Sewing Machine Tension Problems

Tension problems with your sewing machine can simply ruin a good day of sewing!  What frustration it is, when you finally can get at those sewing or alteration projects, only to have breaking thread, knotting thread, needles breaking, etc.  In most cases, according to Reuben Doyle, author of Sewing Machine Repair as a Home Business and Sewing Machine Repair for the Home Sewer, you will not have to adjust your lower tension - the upper tension is the main cause of problems.

The above figure shows what the tension SHOULD look like if the tension is correct.


If the upper tension is too tight, the stitch line will look like Figure 7B.

As you change to sewing on different weight materials, test sew on a piece of scrap material of the same weight before beginning the actual sewing or alteration project so that you can adjust your upper tension to that particular material.  As an example, if you're changing from a denim type fabric to a silky type material, you would definitely want to make sure the tension is correct and the stitching looks right before you start to sew on the garment.

To determine whether the upper tension is too tight or too lose for the fabric you're wanting to use, try the following test:


Take a small scrap of the fabric, fold it, and stitch a line on the bias of the fabric, using different colors of thread in the bobbin and on top.  Grasp the bias line of stitching between the thumb and index finger.  Space the hands about 3 inches apart and pull with an even, quick force until one thread breaks.  If the broken thread is the color of the thread in the needle, it means that the upper tension is too tight.  If the broken thread is the color of the bobbin thread, the upper tension is too loose.  If both threads break together or take more force to break, it means that the tensions are balanced.

It is well worth the extra couple of minutes to test the tension and make any changes before moving from one sewing job to another.  You will get more work done in the long run, AND the sewing will be done with so much less frustration.

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