I know this is the "Quilting Board" but I, too have a question on my embroidery machine (Brother) I have a tension problem. I have gone both up all the way and down all the way and it still puckers. And yes, I do use stabalizer on the bottom. What else can I try??

could be the stabilizer is not heavy enough for the design. Are you hooping both the fabric and the stabilizer? Using the hoopless method? could you be stretching the fabric as you hoop it? That could cause puckers when it's removed

Maybe a heavier stabilizer? Some projects may even require two or three layers :D:D:D

i agree with the stabilizer theory. Also are the designs you are using actually in PES format? sometimes differenf formats do not work on all machines. what kind of fabric are you using?

Maybe it is the way your hooping, I had the problem as well with puckers, and when I changed my way of hooping my puckers went away.........Rita

i hoop my backing and then spray it with adhesive then lay my fabric on top of it. it helps alot

Sometimes the fix is as simple as changing the needle to a nice new sharp one. You can guess how I found that out!

Try cleaning the bobbin area. I also have a brother and my machine will do this when the bobbin area is dirty. If all else fails, try embroidering a different design. I had this problem once, and it was just the digitizing of a particular design

Clean the bobbin area and then rethread the machine.

Three things to check....don't mess with tension.

1. Change the Needle
2. Re-thread the bobin
3. Use the right stabilizer

Make sure that the pattern you are using is not too dense for the fabric you are puttting it on. There is a program called "Density Works" that you can run your pattern through to reduce the density. Check with your Brother dealer.