You have a mechanical machine (verses a computer sewing machine) Did you know when you change the tension, you have to have your presser foot down? I learned this interesting fact from a sewing machine repair man. He treated me like I was a dope, but honestly, I never heard of this before, and when I mention it to others they never heard of this before. So, you may have a really strange setting for your top tension. Once you get it to the right tension, you should be able to lift your pressure foot, and rotate your tension to the correct number. You may just want to try changing the number after you finish your project!