ELNA 8600 User manual

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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).

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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
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.
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
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
TABLE OF CONTENTS

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SECTION I
Machine Parts and Functions
Part Names
1. Stitch chart
2. Top cover
3. Spool pin
4. Spool holder, large
5. Storage compartment
6. Bobbin winder cutter
7. Bobbin winder spindle
8. Bobbin winder stop
9. LCD touch screen
10. Speed control lever
11. Up/down needle key
12. Auto-lock key
13. Reverse key
14. Start/stop key
15. Extension table (accessory storage box)
16. Bobbin cover plate release button
17. Bobbin cover plate
18. Needle plate
19. Built-in needle threader
20. Thread cutter and holder
21. Face plate
22. Thread take-up lever
23. Foot pressure dial
24. Thread tension dial
25. Needle clamp screw
26. Needle
27. Presser foot
28. Shank
29. Thumbscrew
30. Carrying handle
31. Presser foot lever
32. Buttonhole lever
33. Free arm
34. Feed dog lever
35. Carriage (embroidery only)
36. Power switch
37. Machine sockets
38. Card eject button
39. Design card
40. Design card slot
41. Flywheel (always turn towards you)
12345678
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
41
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40

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Standard Accessories
Extension Table (Storage Box)
Accessories are stored inside the extension table. Pull lid
towards you to open the storage box.
1. R: Automatic buttonhole foot
2. T: Button sewing foot
3. P2: Embroidery/darning foot
4. D: Hemmer foot
5. Quilt guide
6. Screwdriver
7. Screw key
8. Scissors
9. Set of needles
10. Spool stand
11. Additional spool pin
12. Spool pin felt
13. Lint brush
14. Seam ripper
15. Spool holder, large (attached to machine)
16. Spool holder, small
17. Bobbins (5 total)
12
34
56
78
91011
12 13 14
15 16 17

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Storage Compartment under Top Cover
(Lift up and back)
Handy storage area for individual pieces
18. F: Satin stitch foot
19. E: Zipper foot
20. P: Embroidery foot
21. Shank (attached to machine)
22. A: Standard metal foot (attached to machine)
23. G: Blind hem foot
24. C: Overlock foot
25. Embroidery hoop and template (A)
26. Embroidery hoop and template (B)
27. Foot control
28. Instruction book
29. Template sheets
30. Power supply cord
31. Dust cover
32. Built-in design menu sheet
F
C
G
A
E
P
18 19
24
23
22
20
21
25 26 27
28 29 30
31 32

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Presser Foot and Accessory Definitions
A: Standard Metal Foot
This foot comes attached to your machine. It is mainly
used for straight stitches and zigzag stitches longer than
1.0. The button locks the foot in a horizontal position
helping to sew over multiple layered seams.
C: Overlock Foot
Prevent fabric edges from raveling by finishing the edge
with a zigzag stitch. The brush on the foot helps the
stitch lie flatter and reduces puckering. Use with medium
weight fabrics.
D: Hemmer Foot
Insert the fabric into the spiral on this foot. The spiral
rolls the fabric, creating a rolled hem. An easy,
professional way to sew hems.
E: Zipper Foot
Use when sewing zippers into place. The grooves on the
underside ensure the foot glides over the zipper coil.
Attach either to the left or right of the needle to sew each
side of the zipper.
F: Satin Stitch Foot
The cutout on the underside of the foot is designed to
accommodate dense stitch formation. Ideal when sewing
satin and decorative stitches.
G: Blind Hem Foot
The guide on the foot helps ensure that the needle
catches only one or two fibers of the hem, resulting in an
invisible hemline.
A
C
D
E
F
G

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P: Embroidery Foot
Automated embroidery requires using a hoop and
securing the fabric inside it so it is held taut. The carriage
mechanism must be able to move the hoop/fabric freely;
this foot allows that movement.
P-2: Embroidery/Darning Foot
Skipped stitches are no longer a concern when sewing
free motion embroidery, stippling, darning and
monogramming. The spring-loaded foot moves up and
down at the same time as the needle.
R: Automatic Buttonhole Foot
Place button in foot to determine the buttonhole size.
The machine will automatically sew the corresponding
buttonhole.
T: Button Sewing Foot
No matter the shape, sew buttons on in one quick and
easy step. Special properties of foot are the open front
and grips on the underside.
Quilt Guide
The quilt guide is helpful when sewing parallel, evenly
spaced rows of stitching. May be used with an optional
walking foot.
P
P-2
R
T

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Extension Table and Free Arm
Extension Table
The extension table provides more sewing space to
make sewing easier. The extension table can be easily
removed for free arm sewing.
To Remove:
Lift out extension table away from the machine, as
shown.
To Attach:
Place tabs over slots and push down on table.
Free Arm
Free arm sewing is good for circle areas like sleeves,
waistbands and pant legs.
NOTE: Move the carriage if you need to use the entire
length of the free arm. See page 19.
NOTE: Always embroider with the extension table
attached unless using optional free arm hoop C. See
page 110.

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Controlling Sewing Speed
Sewing speed can be varied with the foot control. The
harder you press on the foot control, the faster the
machine runs.
The maximum sewing speed can be varied by sliding the
speed control lever. For a faster speed, slide it to the
right; for a slower speed, slide it to the left.
Foot Pressure Dial
Align the foot pressure dial qwith the setting mark w.
Set the pressure at “3” for regular sewing.
Reduce the pressure to “2” for appliqué, cutwork, drawn
work, basting and embroidery.
Velours and knits with a lot of stretch may require a “1”
setting.
q
w