Quilt in a Day Forums

ive been having a problem with the TOP thread when machine quilting. when i turn my work over, the TOP thread showing underneath is looped and loose, and the bottom thread lays flat... why??? is it a tension problem? to tighten the top tension do i increase or decrease the tension number? goodness knows! any ideas??? help please anyone!

It is a tension problem - it could go two ways -

first - the top tension is too loose and or the bobbin tension is too light.

Rule # 1 - only do one thing at a time -before moving anything - make notes of where it is set at - so you have a reference to go back to.

try to tighten the top tension and see if that fixes it. If it doesn't - go back to the original setting of your machine and adjust the bobbin.I use a small tipped permanent marker - Make a mark on either side of the small set screw on the bobbin case - only turn the set screw a small amount - about 1/8th of a turn - test sew - if that fixes it - good - if you feel it needs to be tightened more - then only a small turn further.

It might take both to be tightened - but pay attention where you start from so you can always go back to start all over again if necessary.

Good luck
Jana

thanks jana, i will certainly have a look at this tomorrow and play around. tension is a bug bare to me! love jacquie.x.

Before you adjust the tension, rethread the machine - both top thread and bobbin. Usually when I have a problem with thread bunching up on the underneath, it is because my top thread is improperly threaded - or caught on something! You might also try using a new needle and cleaning the bobbin area of lint.

Is your machine oiled? Also, bargain threads can cause problems. Make sure you have a good quality thread. There is a very recent post on this site about thread if that's a question. Good luck! This can be frustrating, (ask me how I know!) but you've gotten some great trouble shooting ideas here.

One thing I do is keep a list of things to try when having a problem. I have it posted on my wall for quick reference. Saves me time.

Sounds like a Tension problem to me too. I have been there and it is so frustrating. I used a sample I made and tried different tensions on my machine until I found the right one for my quilt. It takes a little time, but, well worth it and I also changed needle sizes to find the right one for my quilt, the thread and machine. Good Luck!!

These are all great tips ladies! thanks so much!! i will try all of them!
Thanks again, love Jacqui.x.

also, on my pfaff, which I have this trouble ALOT make sure you use premiu thread. Cheaper thread and my machine do not play well together. Sulky or YLI works best for me.

when mine did this i found a big gob of lint under the bobin case. cleaned it and it worked great. that is when i learned to ck that area after every couple of bobbins when i am quilting.
Barbara

If bobbin tension is too tight the upper will 'birds nest underneath and vice versa. I always adjust the bobbin first because it has less latitude. Then I adjust the upper to that. Also I don't cheap out on thread!