Brother LS 1217 Sewing Machine Manual

The Brother LS 1217 is a versatile mechanical sewing machine designed for home use, featuring 17 built-in stitches, a 4-step buttonhole, easy stitch selection dial, built-in free arm, drop feed for darning and free-motion sewing, adjustable stitch length and width, built-in thread cutter, and reverse sewing lever. Below are key sections for safety, features, setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Unpacking and Setup 3. Getting Started 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Functions 6. Stitch Selection Guide 7. Threading the Machine 8. Basic Sewing Operations 9. Maintenance & Cleaning 10. Warranty Information 11. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Main body with stitch selection dial, Bobbin winder, Spool pins, Thread tension dial, Presser foot, Needle clamp, Free arm, Reverse sewing lever, Handwheel.

Feature	Description
Built-in Stitches	17 stitches including straight, zigzag, blind hem, and stretch stitches
4-Step Buttonhole	Easy-to-create buttonholes in four simple steps
Stitch Selection Dial	Turn dial to select desired stitch pattern
Free Arm	Removable accessory storage for sewing cuffs and sleeves
Drop Feed	Lower feed dogs for darning and free-motion quilting
Adjustable Stitch Length	Control stitch length from 0-4 mm
Adjustable Stitch Width	Control zigzag width up to 5 mm
Built-in Thread Cutter	Conveniently cut threads on the side of the machine
Reverse Sewing Lever	Hold to sew in reverse for securing stitches
Lightweight Design	Portable and easy to store

Unpacking and Setup

Remove all packaging materials and inspect contents.

Place machine on stable table: Ensure surface is flat and sturdy.
Install foot controller: Plug into machine port, then into power outlet.
Connect power supply: Plug power cord into machine, then into wall outlet.
Attach accessory box: Snap onto free arm area for storage.

WARNING! Keep fingers away from needle area during setup. Ensure power is off when connecting cords.

Getting Started

Prepare machine for first use.

Wind bobbin: Place thread on spool pin, guide through bobbin winder tension, and wind evenly.
Insert bobbin: Open bobbin cover, drop in bobbin with thread unwinding clockwise.
Thread upper thread: Follow numbered threading path from spool to needle.
Raise bobbin thread: Hold upper thread, turn handwheel toward you to bring up bobbin thread.
Select stitch: Turn stitch selection dial to desired pattern (e.g., straight stitch).

CAUTION! Always turn handwheel toward you (counterclockwise) to avoid timing issues.

Specifications

Model: Brother LS 1217
Type: Mechanical Sewing Machine
Built-in Stitches: 17 stitches
Buttonhole: 4-step manual buttonhole
Stitch Length: Adjustable 0-4 mm
Stitch Width: Adjustable up to 5 mm (for zigzag)
Max Sewing Speed: 800 stitches per minute
Free Arm: Yes, with removable accessory storage
Power Supply: 110-120V AC, 60Hz
Included Accessories: All-purpose foot, buttonhole foot, zipper foot, button sewing foot, seam ripper, cleaning brush, bobbins, needles, spool caps, screwdriver

Controls and Functions

Main controls located on front and side of machine.

Front Panel: Stitch selection dial, Stitch length dial, Stitch width dial, Reverse sewing lever, Thread tension dial, Bobbin winder spindle.

Side/Rear: Handwheel (with inner knob for drop feed), Power switch, Foot controller jack, Light switch.

Basic Adjustments: Stitch length (0-4 mm), Stitch width (0-5 mm), Thread tension (1-9, 4 is normal), Presser foot pressure (fixed).

Stitch Selection Guide

Refer to stitch chart on machine or manual. Common stitches:

Straight Stitch (Pattern 1): Basic sewing, topstitching.
Zigzag Stitch (Pattern 2-4): Finishing edges, appliqué, stretch fabrics.
Blind Hem Stitch (Pattern 5): Nearly invisible hems on garments.
Stretch Stitches (Pattern 6-8): For knit fabrics, prevents popped seams.
Decorative Stitches (Pattern 9-17): For embellishment and special effects.
Buttonhole (Pattern A-D): Four positions for creating buttonholes.

Tip: Always test stitch on scrap fabric before sewing project.

Threading the Machine

Proper threading is essential for good stitch quality.

Raise presser foot and needle to highest position.
Place thread spool on spool pin, secure with spool cap if needed.
Follow threading path: Through thread guide, tension discs, take-up lever, and needle eye from front to back.
Wind bobbin: Place empty bobbin on winder, engage clutch, press foot controller.
Insert bobbin: Ensure thread unwinds clockwise when placed in bobbin case.

WARNING! Never thread machine with foot on controller or power on.

Basic Sewing Operations

Steps for common sewing tasks.

Start sewing: Place fabric under presser foot, lower presser foot lever, gently press foot controller.
Reverse sewing: Hold reverse lever to sew few stitches backward at beginning and end of seam.
Changing direction: Stop with needle in fabric, raise presser foot, pivot fabric, lower presser foot, continue.
Creating buttonhole: Mark button position, attach buttonhole foot, follow 4-step sequence (A→B→C→D).
Free arm sewing: Remove accessory box to access free arm for sleeves and cuffs.
Drop feed: Turn handwheel inner knob to lower feed dogs for darning or quilting.

CAUTION! Keep fingers away from moving needle. Always use correct presser foot for each function.

Maintenance & Cleaning

Regular maintenance ensures optimal performance.

Unplug machine before any maintenance.
Clean lint: Remove needle plate screws, lift plate, use brush to clean feed dogs and bobbin area.
Oil machine: Apply 1-2 drops of sewing machine oil to hook race and moving parts as indicated in manual (do not over-oil).
Needle replacement: Loosen needle clamp screw, remove old needle, insert new needle with flat side toward back, tighten screw.
Storage: Cover machine when not in use to prevent dust accumulation.

CAUTION! Use only Brother recommended needles and bobbins. Never use compressed air to clean.

Warranty Information

Brother International Corporation warrants this product against defects in materials and workmanship for 25 years from date of purchase for mechanical components and 2 years for electronic components (where applicable). Proof of purchase required. This warranty does not cover damage from misuse, improper maintenance, or unauthorized repairs. For service, contact authorized Brother service center. For support, visit www.brother-usa.com or call 1-877-276-8437.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Needle breaks	Incorrect needle insertion, bent needle, wrong needle type	Insert new needle correctly (flat side back); use correct needle for fabric.
Thread bunches underneath	Incorrect bobbin threading, upper thread not in tension discs	Re-thread bobbin and upper thread; ensure presser foot is up when threading.
Skipped stitches	Dull/bent needle, wrong needle size, incorrect threading	Replace needle; use appropriate size; re-thread machine.
Machine does not run	Power cord unplugged, foot controller not connected	Check all connections; ensure power switch is on.
Uneven stitches	Incorrect tension setting, dirty tension discs	Adjust tension (4 is normal); clean tension discs with thread.
Fabric not feeding	Feed dogs lowered, presser foot pressure too light	Raise feed dogs (turn inner knob); check for lint under feed dogs.
Buttonhole not forming	Incorrect foot attachment, stitch width too narrow	Attach buttonhole foot properly; adjust stitch width to match foot.

Reset: Unplug machine for 5 minutes to reset electronic components (if applicable).

Service: 1-877-276-8437; www.brother-usa.com