I need help!! sewing tension
 

Long time lurker here - and I've learned so much. Now I need !!

I have a Pfaff Expression 2048. Every time I do a test sew - my tension is off and I can pull the stitchs out easily. I have rethreaded too many times to count - step by step correctly. I've changed the needle, changed the bobbin, changed the thread - still not working. Also cleaned out any lint. That noise you hear somewhere in space is my frustration.

Any ideas why this is happening? What am I missing - or does my machine need repair.

Have you tried adjusting the tension? Everything you have done so far is perfect and a great way to start. I know adjusting the tension can be scary. Start by examining what it looks like on the bottom when you try to sew. If there is a loopy mess it is usually the top tension. if the loops are on the top it could be the bottom tension. If your machine has been working up until now it may need a good cleaning check for heavy lint in your bobbin casing and other places that can collect lint. If these things don't help it could need a trip to be tuned up and a good service call.

Thank you juliasb - maybe I havn't moved the dial enough. I'll try that. The bobbin casing looks clean but whose to know what might be hiding where I can't see!

ITA with JuliaSB .... You've identified the problem as tension, but have not dealt with it!

Tension can be scary, only because we have been given that mindset that we should fear adjust it! Your top/bottom threads should meet in the middle of what you are sewing. So? identify whether the top needs to go down to the middle, or the bottom up towards the top. That will tell you what you need to adjust. Then do it! :)

Go ahead ... you can do it ... and conquer that fear!!!!:)

Before starting to change the tensions, write down (or take a picture of) the settings you are starting with.

That way one has a starting point to refer to.

I don't know about setting/changing the tensions on newer machines, but on my older Pfaffs (1471 and 1473) - the technician told me to thread it on the "second thread" path to help with tension issues because the tension discs were worn on the "first thread" path.

When you're threading the needle, is the foot up? If not, the thread make not be between the tension discs.

Some machines have safeguards built in where the foot has to be up or down (varies) in order to actually make/save some of the changes. So if you make an adjustment and nothing seems to change, try whatever you did with the opposite condition (foot up/down).

The other thing that can make a difference is the needle position, most machines will have some sort of marking on the hand dial that lets you know the correct position. It may be subtle like a screw head in the handle lining up with the center seam of the case, or more obvious with little lines and such.

The biggest help for me to remember is that where ever the problem shows, the fix is the opposite way. So if it is loops on the bottom, it is the top tension that is wrong, not the bobbin.

I've always had terrible luck adjusting bobbin casings... I usually have to end up getting a new one/paying for a service visit. Most of my issues are with top tensions.

The tension will not adjust unless you have the foot in the down position. But, if it worked before, perhaps you bent your needle and it needs to be changed.

The other thing that could be wrong is some build up of fuzz in the tension disks. Use some dental floss to run though it and see if it needed cleaning.

I looked up a manual for your machine, just so I could see what you were dealing with. Maybe there is something in here that you can help you find your problem.
http://www.pfaff.com/SiteMedia/PFAFF...N.pdf?ext=.pdf

Edited to add: Did it ever sew properly? Is this a new problem? Did you change anything before the problem occurred?

can you describe in more detail what you are experiencing? When you say the "tension is off" and " I can easily pull out the stitches."....what does it look like? Is the top thread just laying on the top of the fabric with the bottom thread looping over it so you can see both the bobbin thread and the needle thread or is the top thread being pulled down to the bottom and the bobbin thread just laying on the bottom of the project? or are both the top thread and the bobbin thread just forming loosely on the top and the bottom of the fabric so when you take the piece off and tug on the seam it easily separates? if the bobbin thread comes to the top, it is either that the bobbin is too loose...this could be indicate that tension screw on the bobbin needs to be tightened slightly or that there is a piece of lint stuck under the bobbin spring. If it is the top thread that goes to the bottom , it could mean the top tension needs tightening, the thread is not seated properly in the tension disc or there is lint stuck in there, or you have not threaded it properly. Last time I had tension problems on my Viking, I really need to deep clean the bobbin area. If all this fails...maybe a trip to the tech is what is needed.

Clean the tension area by running untaxed dental floss back and forth.

You don’t say which thread is out of tension. Is it the top or bottom.

I was taught years ago to check bobbin tension by properly insert thread in the bobbin case. Just as you would to get ready to sew. Take the thread hanging out the bobbin case and give a sharp jerk. If bobbin case falls too easy, then bobbin tension needs to be tighten. When it is right the bobbin case should slowly fall. I hope this is easy to understand.

Thank you all
 

I would like to thank all of you so much for replying - and with great detail. It's wonderful to have such a helpful quilting community.

I've tried most everything but there are some suggestions that I will check tomorrow - - enough teeth gnashing for one day!!

GoSew--if you could attach a picture showing top and bottom it would help us help you. But in meantime I would first open up the bobbin area-- it appears that your machine has a drop in bobbin. Use your manual and see how to remove the bobbin "case" and then use a brush (I use a cheap "chip" paint brush) and clean out any link--you might be surprised!. next reinsert the bobbin into the "case"--make sure you get it lined up right and have the thread coming off the bobbin correctly. then re-thread the top thread--have the presser foot UP when you do this so the thread seats in the tensioner disks. Make sure you needle is inserted correctly and all the way up. Like Sewingpup says, if the top thread just lays on top it's a bobbin tension issue- while drop-in bobbins supposily are not adjustable, they actually are, you just have to figure out where the tension screw is and sometimes it's hard/impossible to get to--which means a trip to repair shop. If it almost looks good on top (little loose) but the bobbin thread is not "locked" or a "bird's nest" its the top tension. All adjustments need to be tiny increments and do make note of where you start. If this doesn't help it might be a timing issue (did you hit a pin?, even sometimes where many seams come together can be a problem) and that means a trip to the repair shop. Hope this helps!

update
 

Quiltingshortimer -
I've tried everything but I believe you're right about the timing being off. I was sewing some bias strips for masks and when I sewed from the folded finished end to the unfinished end my machine seemed to "seize' and sew in place on the thick part until I lived the needle and moved on. I switched to starting with the "skinny" end but maybe the machine is just out of whack. My Pfaff usually sew smoothly over uneven seams.

The top stitchs look okay but the bottom looks a bit loose. I've adjusted the top tension but have never touched the bobbin case tension - fear here! To the repair shop we go!

Once again I thank all of you for giving such thoughtful and detailed answers. We're far away, we're isolating but here it feels like we're among friends.