SEWING MACHINE TENSION ADJUSTMENT

Sewing machine tension adjustment. Correct tension on the sewing machine is essential as it ensures that the stitch is consistent and looks the same on both sides. But just as important as proper tension is that even experienced sewers avoid tension wheels on their sewing machines. Adjusting the tension on your sewing machine can seem like a daunting task, but once you understand a few basic concepts, there really is nothing mysterious about setting and adjusting the thread tension on your sewing machine, regardless of its make or model.

Sewing machine tension is a great way to indicate the amount of thread that can go through your machine at one time. A looser stitch means that more threads come out at once, as opposed to a tight stitch where the machine only puts out a little bit of thread at a time. It’s interesting that it’s called sewing machine tension because when it doesn’t cooperate, it really strains the sewing machine.

The tension setting of the sewing machine is controlled by devices that separately control the upper and lower thread; applying varying amounts of tension (or force) to the threads they control to create a strong, balanced stitch. Sewing machine tension can be tightened or loosened to affect the needle, bobbin thread, or both.

[lwptoc]

HOW TO ADJUST SEWING MACHINE TENSION

Find the thread guides. Thread guides are metal devices that help regulate tension. These are different loops that you pull the thread through before threading it onto the needle. They prevent the thread from tangling and evenly distribute the tension from the spool to your fabric.

Find the idler pulleys and the regulator. The tension discs compress the thread as it passes between them, while the tension regulator controls the amount of pressure on the discs. The thrust regulator is elementary: when set to a higher number (turning clockwise), the discs come closer together, increasing the pressure. Turning to a lower number (counter-clockwise) moves the discs further apart, reducing the pressure. On newer models, there are three discs on the front of the machine controlled by a dial or keyboard. Unless you have a newer machine that does automatic top tension adjustment, using a thicker thread without resetting the dial will increase the pressure and cause the top thread flow to decrease.

Find the coil. The flat spring of the bobbin case applies pressure to the thread as it exits the bobbin case. You can either dip the bobbin on the bobbin (you won’t have a bobbin case), or fill the bottom with the bobbin case in the compartment under the needle. The amount of pressure on the coil is regulated by a small screw on the back of the spring.

Both the spring and the bolt are easy to find when the machine has separate spool housing. When a machine has a take-up reel with built-in reel housing, locating the tension screw can be more difficult, but a little searching will reveal that it is there. In either case, use a small screwdriver to turn the screw clockwise (to a higher number) or counterclockwise (to a lower number) to increase the resistance. Understand the tension. The tension is what keeps your bottom and top stitches at the same tension. In other words, it’s what keeps your front and back stitches the same. Both top and bottom tension must work together to create a consistent stitch. If your top and bottom stitches are not even, it may be because your tension at the top or bottom is not correct. Most home sewing machines are of the “bound stitch” type. This means that the upper thread and the lower thread will “lock”. If they don’t “fit” properly, you may have a tension problem.

Sew a test seam. Using a small fabric swatch, run a few seams down the center of the square. Observe the upper and lower surface of the seams; if necessary use a magnifying glass. Remember that you want the stitches to look even on both sides of the fabric. If the thread is so tight that the fabric bunches around it, or if the stitch is loose and falling apart, you may have a tension problem. If your stitches look perfect and the sewing machine sews great, don’t touch the tension buttons.

HOW TO SOLVE SEWING MACHINE TENSION ADJUSTMENT

Sewing machine tension adjustment. Learning how to adjust the tension on your sewing machine can seem overwhelming, but it’s a basic sewing skill that every seamstress should have in her arsenal. This article will explain what sewing machine tension is, what it does, why we need to adjust it, how to find the right tension for your project, and how to troubleshoot sewing machine tension problems. Let’s get started.

After a long day of work and dreaming about the new piece you want to create, you finally get to sit down at your machine. You thread the machine, check the settings, carefully place the fabric, lower the presser foot, and carefully tap the petal. You’re left with a messy mess of threads and, well, a broken heart.

Yes, there are few things more frustrating than sitting at a sewing machine trying to solve a sewing machine tension problem. So today I want to talk about that annoying thing that every sewing machine has encountered sewing machine tension. Be sure to bookmark this article, or even print and keep a copy of your sewing machine manual, because these tips and tricks will save you a lot of headaches.

As you’ve probably experienced, sewing machine tension is one of those things we don’t really think much about until it starts to break down.

Each fabric has a different weave and a different gram mage. This means that when the materials change, the voltage will have to change. Without tension, your thread would not be able to properly pass through the machine and thus the fabric.

One of the most common sewing problems is incorrectly set thread tension, but its adjustment does not mean that you need to rush to the service center. Usually this adjustment is simple and you will need to do it often depending on the thread used (type and gauge), fabric, stitch type and needle size. It is important to have a manual at hand and a lot of patience.

HOW SEWING MACHINE TENSION ADJUSTMENT WORKS

Sewing machine tension adjustment.  The tension is determined by the top and bottom of your machine – you’ll want them to be balanced. You’ll know when you’ve done it because you won’t see any loops, folds, knots, or loose threads on the top or bottom of the fabric.

The top tension is also called thread tension and consists of two metal discs held together by a coil spring. The lower voltage is called the coil voltage and works in conjunction with the upper voltage. When you lift the presser foot, the pressure between the metal discs is automatically released and the thread is no longer tensioned and the thread passes freely through the discs without tension.

Here is a sewing machine tension chart that can help you figure out how thread tension works. Here we have 2 layers of fabric (pink and yellow) sewn together with a straight stitch of black and white thread. First, use a piece of cloth. Part of voltage adjustment is trial and error. You don’t want to train tension on your project, so use a scrap piece instead.

Second, read the owner’s manual because every machine is different. While these steps should generally work for any machine, each also has its own idiosyncrasies to consider. The coil voltage is set by the manufacturer when you get the machine, so the problem is usually the upper voltage. Let’s assume the bottom voltage is correct and the top voltage is a problem that usually occurs. How you actually set the tension on the machine will vary from brand to brand and model to model. There is usually either a button or a voltage selector. The dial (or display on digital versions) will have numbers around it. To tighten, turn clockwise towards higher numbers.

WHAT TO CHECK BEFORE ADJUSTING SEWING MACHINE TENSION

Sewing machine tension adjustment. Your machine has multiple components, so when a thread error occurs, it may not always be voltage. Before you start fiddling with your machine’s voltage, you’ll want to check a few other things.

• Dirt and debris

Your machine works with many threads and fabrics that can leave dirt and dust behind. Look around your coil to make sure there are no clogs that need to be removed.

• Fiber

As every sewing machine knows, not all thread is created equal. Cheaper thread may seem like a bargain at the store, but trust me; it’s not worth the trouble it causes! Cheap threads will lead to breakage. If you have a low-quality thread on your computer, switch it to a high-quality version and see if the problems are resolved. Also, if you have different types and sizes of thread in the needle and in the bobbin, you can have a big problem with setting the tension. It is better to use the same types and sizes in the needle and in the bobbin. Of course there are exceptions, but generally it’s a good rule to follow.

• Needles

You should replace the needle of the machine regularly. A good rule of thumb is to replace it after you’ve gone through three spools of thread or about every eight hours of sewing.

• Coil

If the bobbin is wound by hand, it is possible that it was wound unevenly. This can lead to problems with the sewing machine tension – the tension will be uneven and you may have irregular stitches. After reviewing the above, you may realize that you have a real sewing machine tension problem. Here are some steps to take when trying to adjust the machine voltage. See how tightly the threads sit on the fabric. Also notice how the top and bottom threads meet halfway. The books say that a proper straight stitch has the threads locked between two layers of fabric. This is the ideal case. And this is mostly seen on heavy weight fabrics. You will see only one thread on each side: in this case, the black needle thread on the top side and the white bobbin thread on the bottom side. Loops (where the bobbin thread wraps around the needle thread) are hidden between layers of fabric.

CONCLUSION

Sewing machine tension adjustment. Sewing machine tension problems can occur anytime you are learning to sew. It is important to learn to recognize and solve the problem. Continue reading the steps. This basic guide will teach you how to troubleshoot sewing machine tension. Once you get the hang of it, troubleshooting is a breeze.