I couldn't find the Brother XL-3520, so I'll just ask here. I noticed that I have a single needle (already attached to machine) and a double needle attachment but I need a thicker needle for heavyweight fabrics. Where can I get additional needles? Will any needle fit my machine?

I found the manual for the XL-3520 through the Brother support site: http://support.brother.com/g/b/productsearch.aspx?c=ca&lang=en&content=ml . Click on the Home Sewing Machine link and then the XL series. The manual for the XL-3520 is shared with a few other models and the link I found was http://support.brother.com/g/b/manualtop.aspx?c=ca&lang=en&prod=hf_xl3500t3510eus . The current link to the user manual for the XL-3520 is http://download.brother.com/welcome/doch000238/xl3500ug01en.pdf .

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

Skipped stitches

1. The needle is not inserted correctly

Remove needle & reinsert needle( flat side towards the back of machine)

2. The needle is damaged

replace with new needle

3. The wrong size needle is being used

Choose a needle to suit the thread & fabric

4. The foot not attached correctly

Check & attach correctly

Is it a push in and twist bulb? Or a screw in bulbs like the old Holiday lights? Both can be had in the states but we have different power voltage.

I looked at your manual from Brother's download and it looks to me like it's a push and twist (some folks call it bayonete style) but I can't tell for sure.

Here is a UK source... once you determine which bulb... these folks should have it for you.

http://www.sewingmachine-sales.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=sewing+machine+light+bulbs&x=0&y=0

call your local Brother dealer.

Check the clamp for a crack it sounds like it may have been broken. Good luck

there could be a broken or loose part in the machine, it needs to be serviced

first you take out the single needle, then you insert the double needle the same way you would the regular needle

the flat side goes toward the back of the machine inserted all the way up into the needle holder
then you take the 2 spools of thread & put them on the spool holders

then you thread the machine with the first spool just like when your going to sew normally with one needle & then you thread the first needle
& then the second spool is threaded the same path as the other spool,, ever guide & then you thread the second needle

then you make sure you have thread tails for top & bobbin thread of 3 to 6 inches long, pulled toward the back of the machine before you start to sew

happy sewing

have you tried changing the needle? if it's a new needle is it inserted correctly---flat side to the back of the machine---needle push up in inside the needle holder
have you tried cleaning under the needle plate & in the bobbin area for lint or loose threads?
have you checked the bobbin to make sure it's not warped
have you checked the bobbin is inserted correctly?

if you've already tried these things then the last thing that possible is the machine is out of time & needs to be serviced by a repair shop that have the correct tool to time it

Sounds like the needle is hitting the moving part of the pleater once you get going, getting bent then striking the needle plate too.

Its not going to do the machine any good if you keep striking it with the needle as you'll end up putting the timing out.

As the pleater is a generic type it is probably best to stop trying to use it on your machine.

You can use a special double needle - the back will still be a single line of threads.