| g to control and balance tensions is a very important | | | | sure there is no debris inside the bobbin case and it is |
| skill to learn for any sewer. Not only will your sewing | | | | threaded properly. |
| machine have a perfect stitch, but you will be able to | | | | = You can loosen the bobbin case tension screw |
| adjust your tensions perfectly for different types of | | | | (counter-clockwise) until the thread pulls fairly easily |
| fabrics. | | | | and smoothly out of the case. ONLY TURN THE |
| I have been around sewing machines most of my life, | | | | TENSION SCREW 1/8 at a time. If you can’t |
| but the last 5 years or so I have been actively | | | | resolve the bottom tension, I would recommend going |
| repairing sewing machines and I balance tensions on a | | | | to a technician. |
| daily basis. I still get stumped from time to time. It takes | | | | STEP TWO: |
| a lot of practice, but eventually you will be able to do it | | | | Insert the test fabric under the presser foot. I |
| fairly quickly and easily. | | | | recommend using a medium dark fabric folded in half. |
| Before we begin, I recommend that you should be | | | | The finished folded fabric should measure around 53W |
| familiar with your sewing machine and know how to | | | | x 123L. The longer the fabric the more room to test |
| sew and can identify the bobbin, bobbin case, presser | | | | the stitch quality. Sew one length of the fabric. |
| foot lever, presser foot, needle plate, stitch length | | | | Now we are going to inspect the stitch quality. If you |
| dial(button), stitch width dial(button), upper tension | | | | notice the stitches are skipping, then you have more |
| assembly and the bobbin case tension screw. You will | | | | than a tension issue. Most likely the timing of the |
| also need a very tiny screw driver to adjust the bobbin | | | | machine is off and you should take it to a repair shop. |
| case when necessary. | | | | If you look at the top of the fabric do you notice if the |
| Here is a list of steps to take before we start to | | | | stitch is pulling or if the knot is showing? If this is the |
| balance the tension: | | | | case then most likely your bottom tension is too loose. |
| Use a light colored thread. The same thread should be | | | | Tighten the bobbin case tension screw in 1/8 increment |
| used on top and for the bobbin. A high quality | | | | clockwise. After each turn, sew a half length of the |
| mercerized thread is best like Coats & Clark all | | | | test fabric. Stop tightening the tension once the knot |
| purpose thread. | | | | moves to the bottom of the fabric or until you |
| Insert a new needle. I recommend size 14. Keep needle | | | | can’t see the knot at all. |
| bar in UP position | | | | If you can’t see the knot at all the tensions are |
| Thread the machine and the bobbin case. | | | | balanced!!!!! |
| Bring the bobbin thread up through the needle plate as | | | | If the knot moved to the bottom of the fabric, go to |
| if you are getting ready to sew. | | | | the next bullet point. |
| Set sewing machine to the widest zig-zag and the | | | | If you look at the bottom of the fabric do you notice if |
| longest stitch width your machine will allow.If you only | | | | the stitch is pulling or the knot is showing? If this is the |
| have a straight stitch machine set to the longest stitch | | | | case then most likely your top tension is too loose. |
| (basting stitch) | | | | Tighten the top tension assembly clockwise in small |
| Your upper tension should be between a 3 or 5 or on | | | | increments. After each increment, sew a half length of |
| the newer sewing machines should be set to | | | | the test fabric. Stop tightening the tension once the |
| auto in the middle of the auto range. I am also | | | | knot moves to the top of the fabric or until you |
| assuming your top tension assembly is working | | | | can’t see the knot at all. |
| properly as well as your bobbin case is in working | | | | If you can’t see the knot at all the tensions are |
| condition. | | | | balanced!!!!! |
| STEP ONE: | | | | If the knot moved to the top of the fabric, go to the |
| The first thing to do is to feel the bottom thread | | | | first bullet |
| tension. For most machines the bottom thread should | | | | In this process if you find yourself tightening or |
| pull out of the bobbin fairly easily AND smoothly from | | | | loosening the tensions way too much in any one |
| the needle plate hole. It takes some experience to | | | | direction then most likely the tension assembly is out of |
| know what the right tension should feel like. Unless it | | | | whack. Also, if the knot shows on both the top and |
| takes a lot of effort to pull the thread out, I would just | | | | bottom simultaneously on the fabric you most likely |
| leave that part alone for now. If the thread tension | | | | have other issues with the machine that are beyond |
| seems fine skip the bullets below and go on to step | | | | the scope of this post. I recommend at this point going |
| two. | | | | to a professional repair shop. |
| = If the bottom thread is very tight. Check to make | | | | I hope you found this helpful. |