if the tension is to stiff. and the tension is on number 3 What on earth is going on with this machine. Love Marie

There are two tension settings on your machine. Whether you have the $500 entry level machine or the latest $10,000 top of the line machine, there are still two tensions. One is for the upper thread and one is for the lower thread.



To make it easy to understand the concept of "tension" let's just say that there should be a certain amount of "pull" required to get the upper thread to come through your machine mechanisms and a certain amount of "pull" required to get the lower thread to come out of the bobbin area. If the amount of pull is too much or too little, then we have a problem that shows up in the design.



The best way to see the problem is to stitch out a simple strip of design with a dark thread on top and white bobbin thread. The strip shaped design would be about 1/4" wide and 1" long. When it is finished and you look at the top side of the fabric, you should see all dark thread. When you look at the bottom side of the fabric, you should see the white thread along the center of the bar and a narrow strip of dark thread along each of the two sides.



If you see white bobbin thread on the top of the design, then there is a problem with the tension. If you see a lot of dark thread on the bottom of the design, or no dark thread on the bottom at all, then there is a problem with the tension.



The question is, when either of these happen, exactly what is the problem with the tension? You see, there are four possible problems...



the top thread tension can be too loose

the top thread tension can be too tight

the bottom thread tension can be too loose

the bottom thread tension can be too tight



Which is it?



Let's rearrange these four possibilities to look like this...



the top thread tension can be too loose

the bottom thread tension can be too tight



the top thread tension can be too tight

the bottom thread tension can be too loose



I rearranged them because even though there are four possibilities, there are really only two possible results.



If either the top thread tension is too loose OR the bottom thread tension is too tight, you get the same result... in either case, you will have white thread on the top side of the design. That's because the top thread is being pulled on so hard by the tension settings that it is not able to get fully around to the bottom side of the fabric.



If either the top thread tension is too tight OR the bottom thread tension is too loose, you get the opposite result... in either case, you will have too much dark thread showing on the bottom side of the design. That's because the top thread is being pulled too hard and is being sucked under the fabric too far.



Now here's where it gets fun...



The top tension is set by an adjustment on your machine. Depending on the age, brand, and model of your machine, that adjustment can be controlled by push-button on your machine's computer control screen, a wheel with numbers on it, a slide lever, or other mechanical controls. Your owner's manual will tell you how to set your tension if your dealer didn't show you when you bought your machine.



The bottom tension is typically set by the bobbin casing being positioned properly. Usually, that means you push or pull on a small set point in the bobbin mount area.



Since too much tension on the top gives the same result as not enough tension on the bottom, and since not enough tension on the top gives the same result as not enough tension on the bottom, we can get almost forget about the bottom tension settings and deal exclusively with the top tension settings. Because we can control everything in the tension by adjusting just the top setting.



IF IF IF IF IF... if the bottom was set right to begin with, and we didn't do anything to change it, (like put the bobbin in wrong or bend anything accidentally) then the bottom shouldn't need to be adjusted.



Let me say that again, you can affect tension changes just by adjusting the top tension. Once your tension is set properly, it shouldn't be changed on a routine basis. The only time you should need to change you tension is when you are changing to stitching onto multiple layers of material, and even then, only slight changes.



So why did I start this out with saying "The problem is NOT the tension settings"? Because when you do see problems that indicate the tension is off, look at the thread path first (see Lesson #4) as the most likely reason that your tension changed.

If the bottom thread is coming to the top the top tension is too tight. I would do all the other tips plus the top tension.

Hallo bokkieborduur, I hope you've solved the problem. In my designer I cant put the bobbin upside down - it just won't fit in - but in my other machine I have done that a couple of times -that causes a mess. The bobbin tension is very sensitive, so if you start adjusting that - and it's about the last thing you should consider doing - think of a clock and do 5 minute increments at a time. Sterkte en succes. Martine

well if this problem does not go away, you go back to the service. It's supposed to work better after servive, not worse!! hugs for you, hope you can embroider soon with pleasure. but try another bobbin first.

Bokkie, I hope by now u have solved your problem. I can think of nothing worse with a machine than tension problems. *

Hallo Bokkieborduur, As die fout by die bobbin is, kyk gerus eers of jy nie dalk die gare bo verkeerd ingesit het nie. Dit is baie keer die fout en as dit bo nie reg is nie, is die fout dikwels by die bobbin. As jy aan die bobbin tension stel, net 'n baie klein entjie op 'n keer want dit is baie sensitief. Sterkte vir jou. Annatjie

I just had the same problem Marie. After doing all that I could think off to do, like changing the needle, cleaning, dusting and whatever more, I was about to give up! In my last attempt to help my machine I unwind the bobbin with the intent to rewind it and guess what, I found the trouble, it is the plastic bobbin itself, by accident I found that the inside of one of the bobbin rims has a rough service causing the thread to get caught and making all this mess.

I forgot about the last time I also had this problem and then it was the bobbin being slightly warped from heat possibly due to sunlight!

Marie, try going through every bit and bob that you are able to, with a detective eye!
I hope you find your peace again, hugs Vix!

unthread it altogether, turn off. wait one minute. clean under bobbin, re-thread upper and bobbin and turn down tension just a wee bit, see if this helps, can also try flossing the upper tension area with unwaxed dental floss. good luck.

1 comment

by marietta 12 Oct 2009

Good advice.

Hi, The bobbin holder or case that holds the bobbin has a little screw - it adjusts the tension for the bobbin - on the side of it-screw it one way and it tightens it screw it the other and it loosens it. If the thread comes to the top on mine - Designer 1 I adjust it clockwise - only a fraction at a time until the tension is right. Also look for any threads that maybe caught in that area. Hope this helps you.

2 comments

by marietta 12 Oct 2009

This works for me sometimes, but it is the absolute last thing I do, as the bobbin tension setting is very fine and finiky.

by robnmona 13 Oct 2009

I do adjust mine from time to time. That would be the first thing I would try. I just hope you get it fixed quickly. Nothing worse than not being able to stitch out a design when you are all set to go.

Mona