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From: Bifferina
Date: 02-12-2005, 05:36 PM (1 of 28)
Hi!  I am new to this board.I have just tried twin needle sewing for the first time. The top looks correct. It's the underside that has the problem. It's as if the tension on the bobbin is too strong and is pulling the upper thread in towards the center, the bobbin thread has a narrow zig-zag. I tried increasing the tension on the upper thread (all the way in fact) & it helped a tiny bit. Do I need to loosen the tension on the bobbin? If so, how? Or is the tension in the upper thread too loose? Like I said, I did try increasing the tension, but to little effect. Am I doing something wrong, perhaps in threading? 
~beth
Janome DC3050 Janome MyLock 744D |
User: Bifferina
Member since: 02-12-2005 Total posts: 2 |
From: Sewhappie
Date: 02-12-2005, 09:34 PM (2 of 28)
|
You should have a even zig zag on the bottom of garment, try loosening the bobbin 1/4 turn, counter clock-wise. Set your needle tension a few notches looser than what is normal on your machine. If it is still pulling the needle thread under, loosen the bobbin just a bit more, NOT MORE THAN ANOTHER 1/4 turn. Make yourself a note that you did this, so you remember to put it back when you are done. Also check that your thread is in the guides correctly. |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: Bifferina
Date: 02-12-2005, 10:35 PM (3 of 28)
|
Where do I adjust the tension on a top loading machine? THANKS!
~beth
Janome DC3050 Janome MyLock 744D |
User: Bifferina
Member since: 02-12-2005 Total posts: 2 |
From: BeckyW
Date: 02-17-2005, 09:49 AM (4 of 28)
|
Unless you are getting tunneling, I don't think the top threads being pulled to the bottom is a problem. I would be wary of messing around with my bobbin tension. That is just me though. I am a scardy cat. I just bought a new Janome machine and took a machine mastery class at my dealer. She suggested hand-winding wooly nylon thread on the bobbin for topstitching with a double needle. |
User: BeckyW
Member since: 12-25-2004 Total posts: 24 |
From: marl
Date: 02-17-2005, 10:21 AM (5 of 28)
| The zigzag stitch on the back of your work should lie flat. Changing the tension setting on your bobbin is risky business. Instead, try loosening your top tension by two or three numbers. The tension setting on the DC 3050 is located on the front of your machine just to the right of the Janome name. It has a green rectangle on it that indicates the automatic tension setting that is satisfactory most of the time. Since you are having problems, try turning the dial back towards the lower numbers which will loosen your top thread tension. This will allow the lower thread more space to form a nice zigzag. |
User: marl
Member since: 12-03-2004 Total posts: 16 |
From: Sewhappie
Date: 02-17-2005, 04:26 PM (6 of 28)
| M a op loading bobbin where you pull the thread into the guide, there should be a very small screw there. This is the screw that you turn, mind you that just the slightess turn will be 1/4" so don't turn is fast. If you look that the slits on the screw head and it looks like they are sitting at 2 o'clock, then turn it just enough that is goes to 12 o'clock. |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: paroper
Date: 02-17-2005, 11:40 PM (7 of 28)
|
I agree 100 per cent with those that say NOT to change your bobbin tension. I've been sewing for 40 years and I've probably changed the bobbin tension less than half a dozen times. There is a formula for what your bobbin should do when it is properly adjusted, but to get it back to exactly the right adjustment really takes a special gizmo. The top tension on the other hand is not that difficult to adjust and I make my adjustments there. Your bobbin tension rarely needs to be adjusted if you don't mess with it. If you feel that you absolutely MUST mess with it, the best thing that you can do is buy a second bobbin case and properly adjust it...then mark one of them so that you don't mess with the good case.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 02-18-2005, 12:25 PM (8 of 28)
|
I just re-read her post.. Do you ladies think it is possible that she did not know that the bobbin thread is SUPPOSED to zig zag.. ?? Read it again and see what you think.. The first time I read it, that is what I thought and let all your answers talk me out of the idea, but it keeps coming back.. I just had to mention it..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022 
|
From: DorothyL
Date: 02-18-2005, 02:03 PM (9 of 28)
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I thought the same thing Libby. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Ria
Date: 02-18-2005, 02:09 PM (10 of 28)
|
Hi I found this on another site. I thought it would be helpful and I do hope it is ok for me to post it here. Ria <email address removed for privacy> (Feb 16, 2003 9:04:03 PM) When sewing with a twin needle, before theading the machine, rotate the handwheel towards you a few times to make sure neither one of the needles is hitting on the needle plate. There are different sizes of double needles On a straight stitch it is pretty straight forward but on a zig zag stich, where it goes from left to right, you want to make sure the needle is not hitting On bobbin tension, the stitch just needs to look Good ON the TOP <email address removed for privacy> (Feb 16, 2003 9:05:25 PM) The bottom side will look crazy and that is normal It should be tight, but the bottom will look strange. MaryT (Feb 16, 2003 9:06:43 PM) I thought the tunneling I was getting was cause of the bobbin tension on twin needle sewing. <email address removed for privacy> (Feb 16, 2003 9:06:43 PM) Tunneling is generally caused be the needle going from right to left over a large area, you can also lower your bobbin tension to try and help On zig zags on older machines, the machines only sewed 4 mm wide On new machines which go up to 7mm wide, you are pulling the fabric in towards the middle more sometimes you have to reduce the width of the stich or play with the tension.... But a wider stitch can tunnel on light material some people will use stabilizer they tear off after being done That is why you want the tech or the person selling the machine to SHOW you how to change tension top to bottom so you can be Familiar with how it works But the 7mm wide stitch is sometimes just going to tunnel Ria
"Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them" (Oliver Wendell Holmes) Brother 6500.....Brother 8060......PED Basic... Embird...... |
User: Ria
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 121 |
From: shirleyp
Date: 02-19-2005, 12:01 AM (11 of 28)
|
I have been meaning to ask about twin needles and am so glad the topic has come up, only because I keep forgetting to ask about them Those who have twin needles, do you use them alot. I was thinking it might be handy for doing stained glass. I have never used them and was going to order some for my machine. Would love to have your input.
|
User: shirleyp
Member since: 02-12-2002 Total posts: 352 
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From: paroper
Date: 02-19-2005, 08:44 AM (12 of 28)
|
Since I do a lot of garment sewing, my use of twin needles is limited to when the garments have a lot of twin top stitching. (When leisure suits were in I was doing alot ...tee hee). They are wonderful for places where you need two rows of stitching because "all the mistakes match". There are decorative uses for them too..and there is even a twin needle where one needle is a wing needle. The most important thing about using them is that they come in widths so you don't want to exceed the width of your presser plate or zig zag foot or you can shatter your expensive needles and damage those parts.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: Ria
Date: 02-19-2005, 10:00 AM (13 of 28)
|
Shirley, I use mine for the decorative stitches. I use them on tea towels or pilliow cases etc. When I use a decorative stitich I use two complimentary colors, one in each needle and then I end up with a double row of embroidery. Or I use the same color in both. It really makes for a pretty border. Other than that I just use it on seams when I want reinforcing. But of course the overcast does that too. What I do is before I stitch I turn my wheel towards me very slowly to be sure the needle does not hit anything in the plate. When I know for sure it won't hit and that it is clear then I stitch slow and when I am certain it is all ok I turn up the speed. You should use the twin needle it is a really nice feature. Ria 
Ria
"Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them" (Oliver Wendell Holmes) Brother 6500.....Brother 8060......PED Basic... Embird...... |
User: Ria
Member since: 02-13-2005 Total posts: 121 |
From: gmcsewer
Date: 02-22-2005, 09:07 AM (14 of 28)
I use this method to hem all my knit garments. The weight of the material determines the width of the needles to use. They come in different mm width between the two needles. I serge the edge so it is finished and does not have a lot of bulk when you turn up the hem. I have used just 2 regular needles secured in the needle shaft, before the twin needles were available. I use tissue paper or even computer waste paper to sew over and thus prevent the tunneling effect. If you want to do a pin tuck type design on cotton, the 2 mm needle makes a nice raised area. 
|
User: gmcsewer
Member since: 08-19-2003 Total posts: 45 |
From: paroper
Date: 02-22-2005, 10:03 AM (15 of 28)
|
Before stabilizer we used paper for support under all kinds of decorative stitches.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: colojd
Date: 03-06-2005, 02:22 PM (16 of 28)
|
Check to see if your machine also requires that you push a button or do a setting for twin needles. My Pfaff has a twin needle button. So I can put in a twin needle and try to sew and it will just not work right until I tell it to do this functions. Sometimes doing the setting is overlooked and you will have a hard time using the twin needle. So in other words, check your manual to see if in addition to putting in the twin needle and adjusting any tension settings, if your machine also requires that you push a button or log in a setting so that it know it is using a twin needle. |
User: colojd
Member since: 05-03-2002 Total posts: 83 |
From: bunzino
Date: 03-07-2005, 08:36 AM (17 of 28)
|
I use them to hem all my knits, which is most of what I sew!! nancy |
User: bunzino
Member since: 08-16-2002 Total posts: 119 |
From: MaryW
Date: 03-07-2005, 01:15 PM (18 of 28)
I used my twin needle today to hem a knit top. I forgot what I was doing and stitched from the inside of the top, not the outside. It looked very nice on the wrong side. 
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
|
From: sewingrandma
Date: 03-07-2005, 06:12 PM (19 of 28)
|
I've done that too Mary. I've also purposely used the twin needle on the wrong side around the neckline of a T and on the sleeve seams at the shoulders. Makes a very easy and decorative stitch.
Brockie
|
User: sewingrandma
Member since: 03-06-2003 Total posts: 432 |
From: woodywoodpecker
Date: 03-08-2005, 12:06 AM (20 of 28)
|
I'm going to jump in here and say if you are even entertaining the thought about messing around with the screw on you bobbin holder you might want to buy new bobbin holder as I understand they are very picky about the setting of the screw. They are not very expensive and likely would be a lot cheaper than replacing your hair after you pulled it out trying to get it set right again. I got one when I was going to run heavier thread thru the bobbin but have not done it yet but I think the new bobbin holder was about 1.25$ for my machine.Check it out! |
User: woodywoodpecker
Member since: 11-07-2003 Total posts: 242 |
From: paroper
Date: 03-08-2005, 12:16 AM (21 of 28)
|
Good job, Woody! A lot of people play around with those screws like it was nothing, but they are very hard to get back right once they have been "adjusted". My dealer adjusts his with a special gizmo to make sure that it is absolutely correct, that is not something you can just readily do at home, eventhough there are some pretty clear rules of thumb about how it is done. Once that screw has been messed, it is not very likely that it will ever be at the intended factory setting again. In the 40 years I have sewn, I don't think that I have adjusted a screw on one more than 7 times. If I did it was because it was not grabbing the thread at all. It is much better to leave the one in the machine alone and buy a spare to adjust for special threads. Be sure that you mark the bobbin with something...nailpolish or whatever so that you can identify the one you adjust.
pam
Bernina 200e, Artista V5 Designer Plus, Explorations, Magic Box, Bernina 2000DE & 335 Bernette Serger, Bernina 1530 Sewing Machine, Bernina 1300 DC Overlock (with coverstitch) |
User: paroper
Member since: 02-03-2004 Total posts: 3775 |
From: colojd
Date: 03-08-2005, 08:17 AM (22 of 28)
|
You are right about the screw adjustment. I was not suggesting that people begin to play and experiment around with their bobbin case settings. I was just making this comment to check it because sometimes they either work themselves looser or someone has made an adjustment that just does not work the next time. Bobbin casings should be able to withstand some adjustments but if you have to constantly work to get it right and it seems to be the bobbin case that is a problem, probably is a good idea to purchase a new one. Joyce |
User: colojd
Member since: 05-03-2002 Total posts: 83 |
From: banglemail
Date: 07-16-2006, 06:11 PM (23 of 28)
| I have a Kenmore sewing machine and the manual says to "push the twin needle button" to sew with twin needles but there is no button. Nowhere else in the manual does it mention or show any type of button. I went to Sears and the salesperson couldn't find any button either. I would assume it's a typo except my twin needle sewing looks crummy. First, it tunneled (sewing on knits) and so I used everything from paper to a spray stabilizer to help. It helped a little but they're still kind of bunched up looking and my thread keeps breaking. I've tried every range of tension I have and it hasn't helped. Any suggestions???? Thanks. Rebecca. |
User: banglemail
Member since: 07-12-2006 Total posts: 3 |
From: bunzino
Date: 07-16-2006, 06:30 PM (24 of 28)
|
Hi Rebecca, First, my Kenmore is 35 yrs old! But I usually use my Viking Lily which is newer, and can do twin needles on both. Try using that stabilizer that washes out (oh, my brain is meltling in this heat) -- Sulky Solvy -- got it! Also, fiddle w your upper tension and see what happens when you go higher or lower. You ARE doing a tiny zizag - right? Necessary for stretch. You ARE using wooly nylon hand wound on the bobbin - right? You'll get it. Try some of these ideas. HTH, nancy |
User: bunzino
Member since: 08-16-2002 Total posts: 119 |
From: LeapFrog Libby
Date: 07-17-2006, 05:57 PM (25 of 28)
|
Are you using a twin needle made for knits ?? You know that makes the most difference of all.. ?? I keep both, and keep them in the original pkg except when in the machine being used..
Sew With Love
Libby |
User: LeapFrog Libby
Member since: 05-01-2002 Total posts: 2022
|
From: wghmch
Date: 07-17-2006, 06:16 PM (26 of 28)
|
Two points: 1) It should be expected that the back side does not look very good with a twin needle, or in the case of older Singers, two needles at once. Normal adjustments are set so that the tension on the BC pulls just enough to match the upper tension and set the stitch at the needle hole. When the bobbin thread has to interlock with two different top threads, it is going to produce a somewhat irregular ZZ effect to accomplish this. 2) If you are in fear of adjusting the bobbin tension, you're probably better off not doing it. If you understand it well enough to do it, look at the slot in the screw like the hands of a clock. If the slot is pointing at 2 & 8 o'clock, try turning it to 3 & 9, and so forth. Unless you go more than a half turn, which would be highly unlikely and foolish, you should always be able to go back to the original setting. Bill Holman |
User: wghmch
Member since: 03-04-2003 Total posts: 249 |
From: banglemail
Date: 07-23-2006, 05:04 PM (27 of 28)
|
Hi everyone, Thanks so much for all of the suggestions. 1. Tried Silky solvy and it still didn't work. 2. No, I haven't been using a tiny zig zag because my manual said I could do a straight stitch---would this make a difference? 3. nylon wooly thread hand wound????? What? 4. I have no idea if I am using a twin needle meant for knits---I just went to Sears and purchased the only one they sold for my machine. Help again. Thanks. Rebecca. |
User: banglemail
Member since: 07-12-2006 Total posts: 3 |
From: gmcsewer
Date: 07-24-2006, 09:28 AM (28 of 28)
| I used the twin needle for knits( It has a ball point end on the needles so they penetrate the knits better). I always zigzagged the cut edge before turning it up. Now I serge the edge before turning it up and that is really a better looking finish. If it is tunneling, loosing the top tension should fix that. If it doesn't maybe something is wrong with your tension. I had a friend with a 4 thread serger that would not work and by isolation, we found out the one tension was not gripping at all. She took it apart and put it back together and it worked. Sometimes, lint gets in the tension plates. Pulling a thread backwards thru the tension sometimes will clean it out. Some twin needles are 2 mm , 3 mm and 4 mm. The 2 mm would be better if you are having tensioni problems as it doesn't have to spread so much to connect with the bobbini thread. Hope you can get this working because it really does give a nice finish to knits. Can also used to make fake tucks on blouse fronts or even with fleece to make designs by just stitching around a flower or other design. |
User: gmcsewer
Member since: 08-19-2003 Total posts: 45 |
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