brother sewing machine manual sm1704

The Brother SM1704 is a versatile and user-friendly sewing machine designed for beginners and intermediate users. It features 17 built-in stitches, a 4-step buttonhole, easy stitch selection, automatic bobbin winding, and a free arm for sewing cuffs and sleeves. Below are key sections for safety, features, setup, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

1. Features at a Glance 2. Installation & Setup 3. First-Time Use 4. Specifications 5. Controls and Settings 6. Stitch Selection & Applications 7. Threading & Bobbin Winding 8. Maintenance & Cleaning 9. Safety Information 10. Warranty & Support 11. Troubleshooting

Features at a Glance

Key components: Stitch selection dial, stitch length/width controls, reverse stitch button, bobbin winder, free arm, built-in light, foot pedal, accessory storage.

Feature	Description
Built-in Stitches	17 stitches including straight, zigzag, blind hem, and decorative
4-Step Buttonhole	Easy-to-create buttonholes in four simple steps
Automatic Bobbin Winder	Winds bobbin evenly and automatically stops when full
Free Arm	Removable flatbed for sewing cylindrical items like sleeves
Stitch Length/Width Control	Adjustable for customizing stitch appearance
Reverse Stitch Lever	Reinforces seam beginnings and ends
Built-in Light	Illuminates sewing area for better visibility
Accessories Included	Zigzag foot, buttonhole foot, darning plate, bobbins, needles, screwdriver, seam ripper
Power Switch	Turns machine on/off
Foot Pedal	Controls sewing speed

Installation & Setup

Unpack and inspect contents. Place on stable, flat surface.

Remove machine from packaging and all protective materials.
Attach foot pedal: Plug into machine's foot pedal jack.
Connect power: Plug power cord into machine, then into wall outlet (120V AC).
Install needle: Loosen needle clamp screw, insert needle with flat side facing back, tighten screw.
Attach presser foot: Raise presser foot lever, align foot with shank, lower lever to lock.

WARNING! Keep fingers away from needle area during setup. Ensure machine is unplugged when installing needle.

First-Time Use

Power on machine; follow these steps for initial sewing.

Wind bobbin: Place thread on spool pin, guide through bobbin winder tension, press bobbin onto winder shaft, press foot pedal.
Insert bobbin: Open bobbin cover, insert bobbin with thread unwinding counterclockwise, pull thread through slot.
Thread upper thread: Follow numbered threading path on machine from spool pin to needle.
Select stitch: Turn stitch selection dial to desired stitch pattern.
Test sew: Place fabric under presser foot, lower foot, press foot pedal gently to start sewing.

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

Specifications

Model: Brother SM1704
Stitches: 17 built-in stitches
Buttonhole: 4-step manual buttonhole
Stitch Length: Adjustable up to 4mm
Stitch Width: Adjustable up to 5mm
Speed: Up to 800 stitches per minute
Needle: Standard household sewing machine needle (size 11/75 or 14/90)
Bobbin: Class 15 transparent bobbin
Power Supply: 120V AC, 60Hz
Weight: 11 lbs (5 kg)
Dimensions: 15.4" x 7.1" x 11.8"

Controls and Settings

Access controls via front panel. Stitch Selection Dial: Turn to select stitch pattern (1-17). Stitch Length Dial: Adjusts stitch length (0-4). Stitch Width Dial: Adjusts stitch width (0-5). Reverse Stitch Lever: Hold down to sew in reverse. Power Switch: Turns machine on/off. Handwheel: Manual control of needle position.

Stitch Settings Guide: Straight stitch (length 2-3, width 0), Zigzag (length 2, width 3-4), Blind hem (length 2, width 3), Decorative stitches (refer to stitch chart).

Stitch Selection & Applications

Select appropriate stitch for your fabric and project.

Straight Stitch (1-3): Basic sewing, seams, topstitching.
Zigzag Stitch (4-6): Finishing edges, stretch fabrics, appliqué.
Blind Hem Stitch (7): Nearly invisible hems on garments.
Decorative Stitches (8-17): Embellishments, decorative seams.
Buttonhole Stitch (marked positions): Create buttonholes using 4-step process.

Tip: Test stitch on fabric scrap before starting project to adjust tension if needed.

Threading & Bobbin Winding

Proper threading ensures smooth operation.

Upper Threading: Follow numbered path: spool pin → thread guide → tension discs → take-up lever → thread guide → needle (front to back).
Bobbin Winding: Place thread on spool pin, guide through bobbin winder tension, place bobbin on shaft, push shaft to right, press foot pedal.
Bobbin Insertion: Open cover, insert bobbin with thread unwinding counterclockwise, pull thread through slot, close cover.
Bring Up Bobbin Thread: Hold upper thread, turn handwheel toward you until needle goes down and up, pull upper thread to bring up bobbin thread.

WARNING! Always raise needle to highest position before threading. Ensure presser foot is raised when threading upper thread.

Maintenance & Cleaning

Regular maintenance ensures optimal performance.

Cleaning: Unplug machine. Remove needle plate screws, lift plate, use brush to remove lint from feed dogs and bobbin area.
Oiling: Apply 1-2 drops of sewing machine oil to moving parts as indicated in diagram (do not over-oil).
Needle Replacement: Replace needle after every 8-10 hours of sewing or if bent/dull.
Storage: Cover machine when not in use to prevent dust accumulation.

CAUTION! Unplug machine before cleaning. Use only sewing machine oil; other oils may damage components.

Safety Information

Always follow safety guidelines to prevent injury.

Keep fingers away from moving needle.
Unplug machine when changing needle, cleaning, or not in use.
Do not sew over pins; remove pins before they reach needle.
Use proper needle for fabric type.
Keep machine dry; avoid water and liquids.
Do not operate if cord or plug is damaged.
Supervise children near operating machine.

Warranty & Support

Limited warranty: 25 years for mechanical parts, 2 years for electrical components. For support, visit www.brother-usa.com or contact Brother Customer Service at 1-877-276-8437. Register your product online for warranty validation.

Troubleshooting

Symptom	Possible Cause	Corrective Action
Machine not running	Power cord not plugged in	Check power connection; ensure switch is on.
Thread bunching underneath	Incorrect bobbin threading	Re-thread bobbin ensuring correct direction.
Needle breaks	Wrong needle size, bent needle	Replace with correct needle; ensure properly inserted.
Uneven stitches	Incorrect tension, threading	Re-thread upper and bobbin thread; adjust tension.
Fabric not feeding	Presser foot not lowered	Lower presser foot; clean feed dogs.
Machine noisy	Lint buildup, needs oiling	Clean and oil machine as per maintenance section.
Thread breaks	Old thread, incorrect tension	Use new quality thread; reduce tension.

Reset: Unplug machine for 5 minutes if electronic issues occur.

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