Brother-pr655-embroidery-machine

Shop Area: Textiles Tool: Brother PR655 Embroidery Machine Requires in-person training: Peer-to Peer Training Recommened

Procedure Number UG 141-01, Rev. 1

Date 07/01/2026

Embroidery with the Brother PR655

GENERAL

Feature	Brother PR655
Embroidery Area	12" x 8"
Needle Count	6
Max Speed	1,000 SPM
Built-in Designs	25 + 60 (USB)
Display Technology	HD LCD Touchscreen

Brother PR655 Embroidery Machine Manual : https://download.brother.com/welcome/doch001115/pr655ug01en.pdf

SAFETY

This is generally considered a safe machine, however any machine that is used improperly could be hazardous. While sewing always keep hands clear of the embroidery area.

PROCEDURE

Power on the machine, power button is located on the back right. Touch screen to begin. There are several designs to choose from Check the machine to see what kind of attachments are in place and to make sure all of the needles are threaded. Chose a fabric and stabilizer and attach to a 'Fast Frame' (this is the most convenient and commonly used style of attaching your work piece to the machine) stabilizers are set underneath your fabric of choice (unless you embroidering on a knit fabric those require a special top stabilizer). Setup the design in the machine and embroider.

My First Embroidery

Embroider your initials

Step 1.4

This is a predetermined project laid out step-by-step to guide you in practicing base knowledge for this tool.

Fast Frames Step 2.1

My First Project

1. Setting up the design
   1. Turn on the Machine (a little song to welcome you chimes)
   2. Touch screen to begin
   3. "The machine will move" message pops (its not lying) move your hands and press "OK"
   4. Choose one color font (see photo "step 1.4" )
   5. Choose your letters
   6. When you are ready to progress to the next step press "SET"
   7. Notice the size of your piece (you may adjust size or rotation in this screen)
   8. when your finished editing press "END EDIT"
2. It's time to set up the work area.
   1. Keeping in mind your project size choose a "fast track" or "fast frame" (they are the same thing, names used interchangeably name) These are the most typical attachment used, and is the most likely to be set up at the machine when you arrive. They are stored over the work bench. (Image 2.1)
   2. Choose your fabric, a piece of cotton or lightweight canvas should do nicely.
   3. Find the "stabilizer" this is used on every embroidery project to, well... stabilize the piece while embroidering. It's white and semi opaque. Typically lives under the embroidery work bench or in embroidery storage to the right of the machine.
   4. Cut both the fabric and stabilizer to fit the chosen fast frame, the stabilizer goes on the top of the fast frame then the fabric on top of that. Attach using binder clips.
   5. Great! Now its time to attach the fast frame to the Fast Frame "Arm" (if the fast frame receiver is not already there follow the steps in this video: https://youtu.be/S3WEFdFloas?si=fVz_3zm2kZFeg5Cv > second 56) If the frame is attached this should be as simple as loosening the middle knob, putting on the fast frame and settling it into place, and tightening the knob to secure the frame.
   6. Check the thread color in the first position this will be your color for your first project.
3. Embroider
   1. Now you're ready to trace out your initials to make sure they fit on your workspace. Use the trace button (white square with a dotted line around it) if the needles hit metal the are likely to break. Change size of your embroidery in previous screens if needed.
   2. You are ready to embroider. Push the "SEWING" button to advance to the next screen
   3. Push the lock button on the screen and the arrow below will flash green push that too the machine will begin sewing now!
   4. Watch your project happen! If you have any trouble along the way check out the troubleshooting section. When it's finished detach everything and trim or tear away your stabilizer.
   5. Tidy up and done!

My Second Embroidery

Multicolor preloaded design

Position number image 1.8

Many steps from the first project will repeat here. New steps are italicized.

1. Setting up the design
   1. Turn on the Machine (a little song to welcome you chimes)
   2. Touch screen to begin
   3. "The machine will move" message pops (its not lying) move your hands and press "OK"
   4. Choose a multicolor design and press "SET"
   5. Notice the size of your piece in the middle grey bar (you may adjust size or rotation in this screen)
   6. When your finished editing press "END EDIT"
   7. Press "SEWING"
   8. When you are in the sewing screen notice the thread icons, the numbers next to them represent thier position on the machine (positions 1-6). (image 1.8) The colors that show up on the screen represent the colors seen in the design. This is obvious but, the colors on the physical thread rack on the back of the machine are the colors that will actually be embroidered in thier corresponding position. We won't go into changing the color of the tread spool icon, only the changing of the physical thread.
2. Changing threads.
   1. Cut the string for the previous position one thread just above the spool.
   2. Remove the previous thread and put your chosen thread in its place. Embroidery threads are stored next to the machine on the metal rack.
   3. Without pulling the previous thread too much tie the two tails together. You will be using the previous thread as a guide to pull the new thread through the machine, this is much faster than than threading the machine by hand and works very well, however it is very good to learn the threading process so that you can know when there is a threading issue when troubleshooting. How to thread : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk_xvHxAVv4
   4. Remove the lowest part of the thread from the needle only. Pull the thread from the bottom and watch it pull all the way through the machine.
   5. Thread the needle leaving a bit of a tail.
   6. Repeat those steps for each thread position.
3. It's time to set up the work area.
   1. Keeping in mind your project size choose a "fast track" or "fast frame" (they are the same thing, names used interchangeably name) These are the most typical attachment used, and is the most likely to be set up at the machine when you arrive. They are stored over the work bench. (Image 2.1)
   2. Choose your fabric, a piece of cotton or lightweight canvas should do nicely.
   3. Find the "stabilizer" this is used on every embroidery project to, well... stabilize the piece while embroidering. It's white and semi opaque. Typically lives under the embroidery work bench or in embroidery storage to the right of the machine.
   4. Cut both the fabric and stabilizer to fit the chosen fast frame, the stabilizer goes on the top of the fast frame then the fabric on top of that. Attach using binder clips.
   5. Great! Now its time to attach the fast frame to the Fast Frame "Arm" (if the fast frame receiver is not already there follow the steps in this video: https://youtu.be/S3WEFdFloas?si=fVz_3zm2kZFeg5Cv > second 56) If the frame is attached this should be as simple as loosening the middle knob, putting on the fast frame and settling it into place, and tightening the knob to secure the frame.
   6. Check the thread color in the first position this will be your color for your first project.
4. Embroider
   1. Now you're ready to trace out your initials to make sure they fit on your workspace. Use the trace button (white square with a dotted line around it) if the needles hit metal the are likely to break. Change size of your embroidery in previous screens if needed.
   2. You are ready to embroider. Push the "SEWING" button to advance to the next screen
   3. Push the lock button on the screen and the arrow below will flash green push that too the machine will begin sewing now!
   4. Watch your project happen! If you have any trouble along the way check out the troubleshooting section. When it's finished detach everything and trim or tear away your stabilizer.
   5. Tidy up and done!

My Third Embroidery

Custom embroidery digitizing with Inkstitch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPaGwjwpzWc

My Forth Embroidery

Embroidering a hat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koOPpVUuSC4

TROUBLESHOOTING

• Always check that the machine is threaded properly, sewing machines of any kind are notoriously particular when it comes to threading, the tiniest missed detail can lead to problems obvious in the quality of your product. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk_xvHxAVv4
• Make sure tread tail is long enough to not pull out of the needle as soon sewing begins
• Make sure the bobbin spool is seated correctly. There is a magnet in these fancy pre-wound bobbins we buy, the magnet should always face in towards the metal bobbin case. If the spool is not turning in the correct direction or if its not seated well the machine will be embroidering will be interrupted regularly with error messages and your piece will be low quality.
• Check that the bobbin spool is more than a quarter full, when the bobbin thread gets low it tends to make the machine perform poorly.
• Needles, they can break and dull regularly with use. Check to make sure needles aren't broken. If the needles are dull they can easily cause issues. It's normal to troubleshoot replacing needles if you've already made sure the machine is threaded properly. If you are a normal user of this machine or any sewing machine learning to change the needles is part of what you'll need to know for success. Video tutorial on needle changing: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89EveDvM6k0
• The tension is not this issue as frequently as one might think. Ancel, our area Shop Captain has spent a lot of time understanding and tinkering with tension on this machine to get it into tip-top shape. Adjusting tension dramatically will likely not yield the desired results. If you are adjusting tension for trouble shooting please do so thoughtfully always being able to return the tension to its original position if that was not in fact the issue.

REFERENCE

• Hat attachment video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=koOPpVUuSC4)
• Custom embroidery digitizing with Inkstitch (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mPaGwjwpzWc)
• Threading, bobbin, and color change Tutorial (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hmb22uwrJZ4)
• Ode to the PR655 and general use (https://www.maggieframes.com/blogs/embroidery-blogs/brother-pr655-ultimate-guide-mastering-your-6-needle-embroidery-machine)
• Glossary of terms (https://kimberbell.com/blogs/thekimberbellablog/machine-embroidery-glossary-of-terms?srsltid=AfmBOopqK-5z8W5BCG8x9qDt5MqvqbmO1LrQKS6Tr2qFypRPuW49Uj0E)

                                   END OF THE PROCEDURE