If the fabric is caught in the machine and cannot be removed, the thread may have become tangled under the needle plate. Follow the procedure described below to remove the fabric from the machine.

Removing the fabric from the machine

1. Immediately stop the machine.
   
    
2. Turn off the machine.
   
    
3. Remove the needle.

   Refer to How do I change the needle?

   If the needle is lowered into the fabric, turn the handwheel away from you (clockwise) to raise the needle out of the fabric, and then remove the needle.

   
    
4. Remove the presser foot and presser foot holder.
   If the thread is entangled on the presser foot, remove the entangled thread, and then raise the presser foot lever to remove the presser foot. Otherwise, the presser foot may be damaged.

   Refer to How do I remove or attach the presser foot? and How do I remove or attach the presser foot holder?.

   
    
5. Lift up the fabric and cut the threads below it.
   If the fabric can be removed, remove it. Continue with the following steps to clean the race.
   
    
6. Remove the needle plate.
   1. Insert the multi-purpose screwdriver into the hole, and tilt the multi-purpose screwdriver to the left and then to the back, as shown in the illustration.

      

   2. Slide out the needle plate with your right hand to remove it.

      

   
    
7. Remove the bobbin case.
   If threads remain in the bobbin case, remove them.

   

   
    
8. Remove any threads in the race and around the feed dogs.

   

   (1) Cleaning brush (2) Race

   
    
9. Insert the bobbin case so that the mark on the bobbin case aligns with the mark on the machine.

   

   * Align the and marks.

   

   (1) mark (2) mark (3) Bobbin case

   * Make sure that the indicated points are aligned before installing the bobbin case.

   • Never use a bobbin case that is scratched or has a burr on it. Otherwise the upper thread may become tangled, and the needle may break and cause injury. For a new bobbin case, contact your nearest Brother authorized service center.
   • Be sure that the bobbin case is correctly installed, otherwise the needle may break and cause injury.
   
    
10. Insert the tabs on the needle plate into the notches in the machine.

    

    (1) Tabs (2) Notches

    
     
11. Press down on the right side of the needle plate to secure it.

    

    
     
12. Check the condition of the needle, and then install it.
    If the needle is in a poor condition, for example, if it is bent, be sure to install a new needle.

    Since the needle may have been damaged when the fabric was caught in the machine, we recommend replacing it with a new one.

Checking machine operations

If the needle plate has been removed, check machine operations to confirm that installation has been completed correctly.

1. Turn on the machine.
   
    
2. Select Straight stitch (Middle).

   Do not yet install the presser foot and thread.

   
    
3. Slowly turn the handwheel toward you (counterclockwise), and look from all sides to check that the needle falls at the center of the opening in the needle plate.

   

   (1) Opening in the needle plate (2) Handwheel

   If the needle or feed dogs contact the needle plate, the machine may be malfunctioning; therefore, contact your nearest Brother authorized service center.

   
    
4. Turn off the machine, and then install the bobbin and presser foot.

   Never use a scratched or damaged presser foot. Otherwise, the needle may break, or sewing performance may suffer.

   For details, refer to How do I set the bobbin? and How do I remove or attach the presser foot?

   
   
    
5. Correctly thread the machine.

   For details, refer to How do I thread my machine ?

    

   The thread may have become tangled as a result of incorrect upper threading. Make sure that the machine is correctly threaded.

   
    
6. Perform trial sewing with normal fabric.

   Incorrect sewing may be the result of incorrect upper threading or sewing thin fabrics. If there are poor results from the trial sewing, check the upper threading or the type of fabric being used.