Janome 6234XL User manual

INSTRUCTION BOOK
6234XL

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PREPARATION
Names of Parts...................................................3
Attaching the Waste Catcher .............................4
Storing the Accessory Box .................................4
Standard Accessories ....................................... .4
Connecting the Machine to the Power Supply.......5
Controlling Sewing Speed ..................................5
For Your Safety ..................................................5
How to Turn the Handwheel ...............................6
Opening and Closing the Side Cover................. 6
Opening and Closing the Looper Cover.............6
The Position
of Thread Guide Bar......................7
Attaching the Spool Holder
Cap and Net ..............7
Changing Needle................................................8
Raising or Lowering the Presser Foot................ 8
Removing the Presser Foot ...............................9
Attaching the Presser Foot.................................9
Adjustment of Foot Pressure..............................9
Adjustment
of Stitch Length ............................. 1O
Adjustment of Differential Feed Ratio ..............1O
To Disengage the Upper Knife ......................... 11
To Engage the UpperKnife...........................; .. 11
Adjustment of Cutting Width............................. 12
Adjustment of Needle Plate Setting Knob ........ 13
Setting the Lower Looper Pre-Tension Setting
Slider and Changeable thread guide ........... 14
Two-Thread Serging.........................................15
Threading the Machine............................... 16-25
·Threading the Lower.Looper .............. 17-19
• Threading the Upper Looper .............. 20-21
• Threading the Right Needle ............... 22-23
• How to use the Needle Threader .............. 23
• Threading the Left Needle .................. 24-25
TEST STITCHING
Starting Sewing ................................................26
Finishing Sewing ..............................................26
Sewing Continuously........................................26
2
How to use Guide Lines ...................................26
Securing Ends ..................................................27
Thread Tension (4 threads) ....................... 28-29
·Threading the Machine (3 threads) .................. 30
Thread Tension (3 threads) .............................. 31
Threading the Machine (2 threads) .................. 32
Thread Tension (2 threads) ....................... 33-34
Thread and Needle Chart.,...............................35
ROLLED HEMMING, PICOT EDGING AND
NARROW HEMMING
Machine Setting and Thread, Fabric and
Range of the Tension Dial ................................36
Thread Tension ................................................
37
For Better Results ............................................38
DECORATIVE OVEREDGING
Thread and Fabric ............................................39
Machine Setting................................................39
GATHERING
Thread and Fabric ............................................39
Machine Setting................................................39
PIN TUCKING
Thread and Fabric ........................................... .40
Machine Setting................................................40
Sewing ..............................................................40
CARE OF YOUR MACHINE
Replacing the Upper Knife ...............................41
Cleaning Upper Knife Area .............................. 41
Replacing the Light Bulb ................................. .42
Cleaning the Feed Dog ....................................42
Oiling the Machine............................................43
Carrying the Machine .......................................43
Troubleshooting ................................................44
OP1IONAL PARTS ....................................... 45

5
PREPARATION
Names of Parts
G) Left needle thread tension dial
® Right needle thread tension dial
® Upper looper thread tension dial
@) Lower looper thread tension dial
@Side cover
@ Looper cover
(f) Handwheel
® Power switch
® Machine socket
@ Differential feed dial
@ Stitch length dial
@ Spool stand
@ Spool holder
@spool pin
@ Thread guide bar
@ Thread guide
@ Pressure adjusting screw
@ Presser foot
@ Needle plate setting knob
@ Thread cutter
@ Presser foot lifter
@ Needle plate
@ Upper knife release knob
@ Cutting width adjusting dial
@ Upper looper
@ Lower looper
@ Upper knife
@ Lower knife
3

2
®
1111
© ®
[I
Attaching the Waste Catcher
CDWaste catcher
Storing the Accessory Box
®Waste catcher
Insert the accessory box into the waste chip
box.
@Accessory box
Standard Accessories
CD Screwdrivers
®Tweezers
@Nets
© Set of needles
@Spanner
@Oil
([) Lint brush
@Spool cap
® Upper knife
® Needle threader
@Spreader
@ Instructional movie DVD
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4

Connecting the Machine to the Power Supply
Before connecting the machine to the power supply,
make sure the voltage and frequency shown on the
machine conform to your electrical power.
1. Turn off the powei switch, and connect the
machine plug to the machine socket.
2. Connect the power supply plug to your power
supply.
@ 3. Turn on the power switch.
(i) Power switch
® Machine plug
@ Machine socket
© Power supply plug
® Power supply
@ Foot control
Controlling Sewing Speed
Sewing speed can be varied by the foot control.
The harder you press on the controller, the faster the
machine runs.
Step on the foot control with the presser foot lifter up, and
practice controlling the speed.
(i) Foot control
For Your Safety:
• While in operation, always keep your eye on the
sewing area, and
do not touch any moving parts
such as the thread take·up lever, loopers,
handwheel, needle
or knives.
* Always disconnect the machine from the power
supply:
-when leaving the machine unattended.
-when attaching
or removing parts.
5
-when threading or cleaning the machine.
• Do not place anything on the foot control, otherwise
the machine will start inadvertently.

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How to Turn the Handwheel
Always turn the handwheel toward you (Counter-
clockwise).
G) Handwheel
Opening and Closing the Side Cover
To open:
Push the side cover to the left.
To close:
Push the side cover to the right and slightly toward the
machine body.
G) Side cover
Opening and Closing the Looper Cover
To open:
While pushing with
the thumb to the right as far as it will go,
pull the looper cover toward you.
To close:
Lilt the looper cover and push it against the machine.
The looper cover snaps into its position automatically.
CD Looper cover
NOTE:
Always close both side cover and looper cover when
the
machine is in use.

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2
The Position of Thread Guide Bar
Pull the thread guide bar up as far as it will go.
G) Thread guide bar
® Thread guide
Attaching the Spool Holder Cap and Net
1. When you use a small thread spool, pull out the
spool holder from the spool pin. Then place the spool
with its slit side up, and put the spool holder cap on top
of it.
G) Spool holder
®Spool pin
® Spool holder cap
@Slit
2. If. the thread slips down from the spool during
threading and/or sewing, put a net on the spool as
illustrated to prevent jamming.
G) Net
®Spool pin
7

6
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1~...........------1,
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8
Changing Needle
Turn offthe power switch and unplug the machine.
Raise the needle to its highest position.
Then loosen the left or right needle clamp screw for the
needle you are going to remove.
CD Needle clamp screw on the left
® Needle clamp screw on the right
• Use HA-1 SP #14 Needle or #11.
To attach the needle on the right :
Insert a new needle into the needle clamp with the flat
side to the back until the top of the needle touches the
stopper pin, then tighten the needle clamp screw on the
right.
To attach the needle on the left :
Insert a new needle into the needle clamp with the flat
side to the back until the top of the needle touches the
edge
of the needle bar, then tighten the needle clamp
screw on the left.
• When the needles are set correctly, the left
needle is higher than the right one.
• Use HA-1 SP #14 Needle or #11.
CD Needle clamp
®Needle
@ Needle stopper pin
@ Edge of needle bar
® Needle clamp screws
® Flat side to the back
• Do not use any needle which is bent or blunt.
Raising or Lowering the Presser Foot
By raising or lowering the presser foot lifter, the presser
foot goes up
or down.
• While in operation, keep the presser foot lowered
except when threading the machine or test running
without threads.
Thread tension will be released when the presser foot
lifter is raised.
CD Presser foot
® Presser foot lifter

2 4 3
3
2
1
4
.--~ .. ~ .+
~· · 2mm
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Removing the Presser Foot
1. Turn off the power switch and unplug the
machine.
2. Raise the needle and the presser foot.
3. Press the lever located on the back of the foot
holder. The presser foot will drop off.
G) Needle
® Presser foot lifter
® Foot holder
@Lever
Attaching the Presser Foot
1. Turn off the power switch and unplug the
machine.
2. Place the presser foot so that the pin on the foot
lies just under the groove of the foot holder.
3. Lower the foot holderto lock the foot into place.
4. Raise the presser foot lifter to check that the
presser foot is secure.
G) Groove
@Pin
®Lever
Adjustment of Foot Pressure
It is not necessary to adjust the presser foot's pressure for
normal sewing.
When you sew heavy or lightweight fabrics, turn the
adjusting screw:
-clockwise for heavyweight fabric.
-counterclockwise for lightweight fabric.
• For normal sewing, set the adjusting screw so
that it sits 2
mm below the top of the machine.
9
G) To decrease
® To increase
® Pressure adjusting screw
@ Top of the machine

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l 2
10
Adjustment of Stitch Length
To select stitch length, turn the dial.
The larger the number, the longer the stitch.
The stitch length can be adjusted from 1 to 5 mm.
Position "R" is for rolled and narrow hemmings.
CD Stitch length dial
® Stitch length indicator window
Adjustment of Differential Feed Ratio
The differential feed ratio can be altered by turning the
dial.
The number on the dial indicates the ratio between the
main and the sub feed motion:
1.0 indicates the neutral position.
CD Differential feed dial
® Differential feed ratio indicator window
How to adjust
If the sewn fabric is stretched, turn the dial
counterclockwise (toward 2.0).
If the sewn fabric
is gathered, turn the dial
clockwise (toward 0.5).
CD Stretched
®Gathered

3
1
2
To Disengage the Upper Knife
1. Turn off the power switch and unplug the machine.
2. Open both the IMper cover and side cover.
3. Turn the upper knife release knob toward you
while pushing it to the right, then guide the hole
on the upper knife to the pin to lock the upper
knife in the down position.
4. Close the looper cover and side cover.
CD Upper knife release knob
® Stopper pin
@ Upper Knife
To Engage the Upper Knife ·
1. Turn off the power switch and unplug themachine.
2. Open both the looper cover and side cover.
3. Turn the upper knife release knob away from you
while pushing it
to the right, then guide the
groove on the upper knife to the pin to lock the
upper knife
in the up position.
4. Close the looper cover and side cover.
11
CD Upper knife release knob
® Stopper pin

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4
2
3
2
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Adjustment of Cutting Width
When cutting width is too narrow or too wide for seam
width, adjust it as follows.
1. Turn off the power switch and unplug the
machine.
2. Open the looper cover and side cover.
3. Set the upper knife to down position
(Refer to page 11.)
4. Turn the cutting width adjusting dial to get
desired position of lower knife.
(j) Cutting width adjusting dial
@ Lower knife
@ Standard setting
• The cutting width of this model can be adjusted
approximately 3.0 to 5.0 mm from the right
needle position depending upon your sewing
needs or the fabric being used.
(The cutting width should be adjusted to get
the same results as illustrated@.)
When cutting width is too narrow:
Turn cutting width adjusting dial clockwise (A).
Lower knife will move to the right.
When cutting width is too wide:
Turn the cutting width adjusting dial counterclockwise
(B).
Lower knife will move to the left.
5. Set the upper knife to up position.
6.
Close the looper cover and side cover.
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(A)
(B)
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5
Adjustment of Needle Plate Setting Knob
(Changing to Standard Serging
or Rolled
Hemming)
1. Turn off the power switch and unplug the
machine.
2. Open the looper cover and side cover.
3. Disengage the upper knife. (Refer to page 11)
4. Push the cutting width adjusting dial to the right
as far as it will go, then, move the needle plate
setting knob to the guide line of S (for Standard
Serging) or R {for Rolled Hemming).
Release the cutting width adjusting dial to the left
gently.
5. Set the upper knife to up position.
6. Close the looper cover and side cover.
G) Chaining finger
®Guideline
® Cutting width adjusting dial
@ Upper knife
® Needle plate setting knob
(A) Standard Serging
• The chaining finger is located beside the needle plate
as shown in diagram (A) for guiding the flat edge of the
fabric for overlock sewing.
(8) Rolled Hemming
• Pull the needle plate setting knob from "S" to "R"
position, so that the fabric edge will be rolled for
hemming, picot edging and narrow hemming.
13

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Setting the Lower Looper Pre-Tension Setting
Slider and Changeable thread guide
Standard serging(STD.)
Standard serging with 2, 3 or 4 threads
CD Lower looper pre-tension setting slider
Rolled hemming(R.H.)
Rolled hemming with 2 or 3 threads
3/4 thread serglng
Serging with 3 or 4 threads
@ Changeable thread guide
2 thread serglng
Serging with 2 threads
Change the setting depending on whether you're doing 3/4
thread serging or 2 thread serging.

Two·Thread Serging
• In case of two-thread serging, use one needle thread and the lower looper thread. Remove other threads.
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i 3
(A)
®
9
To attach the spreader
Put the tip of the spreader into the hole on the upper
looper, and slide the spreader down into the holder.
CD Spreader
® Upper looper
@ Holder
To remove the spreader
Pull tab A on the holder toward you lightly. Push the
bottom
of the spreader up and pull it out.
For standard two-thread serging, set the machine as
illustrated.
© Lower looper pre-tension setting silder
(STD. position)
® Changeable thread guide (lower position)
Standard two-thread serging is
as illustrated.
® Wrong side of fabric
(j) Needle thread
® Right side of fabric
® Lower looper thread
15

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3 5
6
0
0
4
16
Threading the Machine
The left illustration shows the completed threading conditions
of four threads.
CD Lower looper thread
® Upper looper thread
® Right needle thread
@ Left needle thread
® Thread guide
® Thread guide plate
(j) Threading chart
The machine is pre-threaded to make threading easier.
Tie the end
of a new thread to one of the pre-set threads,
and pull it to draw the new thread through the machine,
following the steps below.
• Tum off the power switch before threading the
machine.
1. Pull the threads from the spools and draw them
through the thread guides, then tie the thread ends
together.
2. Raise the presser foot, draw the threads until the
knots are coming out from underthe back of the
presser foot.
3. However, stop drawing the needle threads when
the knots reach just before the needle eye.
Cut the knots and thread the needle eye.
4. Before starting sewing, clear the needle threads
from underthe presser foot to make sure they are
not caught below the needle plate.
{Draw the needle threads in the direction A)
Then pull outthe threads to the back approximately
1Ocm {4') away from the presser foot.
Lower the presser foot, and you are now ready to
sew.
CD Thread guide
®Needle
® Needle thread
@ Presser foot
® Needle plate
For re-threading the machine easily, start from the
lower looper, upper looper, right needle and left
needle threads.
Make sure to clear the needle threads out from
below the needle plate and draw them to the
back and underthe presser foot about 10 cm {4').

0 ] 0
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Q)
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· Threading the Lower Looper
Open the looper cover and side cover.
Place the spool of thread on the front right side spool pin.
• The points to thread for lower looper are marked
in green.
• A convenient threading chart is placed on the
machine body inside the looper cover.
1. Draw the thread through the right side thread guide
from backto front
CD Thread guide
2. Pass the thread through the holes on the right side
ofthe thread guide plate as illustrated.
® Thread guide plate
17

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6 5
4,5,6,7
8
8,9, 10, 11
12
3. Hold the thread at both ends and tug gently to ensure
the thread is correctly inserted between the tension
discs. (If the presser foot lifter is raised, the thread
easily inserts between the tension discs.)
® Lower looper thread tensioh dial
4. Hook the thread on the cornet@, and then pass
the thread through the looper thread guide.
@ Looper thread guide
5. Pass the thread through changeable thread guide.
A
6. Pass the thread through the looperthread
18
take-up lever (lower).
7. Pass the thread through lower looper thread
guide
(1 ).
® Changeable thread guide
@ Looper thread take-up lever (lower)
0 Lower looper thread guide (1)
8. Then lift up the lower looper thread guide (1) to its
threading position. When you do this, the other lower
looper thread guides (2) and (3) will automatically move
up to make it easier to reach them.
® Lower looper thread guide (2)
® Lower looper thread guide (3)
9. Pass the thread through the lower looperthread guide (2).
1
O.Pass the thread through the lower looperthread guide (3).
11.Holding the end of the thread, push the lower looper
thread guide (1) down with your other hand to return
it to
its original position.
At the same time, lower looper thread guides (2) and (3)
will return to their original positions. You can also return
the lower looper thread guides (1), (2) and
(3) to their
original positions by turning the handwheel counterclock
wise.
12. Move the lower looper to its rightmost position by
turning the handwheel, and drag the thread with a pair
of tweezers through the hole on the lower looper
4"
(10 cm) or more.
@Lower looper

1
How to thread woolly nylon/polyester thread
• The illustration at left shows one of the easiest
ways-to pass woolly nylon/polyester thread
through the lower looper.
19
G) Lower looper
® Ordinary thread
@ Woolly nylon/polyester thread

=
3 0
0 0
1
2
2
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• Threading the Upper Looper
Place a spool of thread on the rear right spool pin.
* The points to thread for upper looper are marked
in red.
* A convenient threading chart is placed on the
machine body inside the looper cover.
1. Draw the thread through the thread guide second
from the right from back to front.
CD Thread guide
2. Pass the thread through the holes in the second
row from the right of thread guide plate as
illustrated.
® Thread guide plate I
\