If you sew, you know. Sewing machine tensions frequently mess up, even on the finest sewing machines. The key is awareness of what makes the tensions work or mess up. Once you gain insight to the operation of tensions, you will greatly reduce your frustrations.
Tension is the amount of drag or resistance on the thread as it moves through the sewing machine. When the tension on top and on bottom are balanced properly, the threads will join in the middle of the fabric with no excess thread on top or the bottom of the fabric.
On top you can see the thread go through the various guides. It then goes through a tension assembly and the take up lever. Finally, it is threaded through the needle. To adjust, turn the tension knob right to tighten or left to loosen.
The bobbin tension is not quite as obvious. In fact, you may not even be fully aware of it. In the early days of the sewing machine, it used what was called a shuttle. It was a long case with a pointed end and and open end to slid the bobbin into. Modern sewing machine use bobbins and bobbin carriers that are generally more rounded. You machine may have a top loading, front loading, or a side loading bobbin.
Basically, all the bobbin tension systems work alike. The bobbin goes into the bobbin carrier or holder. Thread wound on the bobbin, is pulled under a tension spring. Eventually, the thread is drawn up through the hole in the needle plate.
First, always use the proper bobbin for your sewing machine. This is vital. The bobbins often look very much alike, but their subtle differences can make the difference between smooth sewing and junk sewing.
Then, take a look at your bobbin. You should see thread evenly wound on the bobbin without any puckers, loops, or bumps on the edge of the winding. If the thread is not properly wound, pull it off and wind it correctly. Never use a poorly wound bobbin.
Next, follow the sewing machine manual exactly or have a professional sewing machine technician show you how to put the bobbin and its carrier into position. Failure to correctly insert the carrier or bobbin, will result in frustration. As you insert the bobbin, trail the thread under the tension spring according to the manufacturers instructions.
Thread the bobbin tension which looks like a small piece of metal on the outside of the carrier. Your sewing machine manual or sewing machine technician can should you if you need help. Draw the thread back under the spring.
A tiny screw holds the tension spring in place. Turning this screw to the right will tighten the lower tension. Turning it to the left will loosen the bobbin tension. (Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosey).
Fifth, some bobbin carriers are built into the machine or fasten in place to receive the bobbin. Other bobbin carriers are made as bobbin cases which detach from the machine to receive the bobbin and then are reinserted after loading the bobbin.
Test the tension on removable carriers. Insert the bobbin, and train the thread back under the tension spring. Draw the thread through the carrier and make sure it flows smoothly with a gentle pull. Hold the thread and let the carrier and bobbin drop. If it falls quickly, tighten the tension screw. If it dangles, give it a little bounce. It should drop an inch or so. If it does not, loosen the tension screw.
Drop in bobbins can be tested using the gentle draw test we used with the detachable carriers. Remember, the thread should flow smoothly through the bobbin tension with a gently pull. If it is too hard, loosen the adjusting screw. If you do not feel drag, make sure there is not lint under the tension spring and tighten.
Always be on the lookout for anything that might interfere with proper operation of the thread flow. Rough spots, burrs, lint, and dirt can cause big problems. Fix problems before you get frustrated. The bobbin tension should not have to be reset unless you significantly change the size or type of thread you are using.
Tension is the amount of drag or resistance on the thread as it moves through the sewing machine. When the tension on top and on bottom are balanced properly, the threads will join in the middle of the fabric with no excess thread on top or the bottom of the fabric.
On top you can see the thread go through the various guides. It then goes through a tension assembly and the take up lever. Finally, it is threaded through the needle. To adjust, turn the tension knob right to tighten or left to loosen.
The bobbin tension is not quite as obvious. In fact, you may not even be fully aware of it. In the early days of the sewing machine, it used what was called a shuttle. It was a long case with a pointed end and and open end to slid the bobbin into. Modern sewing machine use bobbins and bobbin carriers that are generally more rounded. You machine may have a top loading, front loading, or a side loading bobbin.
Basically, all the bobbin tension systems work alike. The bobbin goes into the bobbin carrier or holder. Thread wound on the bobbin, is pulled under a tension spring. Eventually, the thread is drawn up through the hole in the needle plate.
First, always use the proper bobbin for your sewing machine. This is vital. The bobbins often look very much alike, but their subtle differences can make the difference between smooth sewing and junk sewing.
Then, take a look at your bobbin. You should see thread evenly wound on the bobbin without any puckers, loops, or bumps on the edge of the winding. If the thread is not properly wound, pull it off and wind it correctly. Never use a poorly wound bobbin.
Next, follow the sewing machine manual exactly or have a professional sewing machine technician show you how to put the bobbin and its carrier into position. Failure to correctly insert the carrier or bobbin, will result in frustration. As you insert the bobbin, trail the thread under the tension spring according to the manufacturers instructions.
Thread the bobbin tension which looks like a small piece of metal on the outside of the carrier. Your sewing machine manual or sewing machine technician can should you if you need help. Draw the thread back under the spring.
A tiny screw holds the tension spring in place. Turning this screw to the right will tighten the lower tension. Turning it to the left will loosen the bobbin tension. (Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosey).
Fifth, some bobbin carriers are built into the machine or fasten in place to receive the bobbin. Other bobbin carriers are made as bobbin cases which detach from the machine to receive the bobbin and then are reinserted after loading the bobbin.
Test the tension on removable carriers. Insert the bobbin, and train the thread back under the tension spring. Draw the thread through the carrier and make sure it flows smoothly with a gentle pull. Hold the thread and let the carrier and bobbin drop. If it falls quickly, tighten the tension screw. If it dangles, give it a little bounce. It should drop an inch or so. If it does not, loosen the tension screw.
Drop in bobbins can be tested using the gentle draw test we used with the detachable carriers. Remember, the thread should flow smoothly through the bobbin tension with a gently pull. If it is too hard, loosen the adjusting screw. If you do not feel drag, make sure there is not lint under the tension spring and tighten.
Always be on the lookout for anything that might interfere with proper operation of the thread flow. Rough spots, burrs, lint, and dirt can cause big problems. Fix problems before you get frustrated. The bobbin tension should not have to be reset unless you significantly change the size or type of thread you are using.
About the Author:
Findyour sewing instructions from Author Donna Trumble. She answers all your sewing questions and gives practical basic sewing instructions that will make sewing and quilting fun. Download a copy of your free ebook Top Ten Sewing Answers.
No comments:
Post a Comment