My machine (Janome MC97000) seems to particularly dislike text, and with the upper tension turned right down, still draws a little bit of bobbin thread to the surface. I'm hestitating to fiddle with the bobbin tension so I've taken the cheats way out and now use the same colour in the bobbin for text! Works like a charm.

I've had to tweak my bobbin tension on my Brother after 8 months. Was getting bobbin thread on the top of the stitchout. All is well now. Don in TX

Sorry to hear that you have trouble with the tension. I am so fortunate with my Viking machines. I have never had to changed the tension.

Sue I also have the MC9700 and have never had to adjust my tension. When I started using a different brand of bobbin thread my tech asked me to bring in my machine and let him check it with that thread and do any adjustment that might be necessary, he didn't charge me and said it didn't need any adjustment but sometimes changing bobbin thread brands will make a difference. Hugs, Karen

1 comment

by spendlove 20 Jan 2011

Thanks - I've used two makes so far.

Sue I also don't like to fiddle with the bobbin tension, I always use the same colour thread in the bobbin if I am doing a text with a small fonts. Hugs Yvonne

i use this sometimes if i get really frustrated.
http://www.windstarembroidery.com...
there's good instructions about thread tension on there too.

1 comment

by spendlove 20 Jan 2011

Thanks for that - I've downloaded the janome file and will give it a try!

I willl find out today how well my tension is working, Sue. I had the same problem with my Bernina since day one, the bobbin thread would show on top on certain things no matter where I set the tension.....Alice, bless her heart, tried to give me the courage to play with my bobbin tension, but I knew it was going into the shop soon, so I waited. My tech put an updated tension disc in the machine, amongst other upgrades, that Bernina found needed to be done to the machine for better performance, of course these were free of charge, and there were alot of parts changed out under the warranty, so today I will see if any of this helped with the tension problems. Sometimes these newer machines head to the market before they are ready...

2 comments

by ssampsel 20 Jan 2011

i'm still not really happy with my Bernina. just got it out of the shop and it still "ain't quite tight", hopefully today it will do better!

by spendlove 20 Jan 2011

Glad it isn't just me!

Sorry to disagree with you Ricky, but with the amount of vibration our embroidery machines suffer, it is quite common for the bobbin tension to increase or decrease over time as the little screw either tightens or loosens.

I have a Brother 750 "D" with "D"isgraceful tension problems and the mechanic advised me to experiment with the bobbin tension until I got it to where I was happy with it (using Brother bobbin thread), then I should only need to adjust the top tension with different needles and threads.

I put a very small alignment mark, where the tension screw is set to on the bobbin, so now I can tell instantly if it has vibrated in either direction.

Now this in itself doesn't say much, but over the last 55 years I have never hesitated to adjust my bobbin tension if and when it needed it and I have never been struck down by lightning or swallowed up by monsters for doing it.

I speak from sewing experience and a mechanically minded brain. (YES I'm a tomboy! I can fix most things, service my own car and change a flat! LOL!!)

The first decent sewing machine I ever owned was an Elna Supermatic purchased in 1968 and in the last 42 years it has stitched everything from the most delicate baby clothes to leather hand bags, webbing halters and bridles and canvas horse rugs.

It has NEVER had a professional service, (other than by me), and it still runs almost as good as new and yes, on the rare occasion it needed it, I adjusted the bobbin tension.

OK, I know it is one very tough machine compared to our finicky, fussy, embroidery machines, but in the last week I have adjusted the bobbin tension on both of my $7,000 Elna Embroidery machines and I have even had to adjust the bobbin tension on that very expensive Designer Diamond. (they all did a lot of work over Christmas :-))

So for what it is worth.

If the bobbin thread is a straight line

..... and your top thread is clearly showing in little loops on the underside, then your top thread tension needs tightening.

If the bobbin thread is a straight line

..... and your top tension is as tight as it will go, (which is way too tight), then your bobbin thread tension needs loosening until you can return your top tension to the normal half-way mark.

You only need turn the little screw, anti-clockwise, in 1/16th increments.

Then, choose a basic block font text and test stitch a word using dark top thread and white bobbin thread, preferably on dark material so you can clearly see the results.

repeat the adjustment and test stitch-out until you are happy with the result.

For future reference:
Using nail polish on a toothpick, put a small alignment mark on your bobbin tension screw, lining up with the left side of the driver slot.

The only reason you should need to adjust your tension for Text (probably satin stitch) is if the stitch is either too wide or the pull compensation has not been set correctly for the stitch width, or you have not hooped the fabric and stabiliser tight enough.

Just my opinions and probably not worth much to anyone else. :-)
Hugs and roses, Meganne

4 comments

by spendlove 20 Jan 2011

Thanks for such a detailed response!

by jkdavis1996 20 Jan 2011

thank you Meganne. I don't mind getting into some things mechanically...I mean a service charge and lifting my sewing machine is something to avoid at all costs. :) But I have not been able to get education from someone (including the service people who basically have said don't touch anything), so I am really appreciative of your advice and plan on marking this post so I can pull it up at a moment's notice. I have a good brain and am truly capable of following good instruction...so that mess of power is knowledge and I'm keeping the power to myself is not understood by me. I LOVE to share education and enable people for their own benefit. Thank you Meganne for sharing your knowledge.

by meganne 21 Jan 2011

Oh I so agree JK.
My dealer has even shown me how to get into the hidden recesses of my Diamond so I can clean it myself. He trusts that I am "capable" of taking care of my machine without stuffing it up.

Of course, when it comes to a yearly service, I do (now) pay to have these modern machines done by the professional mechanic, but if I dismantle and clean them after each use there is very little required at the yearly service so it costs me less.

That reminds me, I have two Singers in pieces up at the house to put back together.
I don't know! A mans work is never done!
Unless it is done better by a woman! hehehehehehe!!!

by danababes 21 Jan 2011

My Brother dealer says I can either adjust the bobbin tension myself or he'll happily charge the standard service fee to do it for me so I save myself the $80 and do it myself lol. I have no fear of the bobbin either :)

I'm a DIY person too: built my mom a shadehouse for her birthday last week; today & tomorrow I'm painting my roof (as in standing ON it to paint it) - in this heat lol am I mad? My sewing & embroidering list is growing fast but being neglected lol. xXx

Hi Sue, Recently got my machine back from having it serviced and the tension was one of the things I wanted the guy to have a look at. He told me that I must turn the tension down one notch for text. It is working - so worth the effort in trying to remember to change the tension. Sarah.

Don't ever fiddle with the bobbin tension.It has been precision set at the factory. If you get your machine serviced regularly, you should never have a problem with the bobbin in your Janome.
My Janome man said that applies to all machines, including your regular sewing machine.
Have your tension set on 2 for your Janome and slow it right down when doing lettering.
If you are using a dark top colour it is a good idea to use a dark colour in your bobbin as well.
Even when I do a lot of black fill stitches I use black bobbin fill.

I don't hesitate for a moment to adjust the bobbin tension, a lot of people won't but my dealer who is a machine mechanic showed me how to do it. I find it really does need to be adjusted at times. I don't think you should have to adjust your tension when the stitch type changes.

2 comments

by spendlove 20 Jan 2011

Perhaps it is time for a service - although I had the problem for as long as I've had the machine!

by fannyfurkin 21 Jan 2011

Sue this is a blog post I wrote a while ago about how to do this.
http://www.embroidery-allsorts.co...