Quiltingboard Forums

Quiltingboard Forums (https://www.quiltingboard.com/)
-   Main (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/)
-   -   Getting ''perfect'' tensions (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/getting-perfect-tensions-t130484.html)

Veronica 06-15-2011 07:53 AM

Thank you, thank you, thank you, I never had sewing in school, this is all new to me. I'm going to bookmark this, I sew on an older no frills machines that I got on free-cycle.
I'm learning as I go, so this is very helpful.

thepolyparrot 06-15-2011 08:07 AM

Well, terrific! I'm really happy that y'all liked it - made my day.

Thank you! :)

Sadiemae 06-15-2011 08:30 AM


Originally Posted by thepolyparrot
Thank you - I'm glad this was helpful! :)


Originally Posted by Sadiemae
If the stitch is beautiful and looks fine, but the bobbin thread is too easy to remove what should I do? I hope that makes sense.

It sure does.

When you say that it's too easy to remove, can you start in the middle of the seam and lift the bobbin thread right up off of the fabric, or do you have to start at one end of the bobbin thread and pull it through the length of the seam,like you would do with a gathering stitch?

If it's the first, your machine is not making the proper lock stitch - I've never seen this particular "symptom" before, and I can't even guess at what's wrong with it without a lot more information.

If it's the second - the machine is making the lockstitch, but the bobbin thread isn't being held fast by the needle thread.

Either your stitch length is too long for the fabric you're working with, or your needle thread tension is too loose.

If you tighten up your needle thread tension, that should pull the bobbin thread up into the fabric and you won't be able to to remove it so easily. Hope that works for you! :)

Thanks for the reply. It is the second, but it on 2.0 stitch length and it doesn't help tightening the top. I will keep working at it.
Thanks again.

thepolyparrot 06-15-2011 08:59 AM

What kind of fabric are you sewing? If it's thin, you may need to go to a higher stitch count - 12-15 per inch is usually good for quilting cottons, but for fine muslin or batiste, I would go with a finer thread and a higher stitch count - 18-20 stitches per inch. I'm not sure how that relates to the digital stitch count on your machine.

Does this happen with all bobbin threads on all the fabrics that you work on?

Unless you are intentionally working with a low stitch count and decreased tension, (so that you can gather the seam, for instance) a bobbin thread should not pull out this easily. At 12-15 stitches per inch, you should have to use the seam ripper.

Sadiemae 06-15-2011 09:09 AM

It has just begun to have a problem. I cleaned and oiled it, and have been playing with the tension, but it hasn't helped. I use 100% cotton. I have had this machine for 5 or 6 years and thought maybe the tension had just vibrated looser, but nothing is helping. This machine is non-computer/non-digital, and 2.0 is quite small for a stitch length. I will keep trying.

donnai 06-15-2011 09:30 AM

how do I save this information. I am getting my featherweight in a few days and this will come in handy. thanks

donnai 06-15-2011 09:30 AM

how do I save this information. I am getting my featherweight in a few days and this will come in handy. thanks

romanojg 06-15-2011 10:00 AM

Thanks for this; it is all really good information. years ago I worked in a shirt factory and there were days when it rained that the atmosphere would cause the machine to act up. the next day it was good. I have very little problems with my Kenmore/Janome machine but normally when I do I do what I tell the users here at the hospital (I work in the IT dept) reboot and sometimes that means shut it off for a few minutes; have a cup of coffee and go back and it is usually good by that time.

Sadiemae 06-15-2011 12:07 PM


Originally Posted by donnai
how do I save this information. I am getting my featherweight in a few days and this will come in handy. thanks

You can bookmark it, or you can create a page in "My Pages" and save the URL.

miriam 07-12-2012 02:59 AM

Here is some more info on tensions: http://www.quiltingboard.com/vintage...s-t170748.html


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:20 PM.