Adjusting presser foot pressure
 

My FW's seams are kind of puckery, and I think maybe I have too much pressure on the presser foot. I really just need to play with it but I was thinking that I haven't really seen posts on adjusting presser foot pressure properly, and it's something I've never really thought much about.

What's a "good" amount of pressure, and how do you test it? Is it just guess-and-check, or is there some sort of general test that can be done to help get it right? (Of course it's going to be different for different needs, but is there a way to test it with the intended fabrics...?)

Do any of you mark your vintage machines somehow when you find the sweet spot? I have changed pressure on my big modern machine a bit, but it has a numbered dial so I can always put it right back to "normal" afterwards.

That's a really good question. I'll be watching to see what others say.
Sorry, I'm no help.
Rodney

Yes, one has to play somewhat to get it "right" especially with something that isn't numbered. I have seen some things about adjusting the pressure in some of the Singer manuals. One of the 221 pdf manuals I have just tells which direction to turn to loosen or tighten, but not much else.

The best description I have is from a "Singer Study Skills" booklet I have that I scanned. I don't know if it is legible how I have edited it but here it is. [ATTACH=CONFIG]534495[/ATTACH]

Wow. that turned out better than I thought it would.

Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.

It an art...

:DI always just test do it too, not much else to do really. If it doesn't feed correctly is when I check the pressure most of the time. If the stitches are not the length they should be for the length you have selected, usually smaller then you need to release the pressure a bit. If it is wondering all around when you are trying to get a good straight seam, then loosen or tighten it, just remember which you are doing, it can be caused by either one. Not a big problem usually, you can always change it back and try again. Yes it is an art,lol, I am an artist;):D

I have had a couple machines that needed the feed dogs height adjusted. That can also reek havoc.

I had trouble with one somewhere along the way. I ended up looking at the rough setting of it in the manual (how much I could see in the illustration).

Another suggestion. If your tension is too tight it can also cause puckered seams. Tension can be balanced(top and bottom equal) and still be too tight.

Cari

Ok, so guess-and-check it is! I had a feeling that would be the answer but figured it was worth asking!

I've played with the tension already - that was my first assumption but I could only make things worse but not better. I gave up on that in frustration (I usually am pretty good at fixing tension so I was annoyed it wasn't working) and had an "ah-hah" moment just yesterday that it's probably the presser foot pressure causing me fits. And then that led me to thinking about the bobbin tension test and wondering if there was something similar for presser foot pressure. :)

Most of the time when my machine I'm currently using is having fits, it is operator head space error . In other words, it's the carbon based unit using the machine having issues & not the machine. I do try to remember that plus a cup of tea.

Puckering is usually too much tension (upper). I had that issue with my Janome Horizon and found it to be the needle. I changed the needle, and the pucker was gone. Of course, in the meanwhile, I adjusted everything else. Loosening the upper tension seemed to help. It works now.

Been my experience that puckering can be caused by too much top or bottom tension, as well as the wrong needle.

Joe

Good thing you asked, Sewnoma, I was pondering this question last night when nothing I could do to tension seemed to help. This is another of the major parameters in mechanical sewing that hasn't changed in like a 150 years. All machines have pressure regulation, all manuals state it as a an important feature that has to be right - then you're on your own. Nothing about which problems are caused by to much or to little, on how to figure out where to start, not even how to zero out and start over. The "clockwise is more, counterclockwise is less" is almost insulting.
I got this beautiful old high arm treadle that I cleaned and massaged into action, but couldn't figure out why the pressure rod adjustment screw wouldn't thaw like the rest - it looked clean. Turned out it was bottomed out so tight I just thought it was stuck. The ca. 1890 user manual I found online says the same about pressure as they said in The 1950's and probably to this day - "get it right or else". Didn't do 125 years worth of previous owners much good.

Mechanical machines, no matter how good, cannot sense what is happening, only respond to user antics. Does anyone know how high end computerized machines are set up? Do they have sensors on feed and actual stitch length and quality? Do they have automatic pressure regulation?

It's ok if you want to be anonymous about knowing anything about electronic machines🤐
Stein

Forgot to answer Sewnomas question: Yes, I marked both upper thread- and pressure foot tension rods on that treadle. Not for a sweet spot, just to see how much to turn and maybe find my way back to where I started.
Stein

steihy ,yes, on my Husqvarna designer -1 1998 it has the adjustment in the computer you put in what you are sewing ,like cotton or light weight fabric it adjust s its self. DottieBug

Assuming thread tension is right - a presser foot way too loose can cause uneven stitches and even loops despite proper tension. Too tight and it will most often pucker - it really does a number on knits if it's too tight too!

Some OSMG told me for practice try adjusting pressure with a piece of typing paper - no needle of course... Put the paper under the foot, try to pull the paper out forward/toward you. If the paper tears there is too much pressure. If too much, loosen the pressure until the paper pulls out. Then tighten it a bit. There is a sweet spot. Then check it with fabric. I usually adjust the pressure until it just holds the fabric. Not too tight not too loose. You don't want to be able to pull out fabric but you don't want it too tight either.

I'm thinking they put a silk setting on the drop feed dog knob or buttons so you aren't supposed to have to adjust the pressure for light weight fabric.

This is about what I learned too but it seems to be opposite of the page Janey posted unless I'm reading it wrong. I use just enough pressure to hold the fabric and move it along - which seems to be what you're describing, Miriam - like thread tension - thicker threads need less tension dial turns to get the same tension as a thinner thread. The page seems to say the thicker the fabric, the heavier your pressure will be.

"The page seems to say the thicker the fabric, the heavier your pressure will be."

This is the same instruction that's in very vintage machine manual I've ever seen. It seems counter-intuitive to me. I've never really tested it out though I don't remember if I goofed with the presser foot pressure on the things I sewed with my moms machine that I really shouldn't have when I was a teenager.

Cari

For the past few years, I’ve been trying to come up with a “pain meter” to set household sewing machine presser foot pressure, by setting the presser foot down on my index finger to assess the pressure. So far, if it doesn’t hurt too danged much, I figure that I’m in the ballpark. If it hurts like the dickens, and continues to hurt after I finally get my finger out from under the danged thing, the pressure is too strong. If I can lift my finger while it’s under the presser foot, it doesn’t have enough pressure on it. If I can tap my finger while it’s under the foot, the spring is broken or missing. I use a light pressure on my machines that I mend jeans or sew embroidered patches onto garments so that I can easily over-ride the feed to place my needle where I want it. I use a heavier pressure on other types of sewing. [Caution: This method doesn’t work well with industrial machines, especially walking-foot machines, unless you want to get into the various degrees of blood-letting.]

Not very scientific, I know, but out here in rural farm country, we tend to try to figure out measurements without using too much high technology. For instance, two of the local law enforcement agencies in the area use the “finger method” to determine where a shoulder patch needs to be sewn onto a uniform. One uses three fingers width down from the seam, and the other uses two fingers. Now......the question remains.....fat fingers or skinny fingers? I’m not kidding. That’s the “official” measurement that I have to go by.

CD in Oklahoma

I should have added, that the amount of change needed to the presser bar pressure when using the “pain meter” to adjust the pressure, is the Tad System.

If it’s too much pressure, back it off a tad, if it’s too little pressure, crank it down just a tad. Other folks use the Bit System, but I prefer the Tad System.

CD in Oklahoma

Hmmmm I think I like the paper method a tad bit better than the finger smooch method... Ive had enough blue fingernails to last a life time with out trying... I've never set pressure on an industrial walking foot. I just went with what was on mine... It worked ok so I never messed with it. I've read that the heavier fabric needs more pressure - only thing I can think of is that it might have to have more pulling power in some cases...

Yeah, I've seen it too. I think it's a matter of reading comprehension - mine anyway. Technically, one does use more muscle to move a heavier object, but to pick up said object would require a somewhat less of a pinch. I was interpreting it the second way but it might be meant the first way. I suppose we could figure it out if CD's finger measurement is sensitive enough. ;) Personally, I'm not that brave. I've been bloodletted and dented enough!

I bruise rather easily so I think I'll avoid the "finger smoosh" test, LOL. My fingers sort of ache just thinking about it.

The paper test is just the kind of thing I was wondering about. I'll have to try that. I haven't taken my girl down to fiddle with her yet, she's still in her "pucker-up" setting. I had a very lazy weekend. :)

Some times I am amazed how tight people put the pressure - must not be going by rule of finger or thumb depending what you need to have smoothed.

It is a common problem to cause ourselves more tension and pressure than strictly necessary. ;) I always try to remember "Just enough is lots."

Tension tamer tea?

I asked my daughter once how bad her tension was, she said it was an elevension

I'm one of those people who don't worry until I have to. Also a major procrastinator but I work better with a deadline in front of me. I'm the only one in my family over the age of 40 who doesn't have high blood pressure.

Cari

Very cute.....

*groan!* (obligatory reaction to any pun)

Cari - I wish I could be less of a worry-wart. I fret about things that will likely never happen, and worry myself silly over inconsequential things. Shockingly I DON'T have high blood pressure, but I sure feel like I ought to, with all the worrying I do!

If worrying were a job, I'd be a world-class professional by now. LOL!

Yeah. It’s kind of like the difference between using a volt meter or your tongue to check a 9V battery. Either way will work.

Ov cwouse, I wooden wecomend ussing yor twong to swet yor pwesser baa pwessue at augh.

CD in Oklahoma

How I wish I had stock in that tea! With what I drink of it, I'd be a comfortable gal indeed!

As I'm getting older, I'm getting better at the "don't go borrowing trouble" thing and not worrying about things until they come to pass. I used to work well under pressure - you sort of have to in IT or you burn out fast. I think that's what I finally did though - I burned out and just couldn't "take it" any more. Of course the 12am phone calls about computers being broken were a definite contributor. Now, it's ready when it's ready and it's serviced when it's serviced (within reason of course) and I don't get a lot of panic calls anymore. :) I'm 41 next month and my blood pressure is in range when I go to the doctor (in fact it's finally normal. I've been low most of my life) but I bet there are days it's high thanks to the stress of the day.

My blood pressure only goes up when I get a call from my youngest (32).lol No kidding weird.

Oh, yes, of all my kids, #2 has given me temporary high blood pressure more than once! I love my son dearly but I've said more than once if I had it to do over again I'd have all girls!

Cari

as the father of three Girls, I would say you might regret that.....

Yeah, I found the girls are OK til the hormone age hits, then look out!! I'd take a boy first any day. ;)

As an aside, holy COW did this thread go off topic. :D

It seems to me that most of the "trouble shooting" tips that I have seen in various manuals and on the web seem to indicate that the "puckering" is a tension related issue.
It also seems like one of the sewing manuals for the "pop-up" pressure knobs seemed to give the opposite of what Singer says for thick vs thin fabric. (I can't find it now.)
When I was working on the most recent FW, I found something about setting the knob with only two screw threads showing. (I can't find that either.) I haven't done much sewing with it but seemed to work ok to test. At least it is a starting spot.

Actually that should be "Singer Sewing Skills"

As Miriam mentioned there are machines that have a silk setting for the feed dogs which make less pressure on the fabric I'm not sure how to word what I'm thinking. I'm wondering if that would make the seam ease differently. I know I have seen tips about how if you need to ease seams - that the longer should be on the bottom. Would the silk setting mean that if you needed to ease some fabric seams that the longer should be on top?

Regarding the feed dog settings for finer and coarser fabrics; I have thought about them like an additional way to adjust pressure on the fabric, between feed dogs and presser foot. Especially the Japanese machines have this feature, and it's like a quick way to ajust presser foot tension, you have three preset options in a knob. The feed dogs move a bit lower for silk and rise a bit higher for heavier fabrics. I can sew silk chiffon and jersey pretty well on my model 99, it doesn't have any extra feature like this, it's as simple and basic as it gets. Does anyone get any use of this feature?

It might pay to take a look at the feed dogs. Have they been compromised? How about the pressure foot?
I don't know about that two screw threads showing. Things vary way much for that.