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Sewing Machine Tension Adjustment
Before making any adjustments, complete Step 1 (tension check) and Step 2 (overall check). Doing those two steps first will save hours of grief and frustration.
Careful! Tension adjustment is not intended for new sewers. Please ask for assistance from an experienced sewer or the service department of your sewing machine store.
Step 3: Tension Adjustment
Part A: Bobbin Tension Adjustment (If Needed)
Bobbin tension adjustment is seldom necessary. Skip ahead to the Top Tension Adjustment step (below) if bobbin tension was okay during the tension check and the overall check.
Examine the bobbin case to determine if it is a horizontal bobbin case or a front or side loading metal bobbin case. Use appropriate tension adjustment for your bobbin case.
Horizontal Bobbin Case Tension Adjustment
Before beginning, move the top tension control to the middle position. This is usually a value of 3 to 5, please check your machine manual for the proper setting.
Remove the needle plate and then the bobbin case. Adjust the tension a small amount using tiny steps as small as the movement of a second hand on a stopwatch. Reinstall the bobbin case and the needle plate. Sew another test seam. Repeat until the test seam is proper.
Once the test seam is correct, you are done. There is no need to adjust the top tension adjustment. Hooray! Double-check your thread colors to ensure they are correct for your project.
If the test seam is never correct, contact the service department at your sewing machine store for assistance.
Front or Side Loading Metal Bobbin Case Tension Adjustment
If you have a TowaTM Bobbin Case Tension Gauge, use Method 1. Otherwise, use the Drop Test in Method 2.
Method 1: For metal front or side loading bobbin cases, use the TowaTM Bobbin Case Tension Gauge to adjust the bobbin tension back to the factory setting using the value recorded in your sewing journal. Sew another test seam. If there are no problems, no more adjustment is needed because the top tension is also correct. You are done! Hooray! If the thread color was changed for this check, be sure to change it back. Otherwise, skip ahead to the Top Tension Adjustment section.
Method 2: To adjust bobbin tension, refer to the machine manual first. Adjust bobbin tension by turning the screw on the bobbin case in tiny steps as small as the movement of a second hand on a stopwatch. Right is Tight, Left is Loose. If there are two screws, adjust the one closest to the center of the spring.
After making a change, check it again using the Drop Test found in Step 2. Once the adjustment is complete, reinstall the bobbin and case in the machine and sew another test seam. If there are no problems, no more adjustment is needed because the top tension is also correct. You are done! Hooray! If the thread color was changed for this check, be sure to change it back. Otherwise, continue to the next step to adjust the Top Tension.
Part B: Top Tension Adjustment
This is the most common tension adjustment. Refer to the machine manual for information on this adjustment.
Adjust the tension control a half-step and sew a test seam. If there are no problems, you are done! Otherwise, keep adjusting the control and sewing test seams.
When done, make sure the thread is correct for your project before you continue.
Service
Sometimes there are other issues preventing proper operation of the sewing machine.
If the tension cannot be properly adjusted, there may be a machine timing issue or other problem that can be addressed in the service department. When bringing the machine in for service, be sure to bring along the machine manual and the test seams.
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