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The Skitch PP1 is the world’s smallest free-arm embroidery machine. Shirt sleeves, tote bags, trouser legs, t-shirts, bucket hats, it’s all possible right from your craft table.

Your designs, your choice, your style.

Want to know more about the Skitch PP1 desktop, free arm embroidery machine?

Phone with Artspira app surrounded by fun designs

Powered by Artspira

With Artspira’s* designing power draw your own embroideries, convert to cross stitch, digitise images and portraits, and access amazing designs to stitch out right before your eyes.

 

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Want to know more about Brother’s Artspira embroidery design app?

Brother Skitch PP1: easier to use than your coffee machine.

Brother Skitch PP1: digitise, customise, create.

Need help with the Brother Skitch PP1 app-oprated embroidery machine?

Thread jam or bunches underneath (bird’s nesting)

Important: Do not thread your machine with power off. You need to follow the threading instructions when connected to Artspira.

Check the upper thread.

  1. Check to make sure that the upper thread was threaded properly through the thread path and that it isn't tangled. If so, remove the thread completely from the machine and re-thread it as per instruction manual.




  2. A common mistake is to thread with the foot lowered, this will cause thread to bunch underneath through lack of tension. Always thread your machine with the Q foot raised.
  3. Important point to check is thread guide number 6, making sure the thread is in the correct position prior to starting your machine. If the thread is in the wrong position, then excess tension will be applied.



  4. Make sure you're using the correct size spool cap for the size of the thread spool. (Metallic thread, cone shaped or cross threaded spools of thread, be sure to use a spool net around the spool of thread.)



  5. Ensure fabric, Thread, needle & stabiliser combinations are correct.


Important: Do not thread your machine with power off. You need to follow the threading instructions when connected to Artspira.


Check the bobbin thread

  1. Turn the machine off and unplug it.



  2. Check the lower bobbin.
  3. Remove the bobbin and make sure the bobbin is inserted and threaded correctly as per quick reference guide.



  4. Remove any loose threads or lint in the shuttle race by using the brush instead of blowing into the machine.

 

  1. Make sure that there are no scratches or burrs on the bobbin case (if so, it will need to be replaced).
  2. Make sure you are using the correct size bobbin that was designed for this machine. 11.5mm
  3. The bobbin thread may not be wound properly. Wind a new bobbin to test and to see if this could be the issue.


Make sure you're using the correct size spool cap for the size of the thread spool. (Metallic thread, cone shaped or cross threaded spools of thread, be sure to use a spool net around the spool of thread.)



Ensure fabric, thread, needle & stabiliser combinations are correct.

The tension could be too tight or too loose.
Reset top tension to factory setting and rethread.

Lower bobbin is not inserted into tension adjusting spring correctly.

  1. Rethread with the foot raised, always thread your machine machine with the foot raised.
  2. Do not thread your machine with power off you need to follow the threading instructions when connected to Artspira.
  3. Upper tension dial set too loose (reset to factory setting.)

This error is displayed in Artspira on your smart device.


 

If you see this error message displayed on your smart device, it means that the needle plate sensor isn’t being made.
This is usually due to the needle plate not being attached correctly.

 

To attach the needle plate correctly. First line up the needle plate so that the locating pins are in the position shown in the image below.



Next slide it forward at a high angle shown in the image below so that the locating pins are beneath the silver needle plate.
Then lower the needle plate down.
You will see the pin on the needle plate will be positioned to push down on the needle plate sensor switch. (As shown in the image below)
If you attach your needle plate like this and are still getting the error, please contact your local Brother service agent.

This error is displayed in Artspira on your smart device.



This error is informing you that there is some type of mechanical seizure within the machine.
This error can occur when your bobbin case (the black bit the bobbin sits inside) becomes trapped in the wrong position.
This image shows the bobbin case in the incorrect position. (This is just an example of how it may look, your may be trapped in a different position to this).



To fix this error, you must remove the bobbin case.
To do this loosen or completely remove the silver needle plate.
Then remove the bobbin case.



Once the bobbin case is removed, please replace the silver needle plate and screw it down using the disc shaped screwdriver which came with your machine.



At this point, please turn the machine around so you are looking at the back.
Now turn the handwheel anti-clockwise. (It is important you only turn the handwheel in this direction)



Does the handwheel turn freely?
If it does, then this proves that the bobbin case was restricting the movement causing the error.
If the handwheel does not turn freely then please contact your local Brother service agent.
Please check the bobbin case for damage. This is an image of how your bobbin case should look.



If there is any damage to the bobbin case, it will need to be replaced. Please contact your local Brother dealership to purchase a replacement bobbin case.
Now put the bobbin case back into the machine.
This is the correct way for the bobbin case to be inserted.
The white mark on the bobbin case should be lined up with the dot on your machine.
Once in this position place your finger on the bobbin case and move it left and right, it should wobble slightly.

This error is displayed in Artspira on your smart device.



If this error appears then it means that your machine is detecting that your bobbin thread (the lower thread) is running low.

Always press the “move the frame to the attach / detach position” first.

This will move the frame into the correct position for you to safely remove it.

Once the frame is removed from your machine, please remove the bobbin cover by sliding it towards you.

Remove the bobbin.

Wind the bobbin with bobbin thread.

If you are not getting a warning on Artspira informing you that your bobbin thread is almost empty, there are a couple of things you can try.
The machine knows that the bobbin thread is running low by using a sensor that detects a signal being sent from one side of the bobbin to the other.
If this signal is blocked in anyway the machine will think the bobbin is not running low and the warning will not appear.

Things to check are:

  • Make sure you are only using clear plastic bobbins.
  • If your clear plastic bobbins are discoloured then this can also cause the thread detection to not work correctly.
  • Please remove the needle plate and bobbin case (the black bit that the bobbin sits inside) then clean inside the machine, removing any lint or thread which may be collecting inside this area. (When removing the needle plate, you only need to remove the dark grey clip on part not the silver needle plate with the 2 screws in it – image below)

If a communication error between your mobile device and the machine occurs, confirm the following conditions to solve the problem:

  • Is the machine on?
    Make sure the machine is turned on.
  • Is the distance between the machine and your mobile device too far?
    Make sure the machine and your mobile device are close enough to communicate.
  • Is any device that emits radio waves, such as a microwave oven, interfering with the communication?
    Make sure no devices that emit radio waves are nearby.
  • Is your mobile device's Bluetooth setting turned on?
    Check your mobile device's Bluetooth settings.

If the error between the mobile device and the machine that is being paired with the app persists, unpair it and try pairing again.

This machine is calibrated to use 40-50 thread weight on top and 90 weight bobbin thread.

If using improper threads such as a 60wt thread (the most commonly used embroidery bobbin thread) the tension will not properly balance and could lead to other problems such as thread breakage.

When embroidering, the thread tension should be set so that the upper thread can slightly be seen on the underneath of the fabric.

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Brother SupportCenter App

At Brother we’re always ‘at your side’ and will be with you every step of your embroidery journey.

Our support app is only a click away, so download today.

 

 

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*Brother Artspira embroidery and cutting design app is free to download and use for all current Brother wireless embroidery and cutting machine users. However, some features of the app must be purchased via the Artspira+ subscription and may be limited dependent on resident country. See in-app for more details.