Tension Issues?

[LooksLikeImStuckHere]

Please help before I throw my sewing machine out of the window!

I have a Janine 5024 and have been sewing for years. Tension never seemed to be an issue but I think I’ve tried messing around with it on occasions and I think the machine has had enough.

I’m just trying to sew a cotton fabric, not too thin or thick, only two sides with a straight stitch. Guterman thread in both top and bottom. I think the top thread tension is correct because it doesn’t pull when I test it and the foot is down. But then it doesn’t do that most of the time so that could still be the issue.

I changed the colour of the bottom thread so I could see what was going on but there seems to be no balance! The top thread always shows through on the wrong side. If I get it to a moderately acceptable state (still isn’t great) then I can see the bottom thread on the right side. I’m stumped. And pissed off.

So far I have:

• changed the needle (size 9 and 11)
• cleaned out both the bobbin compartment
• cleaned underneath the main plate and in amongst the teeth
• changed the tension at half increments
• sworn at the machine.

There isn’t an easy way to change the bottom tension I don’t think...

Going to bed before I start crying but any help would be gratefully received.

TIA

Does it need oiling?

Not sure, think that I may send it in to be serviced because I’m damned if I know what else to do!

(Still not made it to bed )

Anyone else got any ideas? I have a PE bag to make for Thursday and I won’t be able to get it serviced by then.

I really wouldn't fiddle with the bottom tension- it may be just me, but every tie I've done this, I've ended up replacing the machine.
Every time I've had problems like this, it has turned out to be either the wrong kind of bobbin, or a mistake in the threading (sometimes top, sometimes bottom).

Has it been nicely looked after, oiled and cleaned etc? There is a guy in my area who services machines locally. He posts on FB about the machines he has fixed, it’s a bit annoying and ‘look at me aren’t I amazing’ if I’m honest, non the less it’s interesting to see what small things have caused issues on machines that he has swooped in and fixed.

It might be worth a service. Does the shop you bought it from offer to do a service on it?

I would also say don’t fiddle with the bottom tension. It might be worth double checking with the manual that you’ve set every last thing up correctly though.