I hate this machine! All it does is gum the threads up.
Sewing machine tension problems rank within the top three user complaints. It does not matter whether the machine itself is a cheap dime store machine or if it is an elegant high quality machine. When the sewing machine tensions are mess up, it can be extremely aggravating. Excess threads may bubble up on top of the fabric, or it may bunch up hidden underneath. In either case, learning to adjust the tensions properly is essential.
What causes poor sewing machine tensions? There are many possible sources. The threading may be faulty. If the upper thread does not seat properly into the tension assembly, problems result. If there is a snag on spool or on one of the thread guides, problems result. Missing a thread guide, tension spring, or the bobbin tensioner can cause problems. There are a dozen places where jagged edges, dirt, burrs, or other rough spots can snag the thread resulting in poor tensions. Bad thread causes problems. Dull needles cause problems. Dirt causes problems.
Properly set tensions should produce stitches with the upper and lower thread locked together in the center of the fabric. When you look at the seam from the top side, you should see a smooth even flow of thread with tiny holes into the fabric. When you turn the fabric over, you should see exactly the same quality stitching as you saw from the top side. The stitches should be snug and show no extra threads on top or bottom.
Tension is simply the resistance created by the sewing machine to guide and manipulate the thread making it do what it is intended. When this resistance is adjusted correctly, the upper thread and lower thread mechanism balance each other. The result is a quality stitch without excess threads where they should not be.
Imagine the fabric is a stream of water. The threads are like ropes across the stream. One tug of war team pulls up and another pulls down. Each team pulls across the stream. If the lower team or bobbin team pulls harder than the upper tension team, excess thread will collect under the fabric out of sight until you lift the fabric to see ugly bunches of thread. It may even look fine on top while the threads jam up underneath. If the upper team pulls harder than the lower team, excess threads pop up on top of the fabric. Usually, you will see bubbles, balls, or bunches of thread almost as soon as they stitch.
Remember, your goal is to provide the same or equal tension from the upper and lower threads.
The first thing you should do when you see messed up tensions, is to rethread the upper thread. Are you using a spool cap? Check for any rough spots that might snag the thread. Check for any debris or lint in the tension discs. Before threading the tension mechanism, lift the presser foot. Make sure everything is right. When you reach the needle, tug on the thread. It should draw smoothly with very little resistance. Put the presser foot down and pull again. Now there should be significant resistance.
The bobbin tension is usually more dependable than the upper tension. However, lint and debris can collect under the tension spring. Also if you change the size of bobbin thread, you will need to adjust the lower tension. To make this adjustment look for a tiny slotted screw pressing down on the bobbin tension spring. Turn right to tighten or left to loosen. You may prefer to have a professional make this adjustment if it is necessary.
Next, adjust the upper tension to equalize the lower tension. You may need to rely on some trial and error until you get it just right. Ignore the numbers on the tension dial, unless they are really low or really high. In this case you may need to disassemble the tension assembly to make the repair, or have a technician to do.
Testing is good. Using scap material sew a seam using a straight stitch and then a moderate zig zag stitch. Check the quality of the stitch? Are the tension balanced? Do you see any problems? If so continue to experiment until you are satisfied. Remember, if you test on scrap, before sewing on your fine finish fabric, you will save loads of frustration and sew with greater confidence.
When you sew a zig zag stitch, you may see minor flaws on one side of the zig zag and not the other. This is sometimes due to the a design flaw in the sewing machine itself. If after making several attempts to adjust for this irregularity you still see slight problems. Reduce the length and/or width of the stitch. Adjust it so that any irregularities you may still see are consistently underneath the fabric instead of on the facing side. This way no one will ever see the flaw.
When you understand how your sewing machine tensions work, you can adjust them with confidence. In those rare instances where your best efforts fail, you can always rely on your local sewing machine repair technician. - 16035
Sewing machine tension problems rank within the top three user complaints. It does not matter whether the machine itself is a cheap dime store machine or if it is an elegant high quality machine. When the sewing machine tensions are mess up, it can be extremely aggravating. Excess threads may bubble up on top of the fabric, or it may bunch up hidden underneath. In either case, learning to adjust the tensions properly is essential.
What causes poor sewing machine tensions? There are many possible sources. The threading may be faulty. If the upper thread does not seat properly into the tension assembly, problems result. If there is a snag on spool or on one of the thread guides, problems result. Missing a thread guide, tension spring, or the bobbin tensioner can cause problems. There are a dozen places where jagged edges, dirt, burrs, or other rough spots can snag the thread resulting in poor tensions. Bad thread causes problems. Dull needles cause problems. Dirt causes problems.
Properly set tensions should produce stitches with the upper and lower thread locked together in the center of the fabric. When you look at the seam from the top side, you should see a smooth even flow of thread with tiny holes into the fabric. When you turn the fabric over, you should see exactly the same quality stitching as you saw from the top side. The stitches should be snug and show no extra threads on top or bottom.
Tension is simply the resistance created by the sewing machine to guide and manipulate the thread making it do what it is intended. When this resistance is adjusted correctly, the upper thread and lower thread mechanism balance each other. The result is a quality stitch without excess threads where they should not be.
Imagine the fabric is a stream of water. The threads are like ropes across the stream. One tug of war team pulls up and another pulls down. Each team pulls across the stream. If the lower team or bobbin team pulls harder than the upper tension team, excess thread will collect under the fabric out of sight until you lift the fabric to see ugly bunches of thread. It may even look fine on top while the threads jam up underneath. If the upper team pulls harder than the lower team, excess threads pop up on top of the fabric. Usually, you will see bubbles, balls, or bunches of thread almost as soon as they stitch.
Remember, your goal is to provide the same or equal tension from the upper and lower threads.
The first thing you should do when you see messed up tensions, is to rethread the upper thread. Are you using a spool cap? Check for any rough spots that might snag the thread. Check for any debris or lint in the tension discs. Before threading the tension mechanism, lift the presser foot. Make sure everything is right. When you reach the needle, tug on the thread. It should draw smoothly with very little resistance. Put the presser foot down and pull again. Now there should be significant resistance.
The bobbin tension is usually more dependable than the upper tension. However, lint and debris can collect under the tension spring. Also if you change the size of bobbin thread, you will need to adjust the lower tension. To make this adjustment look for a tiny slotted screw pressing down on the bobbin tension spring. Turn right to tighten or left to loosen. You may prefer to have a professional make this adjustment if it is necessary.
Next, adjust the upper tension to equalize the lower tension. You may need to rely on some trial and error until you get it just right. Ignore the numbers on the tension dial, unless they are really low or really high. In this case you may need to disassemble the tension assembly to make the repair, or have a technician to do.
Testing is good. Using scap material sew a seam using a straight stitch and then a moderate zig zag stitch. Check the quality of the stitch? Are the tension balanced? Do you see any problems? If so continue to experiment until you are satisfied. Remember, if you test on scrap, before sewing on your fine finish fabric, you will save loads of frustration and sew with greater confidence.
When you sew a zig zag stitch, you may see minor flaws on one side of the zig zag and not the other. This is sometimes due to the a design flaw in the sewing machine itself. If after making several attempts to adjust for this irregularity you still see slight problems. Reduce the length and/or width of the stitch. Adjust it so that any irregularities you may still see are consistently underneath the fabric instead of on the facing side. This way no one will ever see the flaw.
When you understand how your sewing machine tensions work, you can adjust them with confidence. In those rare instances where your best efforts fail, you can always rely on your local sewing machine repair technician. - 16035
About the Author:
Discover more about sewing machine tensions and sewing macine repair from sewing machine repair educatorDavid Trumble's sewing macine repair courses. Download your free copy of his beginning course 7 Steps To Peak Performance For Your Sewing Machine.
