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.
The problems with sewing machine tensions may result from many different things. Threading is often a problem. You may have threaded your sewing machine a thousand times, but if the thread rides along the ridge of the tension discs, you get problems. Dirt, grit, gunk, and lint can cause the system to mess up. Rough spots, irregular surfaces, burrs, and rust can ruin tensions. Loosely wound bobbins, bad thread, dull needles, and of course mechanical failures can produce tension problems.
Proper stitches form when the upper and lower threads interlace in a locked stitch in the middle of the fabric. There should be no excess thread on the top of the fabric or underneath. The thread should flow smoothly and tightly from one stitch to another without puckers, looseness, or wobbles.
To achieve these perfect stitches the upper and lower threading must be just right. The drag or resistance of the upper tension system and the bobbin tension system must balance each other precisely.
Standing on top of your sewing machine is an imaginary little person. You might call them little people or gnome or leprechaun. He pulls on the thread from the top. Another little person is under the needle plate of your sewing machine. Each one is pulling on their thread. The one that pulls the strongest gets the most thread. If the fellow on top, pulls harder than the one below, you will see little puckers, wobbles, or balls of thread along the top of the fabric. If the little fellow on the bottom pulls harder, you will see bunches of tangled threads underneath the fabric. Only when they pull equally, do you see a proper stitch without excess threads.
When you see tension problems, do not panic. All you have to do is modify the resistance on the top and bottom until they equalize.
First, rethread the sewing machine. Take great care to make sure everything is right. Lift the presser foot before threading the tension assembly, and put it down once your reach the needle. Test the upper tension with a little tug before your thread the needle. Presser foot up should have little drag. Presser foot down should have significant drag.
Take your bobbin out. Is the thread wound evenly? It should be. Place it back in its carrier. Check the tension spring for any debris or lint that may have collected under it and clean it out. Slide the thread under the tension spring. Test it to make sure there is moderate resistance on the thread. This usually does not require adjustment unless you change the size of thread significantly. Some suggest that a professional sewing machine repair person make these adjustments when needed.
Finally, tighten the upper tension until it balances the lower tension providing stitches that meet in the middle of the fabric. Test and retest. Keep in mind the numbers on you upper tension do not really mean much. The key is to balance the resistance.
Sew a trial seam on scrap fabric. Sew a straight stich and then a medium zig zag. Examine the stitch quality. Continue making slight adjustments until your get a stitch that pleases you. Avoid sewing on finish fabric, until you have confidence that your stitch quality is what it should be. Avoid frustration.
You may notice irregularities on one side of a zig zag stitch and not on the other. Test and adjust until it looks the best you can make it. Some machines have design issues that make a perfect zig zag stitch almost impossible. If you want a perfect stitch and you have one of these older machine, consider getting a better machine.
Now that you understand how your sewing machine tensions work, you can use your sewing machine with renewed confidence. Make the adjustments you need when you need them. Always remember, a trip to the sewing machine shop can relieve stress when all else fails. - 16463
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.
The problems with sewing machine tensions may result from many different things. Threading is often a problem. You may have threaded your sewing machine a thousand times, but if the thread rides along the ridge of the tension discs, you get problems. Dirt, grit, gunk, and lint can cause the system to mess up. Rough spots, irregular surfaces, burrs, and rust can ruin tensions. Loosely wound bobbins, bad thread, dull needles, and of course mechanical failures can produce tension problems.
Proper stitches form when the upper and lower threads interlace in a locked stitch in the middle of the fabric. There should be no excess thread on the top of the fabric or underneath. The thread should flow smoothly and tightly from one stitch to another without puckers, looseness, or wobbles.
To achieve these perfect stitches the upper and lower threading must be just right. The drag or resistance of the upper tension system and the bobbin tension system must balance each other precisely.
Standing on top of your sewing machine is an imaginary little person. You might call them little people or gnome or leprechaun. He pulls on the thread from the top. Another little person is under the needle plate of your sewing machine. Each one is pulling on their thread. The one that pulls the strongest gets the most thread. If the fellow on top, pulls harder than the one below, you will see little puckers, wobbles, or balls of thread along the top of the fabric. If the little fellow on the bottom pulls harder, you will see bunches of tangled threads underneath the fabric. Only when they pull equally, do you see a proper stitch without excess threads.
When you see tension problems, do not panic. All you have to do is modify the resistance on the top and bottom until they equalize.
First, rethread the sewing machine. Take great care to make sure everything is right. Lift the presser foot before threading the tension assembly, and put it down once your reach the needle. Test the upper tension with a little tug before your thread the needle. Presser foot up should have little drag. Presser foot down should have significant drag.
Take your bobbin out. Is the thread wound evenly? It should be. Place it back in its carrier. Check the tension spring for any debris or lint that may have collected under it and clean it out. Slide the thread under the tension spring. Test it to make sure there is moderate resistance on the thread. This usually does not require adjustment unless you change the size of thread significantly. Some suggest that a professional sewing machine repair person make these adjustments when needed.
Finally, tighten the upper tension until it balances the lower tension providing stitches that meet in the middle of the fabric. Test and retest. Keep in mind the numbers on you upper tension do not really mean much. The key is to balance the resistance.
Sew a trial seam on scrap fabric. Sew a straight stich and then a medium zig zag. Examine the stitch quality. Continue making slight adjustments until your get a stitch that pleases you. Avoid sewing on finish fabric, until you have confidence that your stitch quality is what it should be. Avoid frustration.
You may notice irregularities on one side of a zig zag stitch and not on the other. Test and adjust until it looks the best you can make it. Some machines have design issues that make a perfect zig zag stitch almost impossible. If you want a perfect stitch and you have one of these older machine, consider getting a better machine.
Now that you understand how your sewing machine tensions work, you can use your sewing machine with renewed confidence. Make the adjustments you need when you need them. Always remember, a trip to the sewing machine shop can relieve stress when all else fails. - 16463
About the Author:
Exploresewing machine tensions and sewing macine repair from Author David Trumble's sewing macine repair courses. Download your free copy of his beginning course 7 Steps To Peak Performance For Your Sewing Machine.
