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Sewing Machine Tension Check

Properly adjusted thread tension on the sewing machine provides the strongest, highest quality stitch. Tension adjustment is sometimes needed when the thread or fabric used is heavier or lighter than usual. A little time spent verifying proper tension now will prevent hours of frustration later!

There are three main steps:

  1. Checking the tension by making a test seam.
  2. Checking the machine to see if there are other factors that might be causing a problem.
  3. Adjusting the tension.

Caution: tension adjustment -- especially bobbin tension -- is not for those new to sewing, please ask the service department for help the first time!

Step 1: Tension Check

To check for proper tension, use these items:

  • Scrap material of the same weight and material used in the project.
  • Different contrasting thread colors of the same weight and material by the same manufacturer in the bobbin and the needle.

Fold the scrap material in half and sew a test seam to join the two halves. Closely examine the thread, using a magnifying glass if necessary.

  • If the needle thread can be seen on the bottom, then the top tension is too loose (likely) or the bobbin tension is too tight (rarely). In quilting, this is known s "eyelashes". There may also be bunching and looping of the thread on the bottom, a more-serious problem known as "bird nesting". The main culprit for bird nesting is being in a hurry and forgetting to put the presser foot up when threading the machine.
  • If the bobbin thread can be seen on the top, then the top tension is too tight (likely) or the bobbin tension is too loose (rarely).
  • If the fabric puckers, both the needle and bobbin threads are too tight, the thread size is too big for the project, or the pressure of the foot on the fabric is set too high. Always check the weight of the thread you are using and refer to the machine manual for proper foot pressure. Note: not all machines have a pressure adjustment for pressure foot.
  • If the test seam is proper, the tension is okay and you are done! No additional checks or adjustments are needed.

Looking ahead: If the bobbin case is metal and front or side loading, use the TowaTM Bobbin Case Tension Gauge to determine the bottom tension setting is recommended. Write this number down in the sewing journal to make it easy to restore the factory tension setting in the future. For long arm quilting machines and commercial embroidery machines, this gauge is a highly useful tool.

Next step: check the machine for common problems.

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