Burda Style For people who sew

Hi, my little sewing machine and me always run into problems!:(
Now no matter which way I turn the tension wheel the stitching is still too loose! :(
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks!

Nov 17, 2009, 02.07 PM by conker

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5 Posts

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  Nov 17, 2009, 02.56 PMby katensew

  You have to figure out which tension is troublesome – the upper or lower. To do this thread the machine with different colours of thread above and in the bobbin below. E.G Say red above and blue below. Stitch through a double layer of your fabric (noting which side of this sample is facing uppermost when you do this). Look at the sample this way up — if the blue thread has formed loops that are obvious on this side then the upper tension maybe too tight. So turn the tension dial to a lower number. HOWEVER if you turn the sample over and the red thread has formed visible loops then the upper tension is too loose and you need to adjust this by turning the dial to a higher number. You may have to keep making minor adjustments until it is OK. It is very seldom that the bobbin tension needs to be altered to compensate as this is set during manufacture and should only be adjusted if you feel competent. Try the top tensions first. Ask me for other details if that doesn’t work. Check that the tension discs are not blocked with fluff also are you threading the bobbin correctly ? You should “feel” the tension when the bobbin is threaded correctly – let me know if it feels loose.
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  Nov 17, 2009, 09.33 PMby jays

  I have the same problem with my new machine, the lower thread tension is loose the upper is fine, i will turn the the dial -is this the stitch size dial or the little screw on the bobbin bit???? i am so clueless, thanks for your help!
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  Nov 18, 2009, 11.14 AMby katensew

  The dial at the top of the machine ( usually above the needle or higher on the left of the machine- you will note that the thread passes through between discs) is to alter the top tension – as mentioned above. To alter the bottom tension there is a very small screw located either on the separate bobbin case OR to one side of the built -in bobbin housing ( depends on the machine ) You will need a very fine screwdriver to alter this. As wiyh all screws turning clockwise TIGHTENS ( you are recommended to count the turns/ or part turns so that you can return to the original if it doesn’t work ) and turning anti-clockwise LOOSENS. It is then trial and error to balance both tensions. Do always try out on double fabric. Hope this helps.
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  Nov 19, 2009, 01.05 PMby conker

  Thank you so much katensew, Ive been so busy so havent had a chance to even get my sewing machine out, but I will now follow your advice at the weekend! Thank you!!
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  Nov 19, 2009, 06.59 PMby oscarthegrouch108

  another thought, you may be improperly threading. go by the manuals instructions, making sure that the presser foot is up. the tension disks are open when the foot is up, and closed when the foot is down. if you thread with the foot down, the disks are closed so the thread doesn’t get in between the disks properly. also, i’ve had a machine that would somehow loop the thread around itself, or partially un-thread itself nearly every time i turned around.

  i’ve also found that my machine can be finicky and just wants the attention of re-threading.

  once you know that your tension is right, if it still is being naughty it might be one of the things that i mentioned above. when my tension seems wrong, i usually re-thread my machine first to see if it was a problem with the threading instead. just wanted to throw those ideas out there.

  good luck!