Sewing machine about to go out the window - tension problems.

[DonkeyTeapot]

Hi all, am hoping someone can help me before I throw this thing out on the road!

Basically, I can't get the tension right on my sewing machine. When I have the top and bottom tensions adjusted so that neither is too loose / tight, my fabric puckers. I've been tweaking the tension and sewing seams for hours now, I've wasted yards and yards of thread and don't have much baby-free time left before MIL brings DD home. I have been testing on scrap fabric, which is the same as the garment I'm making, but even when it looks ok on the test, it still puckers the garment. I've re-ironed it a few times, just to check it wasn't that. If I have to undo this seam many more times I will just wreck the fabric and have to cut out a new piece. Can anyone save my sanity please? What am I doing wrong?

For info, it is a Silver sewing machine, quite cheap and not a brand I had heard of but apparently they have been going 30+ years so thought it should be reasonably reliable.

Mine does the same despite having a 40 pound service not that long ago. I also feel like chucking it out of the window. The bottom thread all collected in huge loose bunches underneath the fabric meaning that nothing is sewed and it's a huge mess to unpick. Makes me so angry! Hoping that someone will have an idea...

Mmmm. First thing is to check that you have got the needle in the right way round. Putting it in the wrong way is easy to do (amhik) and does tend to affect the tension. While you are at it try a new needle (I think we're all guilty of not changing them enough).

You say you are using the same fabric as the garment, but are you using the same amount of layers? Is it the same thread?

Then just change one part of the tension at a time - so I would leave the bottom tension and just change the top one. If that doesn't work then set the top tension to the mid way point and try changing the bottom one, increment by increment. If no good change the top by one number and then try that with different bottoms tensions. It might take a while to get it right I'm afraid.

Mine does that too, it'll be stitching along fine and then there's a clunk and the bottom stitches are suddenly looping threads everywhere. Not in huge bundles, but every third or fourth stitch will have about a 4mm loop. It also comes unthreaded nearly every time I start sewing, which drives me CRAZY. I am really starting to wish I had just saved up for longer and got a brand I know.

Thanks Starfish, that is pretty much what I've been doing. The instructions say that if I hold the bobbon casing by the thread and give it a shake, it should drop about an inch or two if the tension is right. Mine didn't drop at all, so I thought both tensions must be too tight. Have loosened the bottom tension so that it does drop a little bit, but then can't seem to get the top tension to match it. AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHH!

I had similar problems a while ago... there is a little screw in the bobbin case, try loosening and tightening it... it worked for me. It is the one place you do not think of looking, do this when you are on straight stitch and see how you go.

This is why I gave up sewing. Deeply frustrating and annoying. You have my sympathies, OP

\I had similar problems with 2 machines ( both old and therefore fairly simple mechanically). After trying to adjust the tension, length of stitch etc and nothing working, I googled. There's ( on some machines) a tiny screw either on or near the bobbin ( I think actually on the bobbin housing on my Brother machine). That can be loosened or tightened, and makes all the difference.
It might be worth a try.

Thanks guys, I have been adjusting the screw on the bobbin housing, as far as I know that is the only way of adjusting the lower tension. When I loosen it, the upper and lower thread are out of balance - no matter how much I loosen the upper tension to match. When the two are in balance, the fabric puckers.

I'm not about to give up sewing over it, it's a new machine, less than a year old, and the problem seems to be more noticable when I'm using quite thin fabric. I didn't notice it when I was using thicker stuff.

Of course, now I've been fiddling with the tension, when I go back to thicker fabric I'll have to do it all again...

I ve had loads of these issues in the past, and its so frustrating when you dont understand why it s doing it, and how to correct it.

However! Just got myself a new machine, Janome, and it has automatic tension adjustment, you just make sure its on automatic, then the machine just deals with whatever fabric you throw at it. Its been perfect!

So I know this is no use to anyone right now, but if anyone is looking to buy a new machine.....................

Dorothy That just serves to confirm that I should indeed have waited and saved up for a Janome! :)

My issues were all with cheaper and very basic machines. I started quilting, and it was just very frustrating, the tension would apparently be wrong, I thought I adjusted it correctly, but five minutes later, I would have to stop again, and shout at the machine for being stupid! Material would pucker, thread would loop and knot behind, and thread constantly snapping or needles breaking. Now I just thread up and...........sew! I ve had the machine since February, not one tantrum has it had, never had thread snap, no needles breaking, and I ve been very demanding and asked it to sew through thick layers of quilting materials, and have also sewed superfine material too, all with perfect results - wish I d bought one years ago!

That pretty much describes my sewing experience. Lesson learned.

Not sure if this is relevant - but always check the tension with the foot down. I know sometimes people have the 'foot up' when gently pulling the treads through to what feels like the correct tension...... then put the foot down to sew. Once the foot goes down the upper tension 'engages' and tightens up.

Thanks Cate, I must admit I do always adjust with the foot up - but it doesn't involve pulling the threads, so I'm not really sure what you mean. I turn the dial for upper tension, and turn the screw on the bobbin housing for lower tension. How do you do it?

check everything.
this means - is the weight of the presser foot correct?
usually, you don't need to worry about the lower tension.
have you got the correct bobbin? the one supplied with the machine? you cannot use a metal bobbin in place of a plastic bobbin etc etc.
check the needle isn't bent.
check it's the right needle for the fabric (usually a sharp is better than a ballpoint, and the thicker fabrics need a thicker needle.
check the needle is in the right place.
check there are no loose screws.
check that the thread is threaded correctly along the top stuff- even a thread that's looped twice around a post will kill the tension.

the fact that you're getting fine and then a bump sounds like the bobbin is wrong.
check it's the right type, then take all the thread off it and completely rewind it.

the lower bobbin probably doesn't need to be as tight as you imagine.

I find my sewing machine (a 45 year old Singer!) plays up with the tension if I use one of those very large Gutermann reels of thread rather than the standard sort.

If you are sewing finer fabric, then a needle recommended for finer fabrics is best. Some books recommend placing tissue paper under the fabric if it is very fine eg silk. The tissue paper prevents puckering and steadies it as you feed it through. You then rip it off after sewing.

Make sure the tension is correct on your foot too, perhaps a walking foot may help?

Make sure you are using the correct thread - polyester for man-made fabrics and cotton for cotton.

Also try the web as I find the internet is great for tips, hints etc

Hope this helps!

My bobbin holder has a tensioning bar you have to hook the thread through.
If the thread comes out I get loops all over the back.

If the screw on the bobbin bar is too tight or the thread jams in it I get the thread snapping.

If I use anything other than Gutterman polycotton thread, regardless of fabric, it's liable to throw a tantrum.

Sorry DT I didn't expalin that well.
I mean put the foot down - adjust the tension as your maching allows- then try gently pulling the thread/s (top/bottom/both together etc) through the fully threaded machine until you get the correct tension.

Thanks everyone.

Nickel Very helpful, thank you!

The pressure of the foot is worth checking.

Lower tension is definitely too tight, I checked it according to the instruction book but when I loosen it I can't make the upper tension match it. Maybe I need to try smaller increments (on lower).

Needle could have been too thick, it was thin fabric. It is a new needle though, not bent, and is in the right way round. Will see about getting some finer ones.

The thing is not the problem I have been having with this particular project, but it is does happen sometimes. Normally the fabric I use would be thicker than this, so I don't know if it's all pat of the same problem or something else.

I've been using Coats thread, I do have some Gutterman though, I could check that.

So far, I think the most likely culprit is the needle being too thick, or the foot pressure, although I will be sure to use only plastic bobbins for a while and see if that helps. I haven't noticed problems only occurring when I use metal ones, but it's worth looking out for.

I would like to try quilting so am thinking of buying a walking foot anyway, might be worth a go.

Thanks everyone for all the suggestions. I haven't been near the machine since I started the thread, just haven't had time, but I will get hold of new bobbins (only have a couple of plastic ones) and needles ready for next time. Fingers crossed.

fingers crossed you find the problem! :)

I think you're right that it's too tight - if it puckers then the thread is coming out shorter than the fabric iyswim so that means both top and bottom are too tight.

It sounds as if the problem is the bobbin is always too tight and that you're then adjusting the top thread to match the bottom iyswim. Have you very thoroughly cleaned the bobbin casing? Is there any possibility there is eg fluff stuck in the bit the thread passes through, meaning whatever you do with the little screw, the thread is always catching on it? Or maybe it has just seized up if it hasn't been used for a while. Can you give it a damn good clean with compressed air, WD40, etc?

Cleaning does make all the difference. Machines do need cleaning regularly and it is worth getting the lint and tiny bits of thread out.

Also the needle doesn't have to be bent to cause problems - the point could have a tiny nick in it. I have had similar problems to you, even with a new needle and found that in all the faffing around the needle had got blunt.

It does sound like your needle is too thick though which also makes a difference.

If it is any consolation for not saving up for longer, the machine that played up was a Janome. It does have an automatic tension adjuster thing but it is rarely right and so I tend to do it manually. It also hates Guttermann threads. It has to be 100% cotton and so far Coats and King Tut have been OK.

If you try all the above and it's still doing it, there is another thing to try.

Try lifting the foot plate out - you know the plate that the teeth pop up from and the bobbin thread pulls through - there's usually either 2 little screws, or one screw and a little 'arm' keeping it in place.. undo the screws and try flipping it out. (mine flips out from the left side)

If you do that, get a tiny damp paint brush and clean all the bits of fluff out, there's usually quite a bit collected under there, and it really affects the pull through timing of the bobbin thread and teeth.