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The Sew What’s New Archive
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From: Melanie71
Date: 02-05-2006, 05:27 PM (1 of 6)
I am VERY new to this. I thought I had everything set up right (thread, bobbin etc), but the stitch only looks good underneath. The top of the material does not reflect the stitch Ive chosen (the stitch underneath is perfect). Ive played with tension etc but I wonder if I am doing something obvously wrong.....help ! 
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User: Melanie71
Member since: 02-05-2006 Total posts: 1 |
From: carman
Date: 02-05-2006, 06:37 PM (2 of 6)
have your re threaded and re threaded again  i do that when the tension is wacky and it seem to help. is the bobbin thread coming up? or the upper thread going down?by the way  welcome to SWN
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User: carman
Member since: 04-17-2000 Total posts: 692 
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From: carman
Date: 02-05-2006, 06:41 PM (3 of 6)
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http://www.sew-whats-new.com/sewing/threading.shtml check our SWN info as well |
User: carman
Member since: 04-17-2000 Total posts: 692
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From: Sparky
Date: 02-06-2006, 10:21 AM (4 of 6)
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http://www.sew-whats-new.com/sewing/threading.shtml check our SWN info as well I took a look at this site. Good information except for this: Removable bobbins are wound on the top or side of the machine. Your machine must be threaded before bobbin filling. I certainly can't fill the bobbin on MY machine with the machine threaded! My little-bit-older machine had a bobbin winder on the front, and the thread must be threaded through a completely different set of places before filling the bobbin. Trying to fill it with the machine threaded as if to sew would probably break something and would not work. This is off topic, though, and probably won't help Melanie any. Sparky
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User: Sparky
Member since: 03-13-2005 Total posts: 94 |
From: carman
Date: 02-06-2006, 10:51 AM (5 of 6)
hmmm i never noticed that before, i have never done that nor can i as well  did you try having to different colors, one the top and bottom and then you can see which thread is the issue, the bottom may not be tight enough to bring the top down. |
User: carman
Member since: 04-17-2000 Total posts: 692
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From: paroper
Date: 02-06-2006, 10:54 AM (6 of 6)
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As previously stated, be sure your top thread is properly threaded with the presser foot up to insure that your thread is in the tension guides. Chances are good that this is not your problem unless you just have your tension set WAY too tight on top. On MOST machines small numbers mean less tension while high numbers mean more. However, some machine have a 0 in the center and may have + or - or just numbers going both directions. Most machine have a mark or other indicator for mid tension. The top thread tension of your machine is either too tight or the bobbin tension is too loose. When you are SEWING, the top tensions and the bobbin tension should meet half way between the top and bottom of your fabric. That should make a little loop barely visible from the top looking down between the stitches. There are several types of ways that bobbins are inserted into the machines. For the machines that have removable cases that hold the bobbin, you'll usually find a little flat metal piece held by a screw. That flat metal piece controls the tension on the bobbin. Some machines will have additional places to put the bobbin thread in/near the case...for instance, of of my machine has a wire pig tail after the bobbin tension. Another of my machines had a little arm that can be threaded. Each time that the thread is put into that additional hook or pig tail, the bobbin tension is doubled. I do not always use that arm unless I need special tension. Refer to your manual to make sure that your thread is properly inserted into your case, going the correct direction, and under the tension spring. When you hold your bobbin in the case and dangle it by the bobbin thread, it should drop a matter of a few inches and stop. You should be able to lightly bounce your hand, and the bobbin should drop a few inches again. If it doesn't drop at all or seems difficult to scroll off the bobbin, the bobbin thread is too tight. If you can hold the thread and the bobbin falls a couple of feet or to the floor, it is too loose. Most people who service machines will break out in a cold sweat and faint dead away if you adjust your bobbin yourself. If you are having problems with the bobbbin thread, it is ALWAYS best to have a tech adjust it. It is just a matter of minutes to adjust. Many even have a special machine to help adjust it. However, it sometimes becomes necessary to bite the bullet and do it yourself. If you are SURE that the problem is in the tension spring, you may tighten the screw or loosen the screw yourself. Mark your beginning point with a Sharpie or a very small drop of nail polish as a reference point so that you know where to go back, if you do this wrong. Then turn the screw slightly one direction or another to see which helps your problem. 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 |
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