)
4
8
6
7
95
4
2
3
1
1
1 Pass thread from back to the front through the
thread guide.

5
67& 8Thread the balance of the upper
looper area of the machine following the
green color-coded thread guides.
9Thread the hole in the upper looper from
front to back. Make sure thread passes
behind lower looper. Pull about 10cm
(4 inches) of thread through the looper
and place to the back of the needle plate.
Note: Use tweezers provided in the
accessory case to aid in threading
the looper.

1 Pass thread from back to the front through the
thread guide.
2Thread the top cover thread guide by pulling
the thread towards the left until it slips under
guide. Then pull thread along the right side of
pretension disc as illustrated.
Manual Threading
Threading the Lower Looper (Blue)
6
Open the front cover and thread the lower looper
as indicated in steps 1 through 10.
• Raise Presser foot to release tension discs.
• Turn the handwheel toward you until the
lower looper eye extends out 5 - 10mm from the
needle plate edge.
• Thread the lower looper area of the machine following
the blue color-coded thread guides.

7
3While holding thread with fingers,
pass it between the tension discs
and pull thread down to make
certain it is properly located in
between the tension discs.
4 Place the thread from right to left, into
the thread guide.
5 Place the thread from right to left, into
the thread guide.
6 7 & 8Thread the balance of the lower
looper area of the machine following the
blue color-coded thread guides, placing
thread in guides.
9& 10 Thread the lower looper eye (A) from
front to back. Pull about 10cm (4 inches)
of thread and position into V cutout (B) on
looper threader. Firmly hold thread tail
with left hand and pull threader lever (C)
up into place (D).
Note: Use tweezers provided in the
accessory case to aid in threading
the looper.

8
Manual Threading
Threading the Chain and Cover Chain
Stitch Looper (Purple)
1 Pass thread from back to the front through the
thread guide.
Open the front cover and thread the chain
stitch/cover stitch looper as indicated in
steps 1 through 11.
• Raise Presser foot to release tension discs.
• Turn the handwheel toward you until the chain
stitch looper eye extends out 5 - 10mm from the
needle plate edge.
• Thread the chain looper area of the machine
following the purple color-coded thread guides.
2 Thread the top cover thread guide by pulling
the thread towards the left until it slips under
guide. Then pull thread along the right side of
pretension disc as illustrated.

9
4 Place the thread from right and to left
into threading guide..
5 Place the thread from right to left
into threading guide.
6 7 8 & 9Thread the balance of the
lower looper area of the machine following
the purple color-coded thread guides,
placing thread in guides.
10 & 11 Thread the looper eye (A) from front
to back. Pull about 10cm (4 inches) of
thread and position into V cutout (B) on
threader. Firmly hold thread tail with left
hand and pull threader lever (C) up to
place thread into correct position (D) for
sewing.
Note: Use tweezers provided in the
accessory case to aid in threading
the looper.
3While holding thread with fingers, pass it
between the tension discs and pull thread
down to make certain it is properly located in
between the tension discs.

10
Manual Threading
Threading the Overlock Right Needle
(Yellow) (B on needle clamp)
1 Pass thread from back to the front through the
thread guide.
Thread the center needle as indicated in
steps 1 through 9.
• Raise Presser foot to release tension discs.
2Thread the top cover thread guide by pulling
the thread towards the left until it slips under
guide. Then pull thread along the right side of
pretension disc as illustrated.

11
3 While holding thread with fingers, pass it
between the tension discs and pull thread
down to make certain it is properly located in
between the tension discs.
4& 5Slip thread behind metal guide and
into rear slot on thread guide.
6 Pass thread into the slot of take-up lever
cover.
7 Position thread into the right guide
located at base of take-up lever cover.
8Slip thread from left to right into the thread
guide located on bottom of the needle
clamp. Position the thread into the right
section of the guide.
Note: Before threading eye of needle, slip
thread behind thread guide located on the
bottom of the needle clamp.
9Thread the eye of the right needle from
front to back. Draw about 10cm (4 inches)
of thread through needle eye toward the
rear of machine and place thread to the
back, under the presser foot.
Note: Use tweezers provided in the
accessory case to aid in threading
the needle.

12
Manual Threading
Threading the Chain Stitch Needle
(Red) (D on needle clamp) Center Needle
1 Pass thread from back to the front through the
thread guide.
2Thread the top cover thread guide by pulling
the thread towards the left until it slips under
guide. Then pull thread along the right side of
pretension disc as illustrated.
Thread the center needle as indicated in
steps 1 through 9.
• Raise Presser foot to release tension discs.

13
3While holding thread with fingers, pass it
between the tension discs and pull thread
down to make certain it is properly located in
between the tension discs.
4& 5Slip thread behind metal guide and
into center slot on thread guide.
6 Pass thread into the slot of take-up lever
cover.
7 Position thread into the center slot on guide
located at base of take-up lever cover.
8Slip thread from left to right into the thread
guide located on bottom of the needle
clamp. Position the thread into the center
section of the guide.
Note: For 4-Thread overlock left needle: Use
Needle A.
Note: Before threading eye of needle, slip
thread behind thread guide located on the
bottom of the needle clamp.
Note: For Chain stitch: Use needle D before
threading eye of needle, make sure thread is
in front of thread guide located at bottom of
the needle clamp.
9Thread the eye of the center needle from
front to back. Position of the thread must
be behind the thread guide for overlock
stitching. Draw about 10cm (4 inches) of
thread through needle eye toward the rear
of machine and place thread to the back,
under the presser foot.
Note: Use tweezers provided in the
accessory case to aid in threading
the needle.

14
Manual Threading
Threading the Left Cover Stitch Needle
(Red) (C on needle clamp)
1 Pass thread from back to the front through the
thread guide.
2Thread the top cover thread guide by pulling
the thread towards the left until it slips under
guide. Then pull thread along the right side of
pretension disc as illustrated.
Thread the cover stitch/left chain stitch needle
as indicated in steps 1 through 9.
• Raise Presser foot to release tension discs.

15
4& 5Slip thread behind metal guide and
into rear slot on thread guide.
6 Pass thread into the slot of take-up lever
cover.
7 Position thread into the left guide
located at base of take-up lever cover.
8Slip thread from left to right into the thread
guide located on bottom of the needle
clamp. Position the thread into the left
section of the guide.
Note: Before threading eye of needle, make
sure thread is in front of thread guide located
on the bottom of the needle clamp, for cover
stitch and for chain stitch.
9Thread the eye of the left needle. Draw
about 10cm (4 inches) of thread through
needle eye to hang free. Place the thread
to the back, and slightly to left under the
presser foot.
Note: Use tweezers provided in the
accessory case to aid in threading
the needle.
3While holding thread with fingers, pass it
between the tension discs and pull thread
down to make certain it is properly located in
between the tension discs.

16
Manual Threading
Threading the Cover Stitch
Middle/Chain Needle (Yellow)
(D on needle clamp) Center Needle
1 Pass thread from back to the front through the
thread guide.
2Thread the top cover thread guide by pulling
the thread towards the left until it slips under
guide. Then pull thread along the right side of
pretension disc as illustrated.
Thread the center needle as indicated in
steps 1 through 9.
• Raise Presser foot to release tension discs.

17
4& 5Slip thread behind metal guide and
into center slot on thread guide.
6 Pass thread into the slot of take-up lever
cover.
7 Position thread into the center guide
located at base of take-up lever cover.
8Slip thread from left to right into the thread
guide located on bottom of the needle
clamp. Position the thread into the center
section of the guide.
Note: Before threading eye of needle, make
sure thread is in front of thread guide located
on the bottom of the needle clamp, for cover
stitch and for chain stitch.
9Thread the eye of the middle needle. Draw
about 10cm (4 inches) of thread through
needle eye to hang free. Place the thread
to the back, and slightly to left under the
presser foot.
Note: Use tweezers provided in the
accessory case to aid in threading
the needle.
3While holding thread with fingers, pass it
between the tension discs and pull thread
down to make certain it is properly located in
between the tension discs.

18
Manual Threading
Threading the Cover Stitch Right Needle
(Green) (E on needle clamp)
1 Pass thread from back to the front through the
thread guide.
2Thread the top cover thread guide by pulling
the thread towards the left until it slips under
guide. Then pull thread along the right side of
pretension disc as illustrated.
Thread the cover stitch right needle as indicated
in steps 1 through 9.
• Raise Presser foot to release tension discs.