BROTHER 4234D
A 2-, 3- or 4-thread overlocker with a needle threader. It sews the seam, trims the excess fabric and overlocks the raw edge in one step.
The knife trims the excess fabric while the overlock stitch finishes the edge. The knife can be retracted when the edge does not need trimming. Brother recommends this model for intermediate and experienced sewers.
A four-colour thread path, a needle threader and the F.A.S.T. lower looper threading system make threading easier. For two-thread sewing, a special thread change assembly is included in the box. With the bed extension removed you get a free arm, which makes it easier to sew tubular pieces. A trim trap is included, while the wide table is an optional accessory.
Features
Colour-coded thread path
Each thread has its own colour: the yellow marks are for the left needle, green for the right needle, pink for the upper looper and blue for the lower looper. The tension dials use the same colours.
The threads run from the telescoping metal thread tree. The manual gives the threading order as lower looper, upper looper, left needle, right needle. The F.A.S.T. (Fast and Simple Threading) system helps with the lower looper: sliding the threading lever to the right (with the needle at its highest position) moves the looper into the position for threading.
Needle threader
A needle can be threaded in one touch: lowering the needle threader lever on the left side of the machine passes the thread through the eye of the needle. Before that, the thread is passed through the needle bar thread guides and cut with the thread cutter on the left side. Brother states that the threader works for both needles.
A change switch with L and R marks selects the thread path for the left or right needle. The needle threader cannot be used while the thread change assembly is fitted, so thread the needles first and fit the assembly afterwards.
Stitch length, width and differential feed
Stitch length is set with a dial on the right side of the body: from 2 to 4 mm, with 3 mm as the normal setting. Stitch width is changed with a separate dial: from 5 to 7 mm, with 5 mm as the normal setting.
The machine has two sets of feed dogs under the presser foot, front and rear. The differential feed changes the ratio of their speeds. The differential feed dial is at the bottom right of the body and changes the ratio from 0.7 to 2.0. The setting 1.0 is normal. A ratio below 1.0 stretches the fabric as it is sewn, so thin fabric does not pucker. A ratio above 1.0 gathers the fabric, so stretchy fabric does not ripple. The more elastic the fabric, the further the dial should be turned towards 2.0. Test the setting on a scrap of the same fabric. Do not use the differential feed on thick non-stretch fabrics such as denim, as Brother warns that it may damage the fabric.
More features
Presser foot pressure adjustment
A screw on the top left of the machine sets the pressure; the normal setting is “2”.
When sewing fine fabrics, the pressure can be adjusted to prevent puckering and to allow sewing curves.
If the fabric does not feed, the manual says to turn the screw clockwise to increase the pressure.
LED light
An energy-saving LED makes the sewing area brighter.
It is switched on with the same switch as the machine.
Accessory storage
The front cover compartment holds the thread change assembly, the needle set and the hex driver.
The tweezers sit on the inside of the front cover, and removed stitch fingers go into the bed extension compartment.
Changeable presser foot
- The standard presser foot is released by pushing the button on the presser foot holder.
- Another foot is placed under the holder and attached by lowering the presser foot lever.
- Turn the machine off or unplug it before changing the foot.
Trim trap
- The trap holds the trimmed fabric and thread produced when sewing.
- It can also be used as a foot controller holder; remove the foot controller from the trap when carrying the machine.
Foot controller and speed control
- Pressing the foot controller lightly runs the machine at a low speed.
- The more you press, the faster it sews, and when you release it the machine stops.
- The maximum speed is 1300 stitches per minute, compared with the normal 300 to 800 stitches per minute of an ordinary sewing machine.
Removable bed extension and free arm
- With the bed extension removed you get a free arm, which makes it easier to sew tubular pieces.
- The manual asks you not to lose the removed bed extension.
Retractable knife
- The knife can be retracted when the edge does not need trimming.
- Move the knife lever only while the needle is at its lowest point, and unplug the power cord from the socket first.
- Do not touch the knife.
- Do not leave pins in the fabric while sewing: the manual warns that they can damage the needles or the knives.
Rolled hem and narrow hem
- This is a decorative edge finish for light to medium-weight fabrics.
- The left needle and the stitch finger are removed, the stitch width dial is set to “R”, and the machine is threaded as a three-thread overlock using the right needle.
- The stitch length dial at “R” gives the rolled hem, and settings from “R” to 2 give the narrow hem.
- The removed parts are stored in the bed extension compartment.
Stitch fingers and thread twist protection
- Brother states that thread twist protection and two stitch finger widths improve the sewing quality.
- A stitch finger must be installed when sewing regular overlock stitches.
- A stitch finger W is included in the box: when sewing stretch fabrics, it keeps the fabric from stretching without adjusting the thread tension.
Blind stitch foot
- With the blind stitch foot, the blind hem stitch and the overlock are sewn at the same time.
- The manual notes that this suits cuffs, trouser bottoms, pockets and skirt hems.
- The stitch guide on the foot also helps with the flat lock, pin tuck and other decorative stitches.
Spool caps, spool nets and decorative thread
- When using sewing thread spools, fit the spool cap, with the spool notch at the bottom.
- If you sew with loosely spun nylon thread, the manual recommends covering the spool with the supplied net so that the thread does not slip off.
- The box includes 4 nets and 4 caps.
- The manual suggests using decorative thread in the upper looper.
Maintenance
- According to the manual, oil the machine before first use and, in normal use, once or twice a month (once a week with heavier use) after removing lint; clean dust with the included brush.
Carry handle
- The machine has a carry handle.
- Remove the foot controller from the trim trap before carrying the machine.
Thread chain at the start and end of a seam
- An overlocker leaves a chain of threads at the start and end of a seam.
- According to the manual, when the seam is finished you let the machine run slowly so the chain forms, then cut the threads at about 5 cm.
- The chain can be secured in two ways: sew back over it and trim the rest with the knife, or pull it into the end of the seam with a large-eye hand-sewing needle and fix it with a drop of fabric glue.
Motor and ventilation openings
- During continuous running the motor block warms up, but the manual says this does not affect performance.
- The ventilation openings on the side and rear of the machine must not be covered with paper or fabric, and lint, dust, fabric and thread ends must be cleaned off the vents and the foot controller regularly.
- While the motor runs, sparks may be visible through the vents in the motor block; the manual says they come from the carbon brushes and the commutator and are completely normal.
Changing needles
- Needles are changed with the included hex driver.
- First switch the machine off and turn the handwheel until the mark on it is aligned with the line on the machine.
- Then loosen the set screw of the corresponding needle and remove the needle.
- Hold the new needle with its flat side away from you, insert it as far as it will go and tighten the screw securely.
- If the needles are inserted correctly, the right needle sits slightly lower than the left one.
Handwheel
- The handwheel turns counterclockwise, the same direction as on an ordinary home sewing machine.
- The needles reach their highest position when the mark on the handwheel is aligned with the line on the machine.
Stitches
Brother lists nine stitches. In the photo they are arranged in three rows of three, from left to right; the labels are in English. In the figure: 1 – 4-thread overlock stitch, 2 – 3-thread narrow overlock stitch, 3 – 3-thread wide overlock stitch, 4 – 2-thread flat lock, 5 – 3-thread flat lock, 6 – pin tuck, 7 – blind hem, 8 – rolled hem, 9 – narrow hem. The blind hem and the 3-thread flat lock are sewn with the blind stitch foot and the left needle, with the right needle removed. The 3-thread flat lock is not suitable for thin fabrics. The manual also describes a two-thread overlock stitch, which needs the thread change assembly.
- 4-thread overlock stitch – a strong seam, suitable for knits and wovens
- 3-thread narrow overlock stitch, 2.8 mm (right needle, left needle removed) – suitable for fine to medium materials
- 3-thread wide overlock stitch, 5 mm (left needle, right needle removed) – suitable for medium to heavy materials
- 2-thread flat lock
- 3-thread flat lock
- Pin tuck
- Blind hem
- Rolled hem
- Narrow hem
Stitch settings from the manual
| Stitch | Threads and needles | Stitch width | Stitch length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4-thread overlock stitch | 4 threads, left and right needles | 5–7 mm | 2–4 mm |
| 3-thread wide overlock stitch | 3 threads, left needle (right needle removed) | 5 mm | 2–4 mm |
| 3-thread narrow overlock stitch | 3 threads, right needle (left needle removed) | 2.8 mm | 2–4 mm |
| 2-thread wide overlock stitch | 2 threads, left needle (right needle removed), thread change assembly | 5 mm | 3 mm |
| 2-thread narrow overlock stitch | 2 threads, right needle (left needle removed), thread change assembly | 2.8 mm | 3 mm |
| Narrow hem | 3 threads, right needle; left needle and stitch finger removed | R | R to 2.0 mm |
| Rolled hem | 3 threads, right needle; left needle and stitch finger removed | R | R |
| Blind hem | 3 threads, left needle (right needle removed), blind stitch foot | 5 mm | 3–4 mm |
| 3-thread flat lock | 3 threads, left needle (right needle removed), blind stitch foot; not suitable for thin fabrics | 5 mm | 2–4 mm |
| Pin tuck | As for the narrow hem, with the blind stitch foot | R | R to 2.0 mm |
Fabrics, threads and needles
| Fabric | Stitch | Stitch length, mm | Thread | Needle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fine (e.g. georgette, lawn, organdy, tricot) | Overlock stitch | 2.0–3.0 | Spun No. 80–90, cotton No. 100 or filament No. 80–100 | SCHMETZ 130/705H No. 80 |
| Fine (same fabrics) | Narrow overlock and rolled hem | R–2.0 | Needle thread: spun No. 80–90 or filament No. 80–100. Looper thread: woolly nylon, spun No. 80–90 or filament No. 80–100 | SCHMETZ 130/705H No. 80 |
| Medium (e.g. broadcloth, gabardine, serge) | Overlock stitch | 2.5–3.5 | Spun No. 60–80, cotton No. 60–80 or filament No. 60–80 | SCHMETZ 130/705H No. 80 or No. 90 |
| Medium (same fabrics) | Narrow overlock and rolled hem | R–2.0 | Needle thread: spun No. 60–80 or filament No. 60–80. Looper thread: woolly nylon, spun No. 60–80 or filament No. 60–80 | SCHMETZ 130/705H No. 80 or No. 90 |
| Heavy (e.g. tweed, denim, knits) | Overlock stitch | 3.0–4.0 | Cotton No. 50–60, spun No. 60 or filament No. 50–60 | SCHMETZ 130/705H No. 90 |
Videos
These videos were published by other authors (Patterns by Anna (Happy-Sewing) and mommymade), not by Brother.
Technical specifications
| Fabrics | From fine to heavy |
|---|---|
| Maximum sewing speed | 1300 stitches/min |
| Stitch width | 5–7 mm (dial range); 2.3–7 mm in the manual's table |
| Stitch length | 2–4 mm, the normal setting is 3 mm |
| Differential feed ratio | 0.7–2.0, the normal setting is 1.0 |
| Needle bar stroke | 25 mm |
| Presser foot lift | 5–6 mm |
| Presser foot pressure | Adjustable, the normal setting is “2” |
| Thread tension | Four colour-marked dials: yellow for the left needle, green for the right needle, pink for the upper looper and blue for the lower looper. Most sewing is done at “4” (standard thread: SPAN 60/3Z). For heavy tension use 4 to 7, for light tension 4 to 2 and for medium tension 5 to 3. |
| Seam allowance guide | 9.5, 12.7, 15.9 and 25.4 mm when the stitch width dial is set to “5” |
| Needles | SCHMETZ 130/705H, a standard home sewing machine needle; No. 80 or No. 90 is recommended. To reduce fabric breakage, the manual suggests SCHMETZ 130/705H SUK No. 90 with a ball point. |
| Threads and needles | 2, 3 or 4 threads (convertible); one or two needles |
| Knife drive | Driven from below |
| Weight | 6 kg |
| Dimensions (W × D × H) | 33.5 × 27.9 × 29.8 cm |
| Country of origin | Taiwan |
| Intended use | Household use (according to the Brother manual) |
| Warranty | 3 years (1 year for commercial use, according to Brother) |
In the box
In the box, according to the Brother manufacturer's page and operation manual.
- Soft cover
- Accessory bag
- Blind stitch foot
- Trim trap
- Tweezers
- Spool nets (4 pcs)
- Thread spool caps (4 pcs)
- Cleaning brush
- Hex driver
- Needle set SCHMETZ 130/705H (No. 80 – 2 pcs, No. 90 – 2 pcs)
- Thread change assembly
- Stitch finger W
- Foot controller (with power cord)
- Instruction DVD
- Instruction manual
Optional accessories (not included in the box)
List compiled from the Brother operation manual and the Brother support page section 'Consumables & Options' for this model.
- Wide table SERGERWT – extends the sewing area of the overlocker; the manual says it makes sewing large pieces easier. Size 35 cm (W) × 25.5 cm (D); it can also be used as an accessory box. Do not move the machine while the wide table is attached.
- Gathering foot SA213 – designed for gathering and sewing in one operation
- Pearls and sequins foot SA211 – lets you sew a sequence of pearls onto fabric; the manual calls it the “Pearl sequence foot” and gives pearl sequences of 3–5 mm, while the Brother support page gives pearls and sequins up to 5 mm in diameter; the manual mentions decorating the edges of curtains, tablecloths and dresses
- Piping foot SA210 – lets you sew piping into the edge of the fabric; the manual mentions decorating the edges of pyjamas and sportswear, furniture covers, cushions and bags
- Tape and elastic foot SA212 – lets you attach elastic or tape in one step; the manual gives a tape or elastic width of 6–12 mm
Manuals
Any questions?
Call +370 685 85915 or email info@siuvimomanija.lt. We will help you check whether this overlocker is right for your work.