I finally had the opportunity to get back to making sheets for soldiers and am having nothing but trouble with my Pfaff 2040. This is not a new problem. I have had it in for service twice but it is still skipping stitches when I zig zag, which I have to do to sew down the butterfly on my sheet. I am struggling with the tension also. I have tried everything. I have experimented with top tension and it looks okay when straight stitching but when zig zagging it is still showing thread either on top or back. I adjusted the bobbin tension, which I really hate to fool with but just so frustrated. Looked good on straight stitch but zig zags are awful. I finally gave up and just sewed it the way it was. I am using gold thread on the back (the sheet is gold) and black on the outline of the butterfly because it is black. Looks awful but I just have to get some of these done or they will sit here and haunt me and I won't enjoy my other projects. I have sheets to decorate so am going to have to do something different on the rest than this one.

Here is my post http://www.quiltingboard.com/t-114757-1.htm

Would love to see what others are doing and find out how it is going for them.

When adjusting the tension on a machine, you really need to use the zigzag as your test. That is my understanding of how techs do it. Once you have the balance on the zigzag correct, the straight stitch should also be correct; you should not have to change tensions between the two (assuming you are using the same thread and same fabric). If you can't do this, the machine has a problem.

I love what u have done..... the butterfly is beautiful!!!

I've got some planned out..... just waiting to get my cast off!!

( I'm accepting new sheets for this project if anyone wants to donate--- pm me for my address)

Thank you. I tried that too, but I will try that again. Doing my best to use the same fabric (100% cotton - although not sheeting. I don't want to cut up a sheet) and same thread. Thank you for your input. In my heart of hearts, I do believe it is my machine. Maybe it is not repairable. I just hate to give it up and take it in AGAIN. This would be third time for skipped stitches and tension. Ugh!!!

Do Pfaff have a technical help dept? Might be worth giving them a call.