Singer XL400 Embroidery Sewing Machine–Tips and Error Messages

I’ve learned a lot about my Singer XL400 Embroidery Sewing Machine since I wrote my review.

Reverse Stitch Button

One thing that I didn’t know about the XL400, that I had to edit in my review was the ability to “back-stitch” when the thread runs out or breaks. It was frustrating that the thread ran out and there was no way—or so I thought—to go back and re-stitch where there were no stitches. There’s a little magic button on the machine, called the “Reverse Stitch Button” just above the Start/Stop button.

If your thread breaks, runs out, or doesn’t quite catch at the first few stitches because it’s too short (I recommend at least 5 inches of thread for it to catch), normally the machine doesn’t sense it and let you know until at least 8 stitches have past. If you notice it before the machine does, push the Stop button. Otherwise the machine will beep and stop on its own. Then push the Reverse Stich Button as many times as you need to in order to go back to where the stitches left off. If you hold down the button, you will notice that when you release it, it continues to go back for some time. As far as I know, there is no “forward” button if you go back too far. Press the Start button to start stitching.

Error 6 – How do I stop that beeping!

Beep-beep, beep-beep, beep-beep. This is the most annoying sound when heard over and over again as I have. Error 6 (with the #6 lit up) is the most common error. It happens for several reasons:

1. Top thread broke
2. Bobbin thread broke
3. Tension not right
4. Too much bulk and loose threads on the bottom of the design

#3 and #4 are the most common reasons for me. When you thread the machine, make sure that the thread catches in the tension. If it doesn’t, it will be loose and difficult to thread through the needle. You may have to re-thread the machine several times before it threads properly. And if you’re like me and just give up after the 20th try, you can thread the needle even though the tension hasn’t caught by holding onto the end of the thread with your left hand at the same time that you hold onto the thread at the base of the spool with your right hand, then, using your left hand and still holding onto the thread, push down on the automatic threader. Then hold onto the thread at the base of the spool very gently while stitching and it should correct itself. Then you can let go of the thread.
Oftentimes just gently holding onto the thread at the spool for about 10-20 stitches will stop the beeping. But be careful when you do this, as it may be the machine telling you that the bobbin thread is getting low and if you ignore it too long, the bobbin will run out.
There’s not much you can do about the bulkiness of the design, but by keeping threads trimmed, it will help to minimize the beeping. You can trim the thread on top with each block. Either let it stitch the entire block before snipping the thread, or let it stitch a few stitches, press Stop, snip, then press Start. I like keeping I snipped as I go so that the long threads don’t get stitched over. It’s easier to snip this way.

Connection Error

If you use a laptop and are moving it around, bumping it and whatnot, chances are you will receive this message. It will not stop the current stitching if you ignore it. But if you click “continue”, it will stop. Then you will have to click “Transmit to Machine” and it will ask if you want to continue with the current transmission. I have not figured out if clicking “yes” starts it where it left off or on the NEXT thread change. I messed up a couple designs by not paying attention to this. The thread colors were messed up and there were missed stitches. So the best thing to do is either

• ignore it--DO NOT CLICK on “continue” or X it out, but leave it alone and continue changing threads when each block is finished, or
• let it finish the current block then click “continue” or X but DO NOT continue with the current transmission. You will then have to send each block individually as you change colors.

The choice is yours. If you leave it alone, all the color changes will still be in the sewing machine, but it will not tell you what stitch or block you are on. I prefer to cancel the current transmission after it completes the block, then send each block individually. That way I know were it begins and how many stitches each block has.

How many stitches before the bobbin thread runs out?

For me, it averages about 20,000 stitches before the bobbin thread completely runs out, which is why it’s a good idea to keep a log that shows how many stitches you’ve used.

Embroidery Design Information Log

I’ve created a very handy log for keeping track of the designs that I embroider. You can download it here.  I print out about 20 at a time and keep it in a binder just for embroidery. It is helpful because if you ever need to embroider the same design again, you can easily see how it looks when it is finished, how many stitches you used in each thread color, and any problems you encountered while embroidering, such as when a color you used was lighter or darker than you would have liked, when you changed the bobbin thread, what interfacing you used and if it worked right or if you need to use a different one next time, etc. On the back you can place an image of the AutoPunch stitched image and the actual image so you can compare. Below is one that I have completed: