Help my tension is all messed up.
 

Usually I can figure out the tension issues but I am stumped. I have cleaned the machine, adjusted the tension up and down and every which way. I rethreaded my bobbin. I have been sweeing a testing lines for over an hour and I have just made it worse. Help any new ideas ?

Try re-threading the top thread too!

What kind of machine do you have? And where are your loops? And, have you wound a new bobbin? Have you tried different thread/bobbin/fabric?

Can you be more specific about what tension issues you're having? Or post a picture?

If there is even the tiniest bit of thread or lint caught in the bobbin area, that will mess up your tension. It may be necessary to look at the bobbin area (without the bobbin) with a magnifying glass and good light.

Also, thread or lint caught between the upper tension discs will mess up tension. Try lifting the presser foot (opens the tension discs) and "flossing" between the tension discs with *unwaxed* dental floss or several strands of thread held between your hands like floss.

Examine the bobbin. Is it tightly wound and not over-filled? If the bobbin has been wound with insufficient tension on the thread, the winding will be loose and that also can mess up tension. Also, make sure the bobbin is exactly round. A distorted bobbin is bad for tension. Plastic bobbins are more likely to warp than metal bobbins, but metal can warp too.

The bottom thread is all bunched up. And I can't get it to be smooth. Will have to take a pic later. I just used my daughters machine to finish my pillows. Thanks for your ideas and I will let you know how it turned out.

Typically, if the thread on the bottom is messed up, then the problem is most likely with the upper threading or tension. Maybe your problem will resolve itself if you clean the upper tensioners. Another problem I had one time was that a small piece of thread was in the upper area. I didn't find out until after I paid the repairman $125 dollars. Now, I take the top off of my machine and check all the inside areas. My Brother's have screws on the back of the top cover that allow you to take part of the top off.

Good luck with fixing your problem.

Mine was messed up too. I took a bright flashlight and my magnifying glasses and propped up my machine for inspection. Well, I found a 1 inch long piece of red thread that took me a half hour to pull out with the tweezers. I couldn't believe that that little piece of thread was the cause of my headache. Rethread all, top and bobbin. Hope it works. Syl

I agree. If your bottom thread (meaning the thread on the bottom side of your fabric) is messed up, then the issue is with your top tension. Make sure it's threaded correctly and that it's not getting hung up on something in the path.

Maybe if you use a pipe cleaner and go through the motions of the top threading you will find a piece of thread or lint. Noe how would I know that??