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The Sew What’s New Archive
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From: bridesmom
Date: 12-23-2006, 10:13 PM (1 of 10)
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like my embroidery machine. It was working just fine when I was doing all the test samples for my girlfriends husbands jacket, then when I started embroidering on it - the blankety blank tension went haywire (this was on a denim mechanics coat). The bobbin thread is all showing on the top. So I cleaned the machine, checked the settings, changed the needle, took out the bobbin and the case, cleaned it all, put it back together threaded and rethreaded, put in a new bobbin, and its worse. Even with the tension at it's highest point, I still have bobbin thread showing on top. At the regular spot (4) you can barely see the embroidery thread, just bobbin thread. Can anyone suggest anything else to try besides throwing it onto the floor and shooting it with a shotgun! I just got it serviced a few months ago too.
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 12-23-2006, 10:30 PM (2 of 10)
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First off you need to tell us what machine you have, it's easier if we know.. But here goes.. Denim needle ??? Hooped TIGHT ??? You might not need stabilizer or use a light iron-on mesh. (depends on how stiff the fabric is...) Put the same thread in the bobbin as you use on top ??? (keeps the top thread from pulling the lighter bobbin thread to the top.) Got the NEEDLE in all the way ??? Got the bobbin threaded correctly ??? Got the hoop stable ??? (no bouncing up and down...) Got the thread in the take up ??? (all thread paths CLEAR ??? especially the tension discs) Got the needle arm tension correct (some machine's have a dial on the top to change it). Checked the foot for burr's ??? If I haven't covered enough, someone will be along sooner or later for more help.. Kath Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 12-23-2006, 10:32 PM (3 of 10)
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An old Bernina Deco 500 which i think is going to be sold for scrap!! Now I'll go back and finish reading your post kath!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: bridesmom
Date: 12-23-2006, 10:38 PM (4 of 10)
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forgot to mention that I've now tried it on different fabric, a quilting cotton double stabilized, and its worse than on the denim. I'm sure the needle is in ok, the hoop is right. The bobbin thread is 'bobbin' thread, and I was using Sulky 30 or 40 on top. Bobbin is in ok, going the right direction, don't think there are burrs and I don't think I have a needle arm tension, since I'm not even sure what that is. There is a tension dial on the top, similar to what a sewing machine's is like, and no matter where I dial in the tension, it doesn't like it. I will recheck for thread in the tension dial, that sounds like it could be part of the problem. I did find a long thread wound around underneath the bobbin case, pulled out most of it, but I'd have to completely unscrew the case out of the machine to see if there was still anything under it. Thanks Kath, I knew you'd be there for me!!!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
From: paroper
Date: 12-23-2006, 11:09 PM (5 of 10)
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I always use stabilizer and the reason is because I can't think of a fabric that doesn't have a stretch on the bias and that is what stabilizer takes care of...keeps the fabric from stretching...anywhere. (Leather probably doens't have a bias by the way). Ok you are tightening the TOP tension. That is making the top tension tighter and pulling the bobbin tension up to the top MORE...go the other direction and it should change some of that. Make sure that your bobbin tension is properly seated under the tension spring in the bobbin case (I think these machines have bobbin cases). If you are by-passing the bobbin tension you have no tension on the bobbin thread which would cause it to pull upward. It is unusual for this to happen suddenly. Over time the bobbin tension on most machines will change. However, check your spring to the bobbin case (that is the flat part where the adjustment screw is located). Sometimes a piece of thread can get caught under that and hold it open so that the tension on the bobbin does not work. A good wax free dental floss can usually clean that spring area (don't tell Tom but I've sometimes run a long thin pin or needle under there to clean it out...can't be a good thing.) Make sure that your bobbin is spooling in the correct direction. Also, make sure that your bobbin thread has not somehow come out of the spring area. I've had a few cases where that has happened, but I don't know exactly why it happened. Anytime you have a problem with tension or thread ALWAYS start by taking a deep breath and rethreading everything. Just because the top thread broke doesn't mean there wasn't something going on above the break. Just because there are thread nests doesn't mean that the problem is necessarily in the bobbin. Always clean, unthread, remove the bobbin and start over. Be sure that you raise your presser foot to get the thread in the tension disks and get everything seated correctly. 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: Tom Land
Date: 12-23-2006, 11:34 PM (6 of 10)
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Laura you are working your tensions backwards. If the bobbin thread is showing you have too little bobbin tension or too much upper tension. What you describe sounds like your bobbin thread is not in the bobbincase tension but if you've done all you said you have it boils down to just a couple of things. Pull on the thread coming out of the bobbin. Is it loose? If so run a tiny screw driver or similar tool down the slot of the bobbincase where the thread slides in to make sure there isn't some lint holding that tension open. The side of the bobbincase has a colored screw (orange on that model I think) DON'T TURN IT. If you get some lint out see if the bobbin thread is tighter. Set the upper tension back on "4" and try again. If the bobbin thread feels tight enough already then something may be interfering with your upper tension. With the presser foot raised pull on the thread coming out of the needle. It should pull freely. If not look to see where the thread is hanging. Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: Tom Land
Date: 12-23-2006, 11:41 PM (7 of 10)
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I see Pam answered the same time I did and beat me. It's not fair Pam. I have asthma so I can't type very fast. You should type with one hand to make it a fair race.
Have fun or don't do it, Tom
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User: Tom Land
Member since: 09-21-2005 Total posts: 514 |
From: paroper
Date: 12-24-2006, 03:42 AM (8 of 10)
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I have asthma and arthritis, Tom...tag, you're it!
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: Miss Spring
Date: 12-24-2006, 09:41 PM (9 of 10)
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Hey Thanks Guys! My machine is doing the same thing. I was making my girls purses for their gameboys for christmas and I wanted to embroider their monograms on the front but I just cant seem to get my tentions right. It also ended up tearing a hole it the fabric on one of them. I ended up covering the hole with a iron on store bought applique...(shhhh dont tell anyone) I'll try this before I set it behind my SUV and run the ^$##^& thing over! Spring |
User: Miss Spring
Member since: 05-03-2006 Total posts: 87 |
From: skybluepinko2
Date: 01-14-2007, 03:48 PM (10 of 10)
| I had to tighten my bobbin tension with my machine when it started doing this. It's worked wonders, I have to say. Just tighten it 1/4 of a turn at a time and use a sharpie to mark the original position, just in case. |
User: skybluepinko2
Member since: 04-05-2005 Total posts: 16 |
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