I am going to try and upload pics of the thread problem I am having. Wish me luck.

Let us know if you get your machine fixed and what the problem is with the tension or if you take it back and get a different one.

May help someone else with this same machine.
EastWitch2

1 comment

by leenova54 31 Aug 2010

I found a guy through an alterations place and he charged me $25, it was the bobbin tension, why it went out of whack from one stitch out to the next is beyond me. He also said to put the top tension on 3 now, had been on 4 before.

you can take your machine any place they work on machines and they will set the tention on it for you.
Or best yet is take it back to wal mart and tell them it does not work right and you want your money back.
Mine did this and I found out I was putting bobbin ib wrong

1 comment

by leenova54 31 Aug 2010

I should have taken it back to Walmart for a new one. The guy I found was through an alterations place and he came to my house. I had to help him figure out the bobbin cover stuff and provide a screwdriver that would fit into the space but he fixed it at my house for $25! So I got a couple of projects posted that I did right away!

looking at your picture #2 it looks like the wrong stabilizer for the project. H&*

1 comment

by leenova54 31 Aug 2010

# 1 and # 2 were done one after the other with everything identical, go figure.

I followed the directions on this page: http://www.annsultfixit.com/UltFi... to reset my bobbin tension and now my machine sews like a dream. I had the same problems with my tension being out and I was sewing at 1/2 tension (as in between 0 and 1) this is practically NO tension on the upper thread...same problem you're having. Make sure you weigh the coins after you've taped them together and with the bobbin thread attached to be sure its somewhere around 17 grams, as it says in the instructions.

I dont have a ULT, but I do have a Brother machine. Check your manual too, as Brother has two different weight bobbin threads and your manual will tell you which one you should be using. I used the recommened thread while resetting my bobbin tension, and afterward was able to use embroidery/top thread in the bobbin, so now I can sew FSL :)

One more thing: my Brother dealer told me to use only "topstitch" needles for embroidery, no matter what fabric I'm embroidering on, as the topstitch needles have a long eye.

I hope something here helps you out, coz whacky tensions can drive you insane (like rethreading an overlocker can lol). xXx

1 comment

by leenova54 28 Aug 2010

Didn't make any sense of that, maybe I am foggy from too much working on this darn thing. I'm not doing anything else, gonna talk to a repair guy or return it and go somewhere else if Walmart gives me my money back.

I don't know if this will help or not. Take a look. http://www.windstarembroidery.com...

1 comment

by leenova54 28 Aug 2010

Frustration, nothing is making sense anymore. Gonna talk to a repair guy or return it and see if Walmart will give me my money back and check at another place for one, a place that provides service and maybe lessons!

Oh my Debra, you are having tension trouble - big time - I feel for you - I wouldn't know how to adjust that - I always just take mine in and tell the dealer what is wrong with it - that is why I love a local sewing center - they know what to do and just do it for you. I really should learn more about my machine - as these sorts of things seem to happen - when the store is closed. I hope someone has given you some good help.

1 comment

by leenova54 28 Aug 2010

I have tried everything! Waiting to hear back from a recommended service guy to see if he does Brother machines, otherwise it's going back to Walmart!

I have a brother machine too, when I remove the bobbinplate and remove the bobbin there's a kind of case in which the bobbin fits. when I remove that case there's a little screw on the front site. My dealer adviced me once in case I cannot change the tension of the upper thread too much and the bobbin is still showing, i could turn this little screw just a little bit ( to the right) so the thread of the tension in the bobbin goes a little more heavier.But he also said make sure the bobbinholder is clean, so no rest threads that disfunction the tension of this bobbin thread.and this helped me. sometimes after a lot of embroidering the bobbin starts showing again: I clean the bobbin holder and if still showing I turn that little screw just a little bit.By the way I always use the special bobbinthread so no common thread as bobbin. Hope your problem will be solved, because this is just so disappointing when you think to make something nice. *4u
Sorry for some reason this came up twice

I have a brother machine too, when I remove the bobbinplate and remove the bobbin there's a kind of case in which the bobbin fits. when I remove that case there's a little screw on the front site. My dealer adviced me once in case I cannot change the tension of the upper thread too much and the bobbin is still showing, i could turn this little screw just a little bit ( to the right) so the thread of the tension in the bobbin goes a little more heavier.But he also said make sure the bobbinholder is clean, so no rest threads that disfunction the tension of this bobbin thread.and this helped me. sometimes after a lot of embroidering the bobbin starts showing again: I clean the bobbin holder and if still showing I turn that little screw just a little bit.By the way I always use the special bobbinthread so no common thread as bobbin. Hope your problem will be solved, because this is just so disappointing when you think to make something nice. *4u

1 comment

by leenova54 28 Aug 2010

done, no help. Waiting on a call back from a repair service to see if they work on Brother.

What stabilizers are you using? What brand of thread are you using? These two things can make a huge difference with the stitch outs. H&*

1 comment

by leenova54 28 Aug 2010

Tried different kinds of thread and stabilizer and bobbin thread.

Firstly: You should check to make sure your bobbin thread is actually going in between the tension disc of the bobbin case and you should tighten your bobbin tension, usually this means turning the little screw towards the right (clockwise).

Alternatively you should LOOSEN your needle thread tension.

The problem you are having is DEFINITELY either bobbin tension too loose or top tension too tight Possibly even both these things.

If you cannot adjust your bobbin any tighter, try buying a new bobbin case assembly.

Not that it helps much but Brother machines are renowned for having tension problems.

I have constant tension problems with my Brother 750D, so much so I have not even stitched out 5 designs on it since I bought it 21 months ago.

Another thing that will add to your problem is the size of your needle, make sure you are using embroidery needles, if you are using size 90/14 try changing to a 75/11 and PLEASE change your needle frequently.
You can buy Schmetz needles very cheaply by the hundreds on Ebay so don't scrimp on replacing them as blunt needles can cause the same sort of problems.
Hugs n roses, Meganne

1 comment

by leenova54 28 Aug 2010

I tried a new needle and am using the 75/11 sharp. I gave the bobbin screw a little turn and put the top tension on a lower number with no better results. It is beyond my help. I called a guy who MIGHT work on Brother machines,not sure yet, waiting for a call back. Otherwise, Walmart, here it comes!

my first machine was a brother se270d and I have had similar problems. I could not get anyone here to work on it so I took it on myself. First I took off the embroidery unit and hooked the machine up for regular sewing. Then adjusted the tension until it looked the same on both sides. I put back on the embroidery unit and used a nebs prewound bobbin. Worked much better with the prewound bobbin even better with nebs.

1 comment

by leenova54 28 Aug 2010

Right now I have given up.

Hi It could be a bad bobbin case you have in there or the bobbin itself. Try another bobbin. I had a problem with bobbins before. I found three of them that were no good. It could be a defective bobbin case itself that needs replacing. You might have a bad one. I know you get tired of it could be or might be but we are all trying our best to get you through a tough time. I never buy a machine except at a dealers that services them as well and had trained professionals there that can answer your questions as well as fix them. Hope that someone hits the nail on the head for you and solves your frustrating problem for you Good luck. I am going to try to monitor this until it is solved so the next time someone runs into the problem we will all have the answer. I really feel your pain! If it doesn't help return the thing and get a machine elsewhere. You should not have to put up with this on a new machine. Suzanne

2 comments

by leenova54 28 Aug 2010

It is looking like I will be returning it, problem is that to get a machine at a place that works on them would cost a lot more. I paid under $400 for this one at Walmart and it looks like other machines cost a lot more than that.

by sdrise 28 Aug 2010

It's worth the investment and your peace of mind and the fact that you will have a machine that works!! Lots of times they have trade ins that people upgrade to a better machine and they sell those trade ins cheaper. I know I traded my new machine in after 8 months for a newer model and they sold my trade in for less that half. Check it out before you buy. Suzanne Good luck!

It appears you have tried everything possible! If it were me, I'd call Brother and tell them you are returning it, you want a postage free label or you're taking it back to Walmart and have them give a return authorization number. I don't have the patience to deal with that kind of problem and you may have gottern yourself a "lemon". Carol

2 comments

by sdrise 28 Aug 2010

here here I think caroldann has the right idea a new machine should not do this. It should run smooth for you. Suzanne

by leenova54 28 Aug 2010

I am planning on returning it since I have tried everything else, I hate to get another machine just like it and no service help but due to cost I will probably have to get the identical machine.

Try cleaning out the upper tension disks and the take up lever..there may be some thread tales caught around them..also make sure bobbins are evenly and firmly wound...unevenly wound bobbins will wreak havoc on stitches...

1 comment

by leenova54 28 Aug 2010

I dusted with stabilizer in the places I could and then I bought canned air and blew it out. I have tried multiple bobbins, always problems.

I had this happen, took the sew-outs into my dealer
The tech made a few adjustments (I think if I can remember it was a tension adjustment)
My machine came home good as new as still working great..

1 comment

by leenova54 28 Aug 2010

No dealer for Brother around here. Top tension doesn't help much.

I had this to happen to me before and it got on my nerves...YUCK ;( *2U

This is the worst it has gotten.

1 images:[1]

3 comments

by mad14kt 28 Aug 2010

WOW *2U

by keeponsewing 28 Aug 2010

Seeing this, Debra, it is your upper thread tension. You need to go to your tension display and press the negative button. If those are loops on the right side of your fabric, then you need to press the plus button. I can't see very well with these glasses. hehehe... But I think it is your upper tension and not the bobbin. Hope this helps some and you can get it resolved so you can start embroidering again.

by leenova54 28 Aug 2010

My machine has a dial on top for the upper tension and I have dialed it as far down as between 0 and 1 to get near normal. That is the top of the right side of the fabric there. Don't think it's the bobbin thread then? Maybe Walmart should replace it, it's been about 9 months now that I have had it.

The first is a tree on felt that came out perfect (bits of wss not removed yet. Next is the problems of bobbin threads showing. The letter "B" is of me dialing down the top tension as I went. The one with the least bobbin thread showing was set at 0 to 1.

3 images:[1]
[2]
[3]

3 comments

by leenova54 28 Aug 2010

going to scan one more pic to show you the work at it's worst.

by keeponsewing 28 Aug 2010

does this do it only on one type of fabric or all that you have tried? It looks like either your bobbin is loose or the top thread is loose. I can't tell which. Have you worked with your top thread tension at all? I guess you could do what many do is keep you a pack of colored perm. markers and start filling in the blanks. hehehe...When was the last time you had your machine tuned? Was it recent? If so, I'd call them up and let them know what is going on. I sure hope you find out soon...

by leenova54 28 Aug 2010

Haven't had it long enough for a tune-up and no Brother service around here, don't know why, the lady at the embroidery place inside Joann's said it seems like everyone around here has Brother machines...they don't sell them there. Walmart shoppers here. I have things I wanted to do for my son's wedding in Oct. so this is not making me happy!

Keep on trying - you can do it. Hugs

1 comment

by leenova54 28 Aug 2010

I've been trying for weeks, getting sick of it. I think the machine is going back to Walmart, I may have to fight with them, I have the receipt but it was bought in Dec.