Sewing Machine Tensions Part 4

How do you adjust the bobbin tension?



How do you Sewing Adjust Bobbin Tension?


Tensions can be a common cause of problems. In extreme cases this may require the assistance of a professional sewing machine repair technician. It may be helpful to take a sewing machine repair course or maybe even several sewing machine repair courses to master tensions adjustments.



Understanding how tensions work is essential for every sewing machine user. Sewing Adjust Bobbin Tension affects every stitch.



Some users dread dealing with tensions all together and just pray the stitch will look OK. Adjusting tensions, however, is easier than you might think.


As we have seen, tension is the amount of drag or resistance on the thread as it moves through the sewing machine. The tension on top and on bottom should balance properly. Perfect tensions will produce threads joined in the middle of the fabric with no excess thread on top or the bottom of the fabric.



There are two critical adjustments required to achieve this perfect tensions. First, is the bobbin tension. Second, is the upper thread tension.


Lets take a look at the Bobbin Tension System.


Antique sewing machines often used shuttles mounted underneath the machine. While there are a variety of different designs, the essentials are the same. Today, Bobbin Tension may involve top loading bobbins, front loading bobbins, or even side loading bobbins.



Thread is wound on a bobbin The bobbin is placed into a case or holder. (For more information on bobbin tension with shuttles check out Antique Sewing Machine Repair). The thread in the bobbin is drawn through a tension device or spring and up to the top of the sewing platform.


Important for Sewing Adjust Bobbin Tension.

1. Be sure you have the right bobbin. This is vital for Sewing Adjust Bobbin Tension.

2. Be sure the bobbin thread is properly wound with no loops or loose threads and not too tight either. The thread should be smoothly wound around the bobbin.

3. Be sure to place the bobbin in the bobbin carrier exactly the way your sewing machine manual says. Follow your instruction manual for Sewing Adjust Bobbin Tension. The bobbin thread usually moves from left to right or clockwise around the bobbin as it turns. However, there are models that are exactly the reverse. The key is to observe how the thread enters the bobbin carrier tension assembly. The thread should trail back under the tension so that it does not slip out during use.

4. Thread through the lower tension. Usually, this means the bobbin thread will peal back through the bobbin tension rather than follow along or just flop in the wind. Notice the piece of metal on top right of the carrier. A small metal spring usually built into the bobbin carrier applies pressure or resistance to the bobbin thread. This is the bobbin tension spring. A tiny screw holds the tension spring in place. Turning this screw to the right will tighten the lower tension. Turning it to the left will loosen the bobbin tension. (“Righty Tighty, Lefty Loosey”).

5. Some bobbin carriers are built into the machine or fasten in place to receive the bobbin. Other bobbin carriers are made as bobbin cases which detach from the machine to receive the bobbin and then are reinserted after loading the bobbin.

Test the tension of removable bobbin carriers by doing the following.

Pull off about six inches of bobbin thread through the tension.

Dangle the bobbin carrier with the bobbin in it while holding the thread above it. The lower tension should hold the carrier so that it does not drop. If it does, just turn the screw a quarter turn to the right. If it does not drop, try bouncing the carrier a little. If the tension is properly set, the carrier will drop a little and stop. If it does drop a couple of inches and stops, all is good.

If the carrier does not drop at all even after pretty good bounce, the tension is too tight. Turn the screw a quarter turn to the left. Try again.

Many machines have a drop in bobbin that fits into a bobbin carrier below the needle plate. Once the bobbin is placed in the carrier, the thread is drawn under a tension spring. The same gentle pull test used in the front loading bobbin can be used with the drop in bobbin, but it is a bit less precise. If you continue to experience difficulties with the bobbin tension, it may be adjusted by turning the small tension screw on the spring of the bobbin carrier.

You may also seek the expert assistance of your local sewing machine repair technician if needed. You may also consider a number of sewing machine repair courses. A special spring loaded gauge may be used to measure the actual tension on the string, but in most cases it is not required.

Double check to identify any worn parts that might snag the thread. If you find a rough spot, burr, or other such spot, correct the problem before bringing the thread up through the needle plate hole and preparing to sew.