Why are my stitches like this?
 

I am using my avatar, a 1958 Kenmore made by Gritzner-Kayser. My top stitches look fairly good. Here's a photo.

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However my bottom stitches are a mess.
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I am sewing fairly lightweight fabric. I am using a size 11 needle. This is a new one, just put in. It replaced a brand new Organ needle, same size. That one kept breaking thread. This one does not break thread. (I am using polyester thread.) I can't figure what to do because it doesn't look like a tension problem, at least not the ones I see pictured on the web. I started with a size 12 needle, I've used 5 needles getting to this one. Same problem with all of them. Could I have a bunch of bad needles? Could it be something else?

Thanks!!

I think the bobbin tension might be too loose??? When have you last had it serviced???

Looks like your bottom tension is too loose. Adjust the screw on the bobbin casing a little at a time until it's right.

I would try a different bobbin, re inserting bobbin and/or cleaning bobbin case and area. It looks like your bobbin thread is way too loose…

Have you worked with the bobbin and upper tensions?

Charlotte

I'll definitely go and check my bobbin tension. I'll do that "yo yo" test. I thought a tension problem would be where there is a straight line of thread either on the top or bottom. That's what my manual and the web says. So tension problems cause these funny stitches too?

I don't get my machine serviced. I don't have a OSMG. I try to take care of it myself. I have the service manual but I'm a rank amateur.

OK. I checked my bottom tension and it was a little loose so I tightened it. But it had no impact on the stitch quality. Then I went ahead and changed my needle yet again. I used another brand new Organ needle. The bottom stitch quality is very much improved but I'm back to breaking threads. What the heck am I doing wrong????

(thanks.....)

Edited to add - maybe size 11 needle is too small and that's why the threads are breaking? Maybe the issues I had with the size 12's were all bad needles? I'm going to try a brand new size 12 and see how that goes. I'm just grasping for straws here. There are so many web sites to diagnose sewing machine issues but I haven't seen this specific problem.

tighten the bobbin tension a little more and use a size 14 for regular weight cotton fabrics and maybe a 16 for heavier weight fabric. I mostly use a size 14 needle.

is it possible that there is a thread caught in the bobbin tension slot?

I'll try a 14 needle momentarily and check my bobbin area again. I do keep it very very clean, I brush it out with every bobbin change. But it can't hurt to look again. Back soon. Thanks!

Well the size 14 needle took care of it. Thanks!! I thought 12 was the multi-purpose size but I guess I was wrong.

Thanks to all who contributed. Much appreciated.

I used to use size 11 for everything but suddenly had thread shedding. Switched to 14 and no problems with stitch quality or thread shedding. Glad you worked it out!

Interesting......

Love your avatar. Is that a real machine?

It is. It's a Janome sew mini. I use it for papercrafts but it's so cute I had to take a pic. lol

I wonder what size thread you are using it looks like a heavy thread that may be why a bigger needle helped

I'll look into that. You are right, that thread did seem heavier than usual but I didn't give it any thought. Thanks!!

Glad the size 14 needle helped.

Your upper tension is too loose.

FWIW...depending on where in Central NJ you are located....there is a fantastic OSMG in Bordentown, NJ. If that is near to you and you want contact info, let me know.

I would definitely rethread the top and also bobbin sometimes that is all it takes. I was under the impression that if it is the bottom stiches that look bad it is the top tension that needs tightened. I could be wrong.

I think QuiltnNan may have the answer. Tiny threads that get caught under the spring in the tension can cause havoc. Aargh, it's early morning for me and explaining anything is rough. Anyway, the idea is to gently insert a fine pin under the tension spring located in the bobbin case, sliding it to the end of te spring, gently checking for/removeing any threads or thread lint.

Somewhere on the Board is a wonderful explanation of how to check that your bobbin tension is right. Forgive me but I do not have the specific site at the tip of my tongue and today's project is an early leave time for a road trip to central FL. I'll find it when I get back if I don't see it on today's board.

Pat

The size needle hasn't much to do with the fabrics- the needle needs to be the correct size for the thread being used. Visit Superior Threads for free charts you can print that tell you what needle to use with which type/ weight threads and what the best application is.
Generally if your stitching is not good on the bottom your Top tension needs adjusting and if your top thread is breaking your Top tension might be too tight.
Clean your machine well, make sure the bobbin area is all cleaned up, oil if your machine is one you oil, rewind a bobbin, put together a small practice sandwich and see how it goes. Adjust your top tension a little ( loosen)
Sometimes the problem is the THREAD! When all else fails ( cleaned, I
oiled, new needle,( correct size for thread weight being used) , new bobbin) change the thread. It is always the last thing I try, out of frustration and 99% of the time fixes the problem.

I agree the bobbin tension is too loose. However, the needle tension could be tightened a tad also. That would balance the two tensions. I just "fiddle" around with the tensions until it gets right for me. Something my DH (who is a whiz with sewing machines) says is many times you have to work with the tension when you change to different materials, change thread or change needles.

Thanks for all the replies. There is much for me to learn.

When you wind your bobbins, keep you speed steady. Not too fast or slow. Medium speed and don't stop and go.

Thank you for saying that. That was my thought too, but wasn't sure. On my long arm, if the bottom thread is loose I tighten the top tension. I never mess with the tension on my Viking so wasn't sure it worked the same.

Bobbin tension should be loose not tight. It is your upper tension that needs adjusting.

I prefer an 11 or 12 for piecing quilting cottons. Most of the thread I have is "general purpose" and all my machines seem to do well with that combination.k

My machines are 30 to 60 years old. Don' t know about the newer machines.

I do use a "jeans/denim" needle for heavy fabrics.

This may sound dumb, but make sure your presser foot is down and your feed dogs are up. My stitches look exactly like yours when I forget to put the presser foot down.

That was my thought as well. There may me a piece of lint or a piece of thread caught under the bobbin case spring (that little flat piece that is held by the screw). I have that happen to me - and sometimes it is not obvious.

Here is a great article from Threads magazine - it may or may not be of help but worth the read!

http://www.threadsmagazine.com/item/...nsion/page/all

Thanks for all of the continued replies. Even though switching from a size 12 to a size 14 needle did the trick this time, next time it may be another issue altogether. It's good for me to have a mental list of things to check.

Website for superior threads Home reference for thread/needle chart:

https://www.superiorthreads.com/medi...ence-guide.pdf

I went to a workshop with Dawn Cameron-Dick and the following day she had a talk on threads and needles so I went and I am so glad I did, after 10 years of trial and error she explained what you just said, it's the thread you use that denotes what size needle to use not the fabric. She also had an enormous oversized needle, given to her by Schmetz, and she explained how the thread and the machine works to make a stitch, it was mind blowing as I had never thought about it before. She also showed us some blown up images of a needle after use, and if you see the picture below you will understand more why a new needle often is such a good investment. I was told to change my needle after 3 bobbin fills but as I now use Aurfil for piecing I change mine every other fill, cheap investment next to the cost of my £1200 Elna!!!!!!!!!

KenmoreGal I love your machine and thank you for posting such an interesting but frustrating topic :)

I just had tension problems myself and was so frustrated took my machine in to be looked at and the bobbin wouldn't hold the thread so he took the little screw out and low and behold there was a thread stuck in there. I couldn't believe it. Now the tension is perfect who would of thought to look under that thing?

bbeyes, I think we forget just how critical the mechanism is on our sewing machines, again going back to the workshop with Dawn Cameron-Dick I had no idea till then how tiny is the actual area that the stitches are formed, it is so tiny that it is a wonder that we even get a stitch when using cheapo linty threads. I now only use the best of threads and needles and am really meticulous in cleaning my machine, especially the bobbin area. Top tip, I found a super really small spiral brush that I use similar to the bottom one in this pic, think it came from a typewriter cleaning kit!

Check to see if you have the bobbin in winding in the right direction. Sometimes, I get in a hurry and stick mine in with the bobbin winding opposite. Hope that helps. That is so frustrating!

re thread everything clean the bobbin area and the case what size of thread are you using and maybe change your thread