I have a problem with my sewing machines. I have 2 different brands, different ages, but the same problem with both so I'm sure it's me and not the machine.
Here's my problem. The tension keeps being so tight it breaks the thread. Also, the thread keeps getting all tangled up in the bobbin area. Can anybody tell me what I'm doing wrong?
Since I'm sure it's me and not the machine I refuse to buy a 3rd one. Plus I took both of them in last year for repair and the first time I went to use them I had the same problem. So, it's got to be me.
By Cricket from Parkton, NC
By kfogeltanz
03/13/2010
It definitely sounds like you have your machine threaded incorrectly. I do some sewing, and my parents own an upholstery business. This sounds like improper threading vs tension.
Can you use upholstery thread in the bobbin? I did and the underside of material is loopy. I tried adjusting the tension, but it didn't get any better. I have a Brother sewing machine, model XL-3022.
By Julie R.
By frugalsunnie
03/05/2012
Most domestic sewing machines are not designed to handle the heavier upholstery threads in either upper or lower parts of the machine. Check your manual and the manufacturer website to see if your machine can sew with the heavier threads, and on the heavier weight fabrics.
If your manual and manufacturer indicate your model should be able to handle the tough stuff, you may need to use a different needle (find the information on which needle size to use on which fabrics in the manual), and you may need to put less thread on the bobbin than you would if using a lighter weight thread.
You may also need to adjust not only the upper tension, but the tension on the bobbin case. That info will also be in the manual.
Another thing you might try is a thread designed for heavy duty work on a domestic machine. Look for the words 'heavy duty' that aren't combined with the additional word 'upholstery'. If you are lucky enough to have a sewing centre near by, ask one of the staff for advice.
Be sure to use thread that is the same content as your fabric-for example cotton thread on cotton fabric, polyester on synthetics. Using the wrong content can cause tension (pun intended:) problems, and can also cause the stitching to break if using cotton thread through synthetic fabrics. If using polyester on cotton fabrics, the thread can cut through the fabric leaving behind a rather neat scissored look to the tear.
I have a Babyloc Imagine serger that needs a bit of adjustment. The overlock is folding over the fabric and the tension is too tight. Does anyone know how to adjust the tension on this serger? I have tried everything and hate bringing it to a center; they charge so much.
By Rose from Malvern, PA
I have a Janome 423s. The bobbin thread runs along the bottom of the material. What is causing this? I have tried fixing it but with no luck.
By karen65ae from UAE
By phyllisbarton
09/22/2010
The top tension is too loose. It may not be working correctly. Also check to see if the machine is threaded correctly. Sometimes the thread is not properly seated in the groove between the two disks.
I have a Brother XL 3022 sewing machine. The tension on the bottom is loopy. Someone mentioned bobbin tension, but I don't know where on the machine it is.
By Lesley
By frugalsunnie
03/08/2013
First of all, download a free copy of your sewing machine manual here:
http://www.brother-usa.com/ModelDoc ... Users%20Manual/UM_XL_3010_EN_239.PDF
Now, look on page 2 to locate the tension adjustment knob on your machine-it's that wheel looking thing sticking out of the top of the machine a little-see it over there on the left of your machine near where the thread feeds down to the machine needle? That's your tension knob (the manual calls it a dial, the terms are pretty much interchangeable).
Next, look on page 19 of that manual for complete step-by-step directions for adjusting your sewing machine tension correctly including a diagram showing how to decide what is wrong and how to correct it.
Finally, based on what you are describing in your posted question, it sounds as though you are seeing loops of thread around the line of bottom thread stitching (better known as the bobbin thread, btw).
I notice that the Brother manual describes stitches as 'locks' which can be a little confusing but if you stare at those pictures and read the text several times you'll see that your problem is that your tension is too loose.
Note: The illustration for correct tension appearance is on page 20. It's a lot confusing because between the directions for increase/decrease and the illustration there is the bit about bobbin tension adjustment.
So you'll need to dial that tension knob to a higher number. Doing that will increase the tension on the threads as they pass through the tension discs inside the machine.
If the loops were showing on the top you would need to loosen (or 'decrease') the tension by dialing to a lower number.
Be sure you are using the right size needle, and run a test strip (or several) on the fabric you are trying to sew until you find the right tension for that fabric-needle-thread combination. Write that down on the pattern (if you are using one) so that you can restore those settings if you use my bonus tip below and therefore change the settings.
In addition to examining for loops and puckers, do the 'snap' test by holding the test strip in both hands and pulling the strip at both ends in a 'snap' motion. If the thread breaks it means your tension is too tight so you'll need to loosen (decrease) it.
Remember-to tighten (increase) you go up a number, to loosen (decrease) you go down a number:
Increase-up
Decrease-down
BONUS TIP-when sewing a zig-zag stitch, for example to finish a seam or when sewing knits on a machine without a specific knit stitch setting, LOOSEN THE TENSION one number down from whatever you are using for the straight stitching. Doing so means your seam finish won't pucker or break:)
OH! Never-ever-never try to adjust the tension anywhere but at the dial atop your machine. The bottom tension (better known as bobbin tension) is set at the factory and only in extremely rare situations does it require adjustment by removing the bobbin case and turning a screw - DO NOT attempt. It's just too easy to over-turn that tiny little screw and then too easy to forget to set it back to the original position for the next project. See the manual page 19 for more on bobbin tension.
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I need some help with my new small sewing machine my mum bought me for Christmas. I'm having trouble with the tension in the bottom bobbin. How can I get the right tension when there is no guide for the thread to even out on the bobbin when you start a new one, I just use my finger?
As when I was sewing, the bottom of the material had small loops and the bobbin thread was not taking up in sections. I've tightened the tension guide for the top one but that doesn't seem to help. Can anyone help me please as I don't want to give it up and lose interest? I hope this makes sense.
Thanks,
Lambchop from Western Australia
The thread in the bobbin makes loops on the bottom of the material. You do not want loops that stick up, that means you don't have enough tension. Nor do you want loops that pull too much, that means you have too much tension. You want loops that are firm and are flat on the material. If your bottom thread is breaking you might have too much tension in the bobbin. Release a little tension.
You might also be using cheap thread. I compared thread from the dollar store and from a sewing store. The sewing store thread was much thicker and stronger, and well worth the extra money (1.75 us for 1 spool). I could break the dollar store thread with my bare hands.
Likewise with the needle, it makes loops on top of the material. You want firm, but not puckering loops. (01/17/2007)
By bulrush
I hope you understand this, maybe there is someone out there that can explain this to you better than I can. I hope I've helped. (01/17/2007)
By msettamae2
By teachpad
By Marlene
Also, you just MIGHT have the bobbin in backwards. Try reversing it if you cannot find the manual or help otherwise. I've taken machines completely apart and replaced every single piece in cleaning and oiling, etc. but it's been over thirty years since I did it. The manual on a similar model might work, if all else fails. You might find one on the Internet. God bless you. : ) (01/20/2007)
By lyndagayle62
I received a serging sewing machine for Mother's Day and I finally took it out to use. The tension is all goofed up and the instruction book's tips are not helping. The stitches are all loopy like is was crocheted instead of serged. Has anyone else found a solution to adjusting tension on a serger?
Judy from Winfield, IL
Also there are other books on sergers, however your book that came with the machine should be all you need. Are you changing all the tensions or one at a time? The side that's loopy needs to be tightened. I hope this has helped some. Judy (09/12/2006)
By bjptl
By June
Loopy stitches mean it's too loose. But the stitches will be loopy by themselves (no fabric). Is your machine new? Have you checked the FAQ in the book? On the website of the make of machine? There are lots of things you can try, but I understand your frustration. (09/13/2006)
By Cathy
By Nicki
How do I go about adjusting bobbin tension on a Singer sewing machine?
By Lee542 from Easton, PA
I found a website to help explain it better than I can. Just remember that once you start messing with the bobbin tension it's possible to get things really messed up. If you do change the bobbin tension I would make a mark where it currently is on the racer (bobbin case) so it can be set back to where it was.
You don't mention what problem you are having, that can be important, as well. If the fabric isn't passing through smoothly it may have nothing at all to do with the tension. There is a "feed dog tensioner" on all machines that allows you to adjust the the amount of space between the feed dog and the plate and if that is too tight it can keep the fabric from passing through smoothly.
Here is a website I found that can explain the tension to you.
essortment.com (10/06/2009)
By wolfbytez
After many tries I cannot adjust the tension dials on my serger (new). On the underside, the loops are too big, any help?
By Deb2009 from Flowood, MS
You can practice this by re-threading your machine with a different color thread for each looper to make it easy to see where you need to increase or decrease the tension until you get the hang of it. (10/30/2009)
By kimsukie
By @homew/2
I discovered this only by going to other sources to understand how a serger works. I spent hours. Once I discovered this, I crossed out the colors listed in the manual and changed them to the correct ones, and now the directions work perfectly. By the way, at the beginning of the manual, the colors were correct, it was only on the pages that described how to make certain stitches and in the troubleshooting pages where they were transposed. (11/07/2009)
By itsbarbara
Check out this video hope it helps.
http://www.sewingmachineryrepair.com/forums/index.php?topic=8.0 (01/06/2010)
By tizank
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Adjusting the Tension on a Serger Sewing Machine