Uploaded December 2020 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
#threadtension #CorrectThreadtension #setThreadtension
Let’s look closely at how to identify and correct “tension” problems, with and without touching the tension settings.
Machine Maintenance: bit.ly/3dNazkm
Sewing Machine Maintenance - How Motor Work's (Part 3)
Playlist:
1. Presser Foot: bit.ly/2AJp769
2. Machine Maintenance: bit.ly/3dNazkm
3. Art Work Deepika Padukone Portrait: bit.ly/300x5Tf
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Flower Presser Foot: amzn.to/386wrWl
Tailoring Kit Scale 1: amzn.to/3g3491A
Tailoring Kit scale 2: amzn.to/3eGq26E
TAiloring kit Scale 3: amzn.to/2BQneVN
VArdhman Thread: amzn.to/3i751Ed
Double Needle Set: amzn.to/3g7374M
All machines have basically the four tension devices shown: thread guides, tension discs, tension regulator for upper thread, and bobbin-case spring for bobbin thread. These ensure that the same amount of thread flows simultaneously from the needle and the bobbin, producing a symmetrical stitch.
Meet your tension tools
In order to form a row of stitches that looks the same on both sides of the fabric, the same amount of thread needs to flow from the spool and the bobbin simultaneously. This is accomplished by running the threads through various tension devices, including the thread guides, tension discs, and tension regulator on the machine head for the upper thread(s), and the bobbin-case spring for the bobbin thread. Some machines include a small hole in the bobbin-case finger, through which to feed the bobbin thread to increase the tension for improved stitch definition when topstitching, satin-stitching, and embroidering, without touching your tension settings.
In either case, the tension regulator is elementary: When adjusted to a higher number (turned clockwise), the discs move closer together, increasing the amount of pressure. Turned to a lower number (counterclockwise), the discs move apart, decreasing the pressure. Using a thicker thread without resetting the dial will increase the pressure and cause the upper thread flow to decrease, unless you’ve got a newer machine that makes automatic upper-tension adjustments. Since the bobbin tension is not self-adjusting, the lower tension may need to be adjusted manually to match.
Recognizing balanced tensions
When the tensions are balanced, the stitched line looks good on both sides of the fabric, as shown at the top of the illustration below, and the seam is at its strongest and most elastic. The easiest way to spot unbalanced tension is to look for visible knots or loops at the end of each stitch. When the bobbin thread shows on the right side, the needle tension is too tight or the bobbin thread, too loose, as shown at left in the illustration below. When the needle thread shows on the wrong side, the needle tension is too loose or the bobbin thread, too tight, as shown at right in the illustration below. Of course, if you’re sewing on thin or lightweight fabrics, both threads may show on both sides when the tension is balanced, simply because the fabric is so thin.
How to adjust tension
There are two types of tension adjustments, a basic adjustment for everyday sewing (this is what your repair person does when adjusting tension, but you can do it, too) and a temporary adjustment, necessary when you change thread types or sizes, fabrics, and stitching operations.
To make a basic adjustment, select contrasting colors of a thread in the brand, size, and fiber you use most frequently. Use one color to fill the bobbin, with the machine set on medium speed to reduce the risk of stretching the thread. Insert a new needle in the size you use most frequently and thread the machine, using all the thread guides on the machine head, but skip threading the eye on the bobbin-case finger if you have that feature.
Set the stitch length for 2 mm (12 stitches per inch) or for the length you expect to use most frequently. Set the upper-tension regulator at the middle of its range (on most machines, this is 4 or 5), and stitch a test seam on two layers of lightweight muslin, then examine the stitches. If necessary, use a magnifier to see the stitches clearly. If the tension isn’t perfect, fix it by adjusting the bobbin spring; tighter if the bobbin thread shows on the upper layer, and looser if the needle thread shows on the underlayer. Make another test seam, and examine the stitches, repeating until the stitch is balanced.
Bobbin-screw position
To record the bobbin tension for future reference, make note of the bobbin-screw position, including reference to thread opening or open side of bobbin case.
To make a temporary tension adjustment, select the threads for the needle and bobbin, then fill the bobbin and thread the machine. Make a test seam on the fabric that you plan to sew, examine the stitches, then see if you can find a balance using the upper-tension assembly alone.
#threadtension #CorrectThreadtension #setThreadtension
Let’s look closely at how to identify and correct “tension” problems, with and without touching the tension settings.
Machine Maintenance: bit.ly/3dNazkm
Sewing Machine Maintenance - How Motor Work's (Part 3)
Playlist:
1. Presser Foot: bit.ly/2AJp769
2. Machine Maintenance: bit.ly/3dNazkm
3. Art Work Deepika Padukone Portrait: bit.ly/300x5Tf
Must Have Products:
32 Presser Foot Pack: amzn.to/3eIKDHp
Flower Presser Foot: amzn.to/386wrWl
Tailoring Kit Scale 1: amzn.to/3g3491A
Tailoring Kit scale 2: amzn.to/3eGq26E
TAiloring kit Scale 3: amzn.to/2BQneVN
VArdhman Thread: amzn.to/3i751Ed
Double Needle Set: amzn.to/3g7374M
All machines have basically the four tension devices shown: thread guides, tension discs, tension regulator for upper thread, and bobbin-case spring for bobbin thread. These ensure that the same amount of thread flows simultaneously from the needle and the bobbin, producing a symmetrical stitch.
Meet your tension tools
In order to form a row of stitches that looks the same on both sides of the fabric, the same amount of thread needs to flow from the spool and the bobbin simultaneously. This is accomplished by running the threads through various tension devices, including the thread guides, tension discs, and tension regulator on the machine head for the upper thread(s), and the bobbin-case spring for the bobbin thread. Some machines include a small hole in the bobbin-case finger, through which to feed the bobbin thread to increase the tension for improved stitch definition when topstitching, satin-stitching, and embroidering, without touching your tension settings.
In either case, the tension regulator is elementary: When adjusted to a higher number (turned clockwise), the discs move closer together, increasing the amount of pressure. Turned to a lower number (counterclockwise), the discs move apart, decreasing the pressure. Using a thicker thread without resetting the dial will increase the pressure and cause the upper thread flow to decrease, unless you’ve got a newer machine that makes automatic upper-tension adjustments. Since the bobbin tension is not self-adjusting, the lower tension may need to be adjusted manually to match.
Recognizing balanced tensions
When the tensions are balanced, the stitched line looks good on both sides of the fabric, as shown at the top of the illustration below, and the seam is at its strongest and most elastic. The easiest way to spot unbalanced tension is to look for visible knots or loops at the end of each stitch. When the bobbin thread shows on the right side, the needle tension is too tight or the bobbin thread, too loose, as shown at left in the illustration below. When the needle thread shows on the wrong side, the needle tension is too loose or the bobbin thread, too tight, as shown at right in the illustration below. Of course, if you’re sewing on thin or lightweight fabrics, both threads may show on both sides when the tension is balanced, simply because the fabric is so thin.
How to adjust tension
There are two types of tension adjustments, a basic adjustment for everyday sewing (this is what your repair person does when adjusting tension, but you can do it, too) and a temporary adjustment, necessary when you change thread types or sizes, fabrics, and stitching operations.
To make a basic adjustment, select contrasting colors of a thread in the brand, size, and fiber you use most frequently. Use one color to fill the bobbin, with the machine set on medium speed to reduce the risk of stretching the thread. Insert a new needle in the size you use most frequently and thread the machine, using all the thread guides on the machine head, but skip threading the eye on the bobbin-case finger if you have that feature.
Set the stitch length for 2 mm (12 stitches per inch) or for the length you expect to use most frequently. Set the upper-tension regulator at the middle of its range (on most machines, this is 4 or 5), and stitch a test seam on two layers of lightweight muslin, then examine the stitches. If necessary, use a magnifier to see the stitches clearly. If the tension isn’t perfect, fix it by adjusting the bobbin spring; tighter if the bobbin thread shows on the upper layer, and looser if the needle thread shows on the underlayer. Make another test seam, and examine the stitches, repeating until the stitch is balanced.
Bobbin-screw position
To record the bobbin tension for future reference, make note of the bobbin-screw position, including reference to thread opening or open side of bobbin case.
To make a temporary tension adjustment, select the threads for the needle and bobbin, then fill the bobbin and thread the machine. Make a test seam on the fabric that you plan to sew, examine the stitches, then see if you can find a balance using the upper-tension assembly alone.
