Need help with embroidery tension..please!
 

Hello Y'all! Happy Mother's Day! I am spending working on the learning curve on my new embroidery machine. I have adjusted the upper thread tension some as it was set on 00 to start with. I have adjusted the bobbin tension some too! My first try doing a "letter" only, all I could see was the white bobbin thread and only an itty bitty of the top thread. :( Here are a couple of samples of intials I have done after adjustments. Still don't think it is quite right but don't really know what it suppose to look like. So that is why I am posting these here for all your expert advise. Please look at the pictures and help me know if I need to continue with adjustments and which way to go .

thanks y'all

The back actually is supposed to show top thread and bobbin thread but bobbin thread is not to show on top. Are you using 60 wt. bobbin thread? Poly thread or rayon? Topstitch needle? What kind of stabilizer? The first picture looks like it could be a digitizing problem.

Actually I am using the spool of bobbin thread that came with the machine, spool of 100% polyester not sure of the weight, and a 75/14 needle that came with the machine. [ATTACH=CONFIG]413064[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]413065[/ATTACH]

I rarely change the tension - my machine takes care of it for me.

the bobbin thread you show is a 90wt--(#90) on the end you show. if you are having bobbin thread show on the top you need to loosen the top a little bit (the top is pulling the bobbin thread up to the top) make very small adjustments (like a 1/8-1/4 turn) and try again. with embroideries it is normal for top thread to show on the bottom .... visit a thread company (like Superior Threads, Atlanta Thread Company or Thread Art) for information on what size / type needle to use with the different thread weights/types. the thread on the left in your picture does not have the weight on that end- you need to look at the other end to see what size thread it is.

I use the same brand of embroidery thread. The one on the left is 40 Wt. it is what my shop sells

You should see a bit of the top thread on the back. I use 40 wt on the top, and prefilled bobbins that are 90 wt. My instructor told me that the top thread should show about 30 to 40% on the back, so you are getting close.

To save on the stress I always use the same thread on top & in the bobbin.

I think you are pretty close ... I would call it a wrap in my opinion. PaperPrincess is correct - you should see about 30% top thread on the back. Needle size, fabric weight and stabilizer weight will all influence the results - but I think you are where you need to be with what adjustments you have made.

Is this also the machine that you piece on?? I f so, I might recommend that you purchase a second bobbin case - one that you play with for embroidery and one that is dedicated to straight stitch. That way when you go to piece you will not have to try to reset the bobbin so that your straight stitches are correct (the tensions may be different between the embroidery and straight stitch for your machine). I did that and scratched an "x" on the side of one so that I can easily identify which case I am using.

I use the same thread in my bobbin as my top thread. It just always works better and I've even tried the Bottom Line bobbin thread and it that wasn't as good as using the same. You can also try a different font from a different maker to see if its the way it was made or not; could be the design.

Thanks Y'all for the comments! This is my new PE780D so it is embroidery only. I felt like it was close to being correct tension, but I really didn't have any idea on just how much top thread was to show on back. Anyone care to share what they have their top tension set on? My was on 00 to start with then I bumped it up to +3 that is once I found where to make that adjustment! boy do I have a learning curve with this touch screen figuring out where everything is! hopefully my new thread I ordered will be here today/tomorrow and I can play with more colors in a design and hopefully that will give me a better idea on tension. OH.... I was using Pellon Medium weight embroidery stablizer on a roll. SOOOO..... any suggestions on what stabilizer I shoud be trying is greatly appreciated. I will doing more work on quilts and purses I make. Not so much towels and such until I get way more comfortable using this machine.

Embroidery library has a lot of really good tutorials for embroidering on anything.

I think you might be hooping the fabric and stabilizer too tight, it looks like you are using a tear away stabilizer and the stitches are tearing the design away from the stabilizer. You might try a cutaway stabilizer while you are adjusting your tensions. Your design does look like it is poorly digitized, a lot of machines have a built in design to use for tension adjustments. The design will look like a wide line, or maybe several wide lines. Maybe your machine doesn't have it. The book should have a section on tensions with photos on how it should look.

I never mess with the tension on my embroidery machine (as someone else mentioned it adjusts itself).
If I have problems, it is with the design, the thread/combo or maybe the needle. If you are using a larger thread, then you need a larger eyed needle.

Do you not have a manual with guide lines on the tension. Most have a normal range and then you adjust them if needed. Not always needed though. I would try different designs to see if it is the design or the tension, if you keep adjusting it you may really have problems. My machine automatically sets itself so my designs look the same on the top and the bottom. Try making your bobbin and top thread the same, using an embroidery needle and then see if the manual has a starting point for normal tension and go from there. Good luck

I have had great luck with Superior Magnifico.. Great fill. The only problem for me is that it doesnt come on mini cones so its hard to have many colors. But I bought the ones I will use the most. My next thread of choice is Isacord. These are both 40 wt. the bobbin thread needs to be thinner than the top. I use 60 wt. Bottom Line works good for my bobbins.