{"id":14282,"date":"2024-01-18T10:25:05","date_gmt":"2024-01-18T09:25:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sewingfaq.com\/?p=14282"},"modified":"2024-01-18T10:25:05","modified_gmt":"2024-01-18T09:25:05","slug":"how-to-adjust-bottom-tension-on-sewing-machine","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sewingfaq.com\/how-to-adjust-bottom-tension-on-sewing-machine\/","title":{"rendered":"How To Adjust Bottom Tension On Sewing Machine"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Troubleshooting Basics<\/h2>\n

Whether you are a beginner or expert sewer, an understanding of adjusting your machine’s bottom tension is essential. Tension adjustment is one of the most basic, but perhaps most important of troubleshooting steps for a sewing machine. Generally, for a sewing machine to perform properly, the bottom thread tension should neither be too loose nor too tight depending on the type of fabric you’re using. If the thread tension is too tight, it can cause puckering of the fabric and offensively tight stitches on the underside. If the thread tension is too loose, the stitches of the top layer will be loose or become invisible on the underside.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, it isn’t difficult to adjust the tension of your sewing machine. The bobbin is usually located on the front of the machine and to adjust the tension you will need to turn the small knob located at the front right side of the head. Each machine is different, but for most machines this knob is set to 5. If the tension is loosened, you will have to turn the knob towards the left and you will have to turn towards the right is the tension needs to be tightened.<\/p>\n

In order to check if you have the tension correctly set, you can place a white, unlined fabric under the presser foot and then sew several lines of stitches. If the thread is correctly tensioned, the bobbin stitches should merge into the layer of fabric shown on the top layer. If the bobbin stitches are looping on either side of the fabric, you should loosen the tension of the bobbin thread. However, if you see tight little square knots on the underside, then you should tighten the tension.<\/p>\n

Adjusting the Needle Adjustment Screw<\/h2>\n

Apart from adjusting the bottom tension, you can also adjust the needle adjustment screw. The needle adjustment screw is designed to correct timing problems and can be located at the right side of the machine at the base of needle. Tightening this screw will cause the needle to enter the machine earlier while loosening the screw causes the needle to enter the machine later. You should play around and experiment with the timing until you get the desired result.<\/p>\n