What’s more, Helen has a fun, relaxed manner and is very good at dealing with a range of confidence levels. I can't wait until next month's Sew club! Sometimes there is more than one screw on the bobbin case, and that’s why it’s important to consult your manual to make sure you’re turning the correct screw. The warm atmosphere made it very relaxing and you had time for each one of us. I would love a place in your sewing club if there is one available. My daughter didn't receive any info on her course and I know that at times she forgot, things and it was hard to get the teachers attention, as the class was so big. Lucy at 'High Living Barnet', " I loved your course - it was very well organized. You know you are in safe hands when you are in her company!. If a needle and thread appropriate for the fabric are not being used, the thread tension will not be adjusted correctly, causing wrinkles in the fabric or skipped stitches. Bobbin winder thread guide: These types of thread guides are used during bobbin winding. X, I can't think of anything that would have improved the sessions, other than it would be nice to have had a half time break but time didn't always allow. This usually gets tweeked back to perfection when you get your machine serviced, and is unlikely to be the issue. It was surprisingly satisfying and you’re left with a great sense of achievement. If the stitches you are sewing with your sewing machine are too loose or too tight, your tension can be faulty. © 2020 DIY Danielle® | Trellis Framework by Mediavine. This demonstrates the problem with tension being too high. What’s more, Helen has a fun, relaxed manner and is very good at dealing with a range of confidence levels. noun An attachment to a sewing-machine for regulating the strain of the thread. The technique you used made it easier for me to understand everything. There is a way to adjust the bobbin tension too, but only if absolutely necessary! Thread tension dial: A thread tension dial is used to control the tension on the top thread. If you close your fist loosely around the bobbin and pull the thread, it comes out easily. Just one gentle tug can remove the whole piece of bobbin thread. If so, your top tension is too low and/or your bobbin tension is too high. The tension regulator is elementary: when adjusted to a higher number (turned clockwise), the discs move closer together, increasing the pressure. This perfectly balanced stitch is what you should try to achieve with all of your sewing projects. Borrowing my mother’s sewing machine, I always felt I would lose control, but thanks to Helen Mackenzie and Sew School I’ve been able to finesse these skills and even now have a machine of my own. As you can see on the bottom, there’s NOTHING holding those stitches in place… this allows me to pull the brown thread out with absolutely zero effort. You can also tag me on Instagram @doityourselfdanielle; I love seeing everything you make! The first lesson for me was a little slow for me but it was good to practice and also realise that the way the bobbin went into the machine did in fact matter! Turned to a lower number (counterclockwise), the discs move apart, decreasing pressure. This post was written for DIYDanielle by Becky McGill-Wilkinson. But if you’re like most people, you’ll have to adjust the tension on your sewing machine at some point, especially as you branch out into different kinds of fabric. It was surprisingly satisfying and you’re left with a great sense of achievement. If so, your tension is too high. Every machine has a tension dial, and behind that dial are metal discs. You never rushed us. If the threads are identical and you are sewing on a single layer of fabric, both sides have equal strength and the result will be a draw. Higher numbers on the dial or knob mean higher tension. Needles, threads, and fabrics…  A needle that’s too large or small for the thread can effect the stitch because the size of the hole adds to, or reduces the total top tension. Since finishing the course I have made gifts for friends and a basic costume for my children." Usually, you can (and should) fix this problem by adjusting the top tension higher. Here is a photo of the back of the fabric. Changing the tension on your bobbin should be a move of last resort. It can sometimes be hard to tell if you’re seeing the bobbin thread on top or vice versa, so you can start with using different color thread in your bobbin, and ideally both threads should be different from your fabric color so it’s easy to see. Once your bobbin case is out and you’ve identified the correct screw, make a note of how the screw is positioned to start. So, any major problem should be fixed by going through the checklist above, but to get a perfect stitch, you may still need to adjust the top thread tension using the Tension Regulator. Sometimes you can compact the fabric enough with a sewing hammer tapped along the seamline, but sometimes the only way you can sew stuff that's really thick is to find another machine. it has given me the confidence to finally try the patterns In my many sewing books. Grandma’s machine is a mid-80’s Taiwan made Necchi and it is in pristine condition and as expected it was dry and needed oiling. Rethread your machine and try again before adjusting the tension. Sewing machine tension adjustment is controlled by devices that separately control the needle thread and the bobbin thread, putting varying amounts of tension (or strength) on the threads they control to form a strong, balanced stitch. Your sewing machine has a knob or a dial for adjusting the tension of the top thread. The most prominent of these is the tension regulator. Please share and pin this post! Make sure you adjust your bobbin case tension just a little at a time. I found the course very informative. What is sewing machine tension and why does it matter? Helens teaching style is relaxed and she manages to share a huge amount of knowledge and skills without it being overwhelming. So I'm either chasing them or my next project. I was a very nervous sewer before I did the 'Sew Basic' course, and was also finding it difficult using my old sewing machine, which was rather temperamental! Learn about sewing machine tension, how it impacts your sewing, and how to fix problems with tension. As I said above, you may need to remove your needle plate to remove the bobbin case, and you can learn how to do that through your manual, too. Thanks Helen, " The basic course was exactly what id been looking for - it taught me the basics and how to build onto each new skill learnt, using practical examples to show how something is created using the various steps which i found really encouraging as i was able to put my new skills into practice after only a few lessons. I never felt bored or lost. I really feel that this is the beginning of my sewing career!!! from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English. Again, it is important to turn the screw a tiny bit at a time as even a tiny turn makes a difference to the tension. The tension dial is this beautiful and tortuous device that allows us to control the tension of the needle thread. If your stitches are not like this, then you will need to find out why and correct the issue. You can put a small mark on your bobbin case with a marker or chalk, or take a photo with your phone. -Kristy, "I really enjoyed the Sew basic course. Costway Sewing Machine Portable Multifunctional Sewing Machine with 16 Built-in Stitch Adjustable 2-Speed Automatic Thread Rewind Sewing Machine with Light and Bonus Accessories 3.3 out of 5 stars 34 $69.99 $ 69 . SEW CLUB EXTRA . I thoroughly enjoyed it and it was great to put the skills I had learnt previously with you into practice knowing you were there to help - it also means you do actually sit down and do something productive with your skills instead of forgetting them. Some sewing machine manufacturers make it especially difficult to adjust the tension on your bobbin case by requiring you to take the needle plate of your machine off completely to adjust the tension. The perfect ‘thread tension’ will lead to lovely, flat and even stitches that look the same on both sides of the fabric. Sewing machine tension, or stitch tension, is the pressure on the threads as they pass through the sewing machine. This post contains affiliate links which may earn me commissions should you click through them and take certain actions. How to Adjust Thread Tension. Start by resetting your tension settings to where they were when you started and rethread your machine. My hands and mind can't be still; neither can my kids. At this level of thickness that little bit of tension may not make a huge difference, but it will help prevent your thread from snarling when you're sewing. Tension Disks Disks that the upper thread is placed between that regulate thread tension. Let's see how to properly thread on this industrial sewing machine. How to thread an industrial sewing machine. It has given me more confidence when trying to sew/mend items at home. You were always on hand and you made, things very clear. If you barely press your hands together, the string is easy to pull. I like to work smarter, not harder. Your bobbin also has tension. Sewing machine tension Probably the most common sewing problem is getting correct sewing machine tension. You have to lower your presser foot in order to engage the tension discs. A setting of 5 was better. Click here to get supplies: http://bit.ly/machinemaintenanceRob demonstrates how to check for tension problems in your home sewing machine. If you’ve exhausted all of the tips here, you may have a different sort of problem. There are two threads that form every stitch: the top thread, which goes through the needle, and the bottom thread, which is from the bobbin. The sweet spot is from 2 to 6. This step by step guide is here for you to continue your creative journey without any trouble Sandra, " I loved your course - it was very well organized. If you’re sure your machine is threaded correctly, that your bobbin is wound and threaded correctly, and you’ve adjusted your top tension, but you’re still having problems with your tension, start by consulting your sewing machine manual or the manufacturer’s website for instructions on how to adjust the bobbin tension. Make sure you’re using the correct needle for your fabric. Thread Tensioner of Your Sewing Machine. You can test this by putting a full bobbin in the palm of your hand. I never felt bored or lost. She is patient, happy to repeat things and demonstrate personally and Helen’s useful reference booklet is well laid out and clearly worded and includes a comprehensive list of recommended suppliers. The rest of the course was good and the notes have been an excellent reference source. SEW PATTERNS, Is the thread on the bobbin flat, and evenly wound? Meet your tension tools The small classes you take are exactly what It also proved to be a good giggle each week, as the ladies in our group were lovely! As you might guess, when you flip the fabric back over to see the white thread, the white thread easily comes up with a second gentle tug. My confidence grew hugely and things that had once looked impossible became completely "do-able"! I think it's great that we only have small classes, as it means we get a lot of individual attention. It was also helpful to have a little time to talk to the others in the class. 99 This is because whenever your sewing machine’s tension isn’t right, it’s going to lead to uneven sewing as well as result in problems like a loose stitch here and there. All sewing machines have a series of ‘tension devices’ to ensure that the top thread and bobbin thread have the tension they need to produce flat and even stitches. Can you see the loops of the bobbin thread showing through on the top side of your fabric? Normally power switch is located on the right side of the machine. - Bunmi, Thank you very much for your help. Many newer sewing machines have the disks hidden inside the machine casing. Adjust your tension either up or down a notch or two, and try some more stitches on your scrap fabric. I think your teaching is excellent, the way you explained "how and why" and providing the booklet to refer back to. Posted on Last updated: October 31, 2019 Categories Sewing, Home » Understanding Sewing Machine Tension. Thank you. things and it was hard to get the teachers attention, as the class was so big. If that’s the case, the good news is there’s an easy fix. Can you see loops of the top thread on the underside of your fabric? and is a good to refer back to. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. She is patient, happy to repeat things and demonstrate personally and Helen’s useful reference booklet is well laid out and clearly worded and includes a comprehensive list of recommended suppliers. - Jane, I cannot recommend Helen and Sew School highly enough. Re-wind your bobbin and put it back in, making sure it’s loaded correctly. Ideally, you should test your stitches on a piece of scrap fabric that’s the same as the fabric you’re using for your project. On older machines there are only two tension discs, controlled by a screw or knob. Thread your sewing machine. This is a blog for people who like to solve problems with their creativity. Sewing machine tension is how tight the threads are pulled as you sew. First of all, to know which way to turn the tension regulator dial, you first need to inspect a sample of stitching on the default tension setting (number 4). You can look in your manual if you’re not sure where it is, but it usually has numbers on it, and older machines may have a small spring between the knob and the body of the machine. When you thread your top thread, you pull the thread between two mostly-flat metal pieces call tension discs. Helen herself is so kind, caring, ever patient and encouraging, has a great sense of humour, and she is SO knowledgeable. things very clear. The 4 is in the middle and the 0 is at the bottom. If you get the basics right, who knows what you might go on to achieve! Those lucky sewists among us can buy a sewing machine, take it out of the box, and sew to their hearts’ content without having to adjust any of the knobs and buttons on their machine. Below are a few photos comparing three different tensions on the same piece of woven cotton fabric. 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