Baby Lock Grace A-Line Series BL40A User manual

Model BL40A
Getting to Know:
A-LINE SERIES
Baby Lock Consumer Helpline: 800-313-4110
www.babylock.com

A-LINE SERIES
Model BL40A
If you’re an ambitious sewer, Grace can help you get to the head of the class when it comes
to your sewing projects. This versatile machine is equipped to take your sewing to the next
step with project-enhancing features and everything you need to make challenging projects a
breeze. From timeless, classic fashions to modern crafts and décor, Grace will always be there
to lend a hand.
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 instructions and reference guide (packaged with your machine) for
additional directions.
Like all machines in the A-Line Series, Grace 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 Grace’s friends in the A-Line Series; like Lauren, Natalie, Maria and Audrey.
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.

Winding the Bobbin
1. Placethebobbinonthebobbinwindershaftsothatthespringontheshafttsintothenotch
in the bobbin.
2. Slide the bobbin winder shaft to the right until it snaps into place.
3. Fully insert the spool of thread for the bobbin onto the spool pin. Slide the spool onto the pin
so that the spool is horizontal and the thread unwinds to the front at the bottom.
1
1 Hook for the bobbin-winding thread guide
2 Pretension disk
3 Bobbin winder shaft
4 Bobbin
1 Notch
2 Bobbin winder shaft spring

Winding the Bobbin
2
4. Slide the spool cap onto the spool pin.
5. Pull some thread off the spool and pass the thread under the thread guide, then behind the
thread guide, cover from the back to the front. Hold the thread with your right hand so that there is
no slack in the thread after placing it under the thread guide, and then pass the thread behind the
thread guide cover with your left hand.
6. Pull the thread, pass it under the hook of the bobbin-winding thread guide, and then wind the
thread counterclockwise between the discs, pulling it in as far as possible.
1 Hook for the bobbin-winding thread guide
2 Pretension disk
1 Thread guide
2 Thread guide cover
1
2

Winding the Bobbin
3
7. While using your left hand to hold the thread that was passed through the bobbin-winding
thread guide, use your right hand to wind the end of the thread clockwise around the bobbin
 veorsixtimes.
8. Pass the end of the thread through the slit in the bobbin winder seat, and then pull the thread
to the right to cut it. The thread is cut to a suitable length.
9. Press start/stop button once. The bobbin starts spinning and the thread is wound around the
bobbin. Slide the sewing speed controller to the right to increase the speed, if desired.
10. When the bobbin winding becomes slow, press start/stop button once to stop the machine.
11. Cut the thread, slide the bobbin winder shaft to the left, and then remove the bobbin from the
shaft.
NOTE: When the sewing machine is started or the handwheel is turned after winding the bobbin, the
machine will make a clicking sound; this is not a malfunction. Sewing is not possible while the bobbin
winder shaft is moved to the right.
1 Slit in bobbin seat (with built-in cutter)
1 Start/Stop button
2 Sewing speed controller
2

Inserting the Bobbin
4
1. Press needle position button once or twice to raise the needle, and then raise the presser
foot lever. Turn OFF the sewing machine (set it to “O”).
2. Slide the latch on the right side of the bobbin cover to the right, and then remove the bobbin
cover.
3. Insert the bobbin so that the thread unwinds to the left side and catches under the tab. Lightly
hold down the bobbin with your right hand, and guide the thread through the slot, and then
pull it toward you to cut it with the cutter. The cutter cuts the thread.
1 Bobbin cover
2 Latch
1 Needle position button
1 Tab
2 Slot
3 Cutter
2
3
1

Inserting the Bobbin
5
4. Makesurethatthethreadiscorrectlypassedthroughtheatspringofthebobbincase.Ifit
is not inserted correctly, reinsert the bobbin.
5. The direction for feeding the bobbin thread is indicated by marks around the needle plate
cover. Be sure to thread the machine as indicated.
6. Reattach the bobbin cover. Insert the tab of the bobbin cover (A) in the lower-left corner, and
then press down on the right side (B).
NOTE: You can begin sewing without pulling up the bobbin thread.
1 Flat spring

Threading the Machine
6
1. Raise the presser foot lever so the sewing machine can be threaded correctly.
NOTE: The needle threader can be used with sewing machine needles 75/11 through 100/16. The needle
threader cannot be used with a wing needle, the twin needle or threads with thicknesses larger than 130/20.
2. Press needle position button once or twice to raise the needle.
NOTE: If the needle is not correctly raised, the sewing machine cannot be threaded. Check that the mark on
the handwheel points up as shown in the illustration below. If the handwheel is not in this position, be sure to
press the needle position button to raise the needle before continuing the procedure.
1 Spool pin
2 Mark on handwheel
1 Presser foot lever
1 Needle position button
1 Mark on handwheel

Threading the Machine
7
3. Fully insert the spool for the upper thread onto the spool pin. Slide the spool onto the pin so
that the spool is horizontal and the thread unwinds to the front at the bottom. Slide the spool
cap onto the spool pin.
4. Pull some thread off the spool and pass the thread under the thread guide, then behind the
thread guide cover from the back to the front. Hold the thread with your right hand so that
there is no slack in the thread after placing it under the thread guide, and then pass the thread
under the thread guide cover with your left hand.
1 Thread guide
2 Thread guide cover
1
2

Threading the Machine
8
5. Thread the machine by guiding the thread along the path indicated by the number on
the machine.
6. Slide the thread into the thread take-up lever from the right to the left.
1 Thread take-up lever
7. Pass the thread behind the needle bar thread guide. The thread can easily be passed behind the
needle bar thread guide by holding the thread in your left hand, then feeding the thread with your right
hand.
8. Continue threading the machine by following the section on using the needle threader.
1 Needle bar thread guide