Tension
At some point, your machine will have issues with tension. In the world of sewing,
tension refers to the pressure that’s put on the thread coming from the top. The
thread tension dial on the front of a sewing machine is used to adjust the tension.
Different fabrics and stitches require different amounts of tension. If your stitching
looks uneven or inconsistent, you may have an issue with your tension setting.
This shows balanced thread
pulling from both the top thread
and the bobbin thread; it’s the
ideal tension.
In this image, the top thread
is too loose. It is pulled all the
way through by the bobbin. You
would see the thread on the
underside of the fabric.
Here, the top thread is too tight.
The bobbin thread is pulled up
to the top. You would see the
bobbin thread on the topside of
the fabric.
39Chapter 3: Stitching Basics
Correct tension.
Incorrect tension; the
top thread is too loose.
My best advice as it relates to tension issues is to take out both the bobbin and the top thread and
rethread the whole thing, being sure to guide the thread through the guides and take-up lever. Check
to see if your bobbin is wound tight and smooth; sometimes they can get tangled on the spool. You
can also check the bobbin area for lint buildup and remove it if necessary. Finally, you can replace the
needle—even a new needle could be faulty.
Incorrect tension; the
top thread is too tight.
ffCH3_Sewing.indd 39 5/23/13 3:36 PM
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