So... it was 10:00 pm, I hadn't felt well, but I wanted to get "something" done before bed. So, I pieced some strips for a WIP baby quilt back.
I had made a 6 dowel rod thread dispenser. My new white thread was a BIG spool of guteman.
I put the thread on the dispenser & threaded it thru the machine, and got the strips almost done. about 10 seams. maintained a nice 1/4, etc. THEN I looked at the stitching. the top thread was super loose. seams not usable. All to do again.
Once before, I used the dispenser with my singer 403, and it happened then, too. I think the "pull" of the thread off the spool is part of the tension system. There is no pull off the dispenser, the thread just flows off. gah.