QultingaddictUK

I say that ALL the time to my pupils, anything goes awry with their machine their hands automatically seem to go to the thread tension. Like someone has already pointed out modern machines are very good at sorting the tension out themselves. I very rarely have ever touched my tension since I first set it I don't need to, as my Mum always said "Don't touch anything which isn't broke!"

miriam

you are so right - look for other things first unless you have helpers messing with the knobs.

Sew happy

That is funny. As a child my mother would also say don't touch the tension. I'd like to dispel the fear out there for
those who don't know about tension.

My husband and I restored and collected many machines and sold most of them. I have old machines and newer computerized machines. Tension does not change because a machine has a computer in it. It is a nice feature that with most new computerized machines, the tension if changed reverts back to factory default.

Due to fabrics differing in texture and needle size usage, you really should be comfortable with changing tension.

The ideal tension on your machine stitch should have the knot sandwhiched between the top and bottomfabrics. If the knot is on the top fabric, the tension is too tight. Thus, lessen the tension. If the knot is on the bottom fabric, then the lower tension is too tight and you need to increase upper tension. It's kind of like a tug and war. If you cannot adjust the tension to suit you, then you may need to turn the bobbin screw that adjusts tension, this should only be a slight and minimal turn. Tightening that screw to the right, makes the bobbin thread tension tighter, left turn makes it looser.

Sometimes tension problems are also caused by needing to change a needle, clean lint out of the feed dogs and remove the cover plate to remove any lost small pieces of thread and lint. You may need to look closely, as very often there is a wedged in piece of lint in the feed dogs at the farther end of the feed dog.

Most of the machines I've cleaned and readjusted tension too had problems simply because of threads, lint, dust and dirt. Patience is the key to keeping a machine running perfectly. (There was a time I was afraid to do anything to a machine, and if I can do it, anyone can.)

cabbagepatchkid

I'd be happy to hear from others, on this, because I thought it was the opposite....never adjust the tension unless presser foot was up. I use the vintage machines so not sure if they differ from the newer models.

bearisgray

I can understand why teachers tell students to NOT make any adjustments.

Someone could get carried away with the adjusting and make it really difficult to get the machine back into proper adjustment.

I think it would be helpful for students to be made AWARE of what changes can be made and how to do them.

It would also make sense for students to be made aware of the need to make sure that the machine is threaded properly, that it isn't gunked up with lint, and how to lubricate it (if needed).

Basically, tell students that the Instruction Book is included for a reason - look at it! (Although they may not be available at schools)

In the same category- we were told to NOT mark up our books - I still have a hard time writing in my OWN books.

barny

Cabbage, My manual tells me to have pressure foot DOWN to adjust tension. If up, it doesn't adjust. That's all I know. I've always put the foot down because of this. Barny PS. I also have only vintage.

bearisgray

Amazing what one can learn when one reads the Instruction Book!

Althea

Great explanation about the "knot". That one little word clears up so much for me!! Up to now, I haven't been able to distinguish the difference in those charts/drawings (like what shows up on the screen of my Bernina) showing the tension is "too loose if it stitches look like this," etc. I'll take another look a charts and see if they make sense now that I have read your explanation. Thank you for your written explanation.

AnnEliz

I feel exactly the same way. Ha Ha Don't know why, just do.

AnnEliz

I write all over my books. I try to think that someday, someone will read what I wrote and it will help them out and also, (LOL) they will remember me when I'm gone.