I need to set my needle tension,but bought my sewing machine at a yard sale with no manual. What should my tension setting be for a VX808?

Be sure you are using a brand new needle. If that doesn't help, most likely the machine is out of time.

If you are unable to locate a manual for your machine, perhaps a manual for a different machine would be helpful. At least it describes the type of stitch and what tensions to set. (The middle tension setting on the Bernina 1150 is 4, so you can equivocate that with your machine's settings.)

BERNINA 1150MDA Support BERNINA

Once you decide what stitch you want, you will need to practice on some scrap fabric (the same as your garment) and test how it looks and adjust from there. Depends also how much you want or do not want your fabric to stretch. Too much stretch will make a wavy seam.

There are also some workbooks available that you can work through each type of stitch.

Bernina Mastery Workbooks

As for needle alignment, one needle always sets higher than the other. That is normal unless the needles are not catching the looper threads. Then the machine may have a timing issue. Take it for service.

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1. Replace thread if it is too old or poor quality.
2. Replace needles.
3. Check/set bobbin tension.
4. Check/set top tension. When you thread your machine do it with the pressure foot up. While threading apply small tugs in small ranges to check for snags. Begin to sew at about a tension of four.
5. Attached there is a document of how to set the bobbin tension.

bird nesting indicates that the needle thread tension is not tight enough
pull the thread out as if threading the needle and the tension is close when there is resistance to pulling the thread

Most machines can sew on jeans fabric, but you may need to go slowly or even hand-turn the needle when crossing thick seams to keep from bending or breaking your needle.

Bobbin: It won't matter if you use plastic or metal bobbins.

Needle: You should use a heavier needle - you can purchase 'jeans' needles, or use the heaviest sharp or universal needle you have.

Tension: For tension adjustment, you can follow the guidelines in your sewing machine manual but you'll also need to adjust the tension based on sewing on scraps of the fabric. If you are sewing light-weight denim, the settings are pretty much the default/normal settings. As you increase the weight/thickness of the fabric and seams to cross, you'll need to loosen your pressure foot tension. If you use decorative 'jeans' thread or topstitching thread, you'll need to loosen your needle tension.
*Always test on scrap fabric to make sure the stitches are forming properly. It is best to make small adjustments to your tension settings, then test, then adjust and test, until it is right. If you sew that weight of fabric often, make note of your tension settings inside your machine manual to save you some time the next time you sew.
I hope this helps.

Set the tension to the number recommended in the manual for the type of fabric you are sewing.

The manual will also indicate the needle size according to fabric. Make sure when you change needles that the flat side is toward the back of the machine.

Always thread a sewing machine with the presser foot up.

This opens the tension and lets the thread "seat" into the tension and then the thread can be properly feed to the needle according to the tension setting.

It was hardly used for a reason. Everybody here got their's at a yard sale, thrift store, etc. Hmm, wonder why? Please don't give it to your granddaughter to learn on. She will only learn to hate sewing. Get her a forty pound, fifteen-year-old kenmore that will be a lot of tolerant. The Tiny Tailor is a little piece of large frustration.

Singer Red Band, regular point style 2020, size 14 needle. Insert flat side facing right.

hi! there wind thread on bobbins winder 4 times by your hand rotate clockwise,insert in shaft bobiins winder on top of your machine near hand wheel push latch to engage loop thread on disc winder tension start your machine on pedal foot automatically winder disengage if already filled up of thead pull this winder and insert to bobbins casing insert thread to slot and pull out winder should rotate clockwise as shown.insert on shuttle hook casing and close cover needle plate.next thread your upper

threading tension as shown on red threading from spool pull threading and loop to dial tension threading and insert thread to lever needle and to needle hole tip. pull tread under the needle foot and feeder tooth.rotate hand wheel counter clockwise to hook up thread bobbibs and appear at top of needle plate,teo thread shoul appear,set dial tension to # 3 and stich to # 8 range to # 12 depend on fabric and layer of fabrics and set on straight stich sewing,let needle on upper position insert fabric for trial sewiing.put down foot needle lever. manually by hand rotate for assurance needle is free to sew if obtruction on loop bobbins thread occurs adjust all tension gradually then try again until free from sewing w/o problem star sewing.

You are sewing heavy thread in a machine designed for sewing clothing but it can be done. Use a size 18 needle or a top stitching needle(it has a larger eye). Thread the machine and adjust the tension to 8 or 9. Set the stitch length at 3 or 4. If you still get loops on the bottom, wind the thread around the bobbin winder thread guide once for more tension and then thread it normally. If you do this, lower the tension to 5, test sew and then tighten the tension until the loops go away.
sewman7

If it was sewing correctly BEFORE the needle break...why did the needle break in the first place?...and what fixes did you make?
If it sewed properly...what changed?

Cut your upper thread close to the spool...make sure the presser foot is raised and pull the cut off thread section through/out of the machine from the needle area (sewing direction...do not pull the thread backwards!)

Clean out the bobbin area...remove any traces of lint or pieces of thread...look for any broken off needle pieces... brush the bobbin area out....then add a drop of sewing machine oil (but only if your manual says to oil that area).

Remove the needle plate to expose the feed dogs...brush/clean out that area too and add a drop of sewing machine oil...then secure the needle plate back on.
Replace the needle...do it again...yup...some needles arrive bad from the factory. Make sure the needle is inserted and positioned properly. Then thread the machine WITH the presser foot in raised position. (The thread needs to get seated into the upper tensions.)
..with the.presser foot down...thread the new needle.
Oh...and use the correct needle for the thread. (a universal 80/12 is standard).
Thread can cause issues too. Try a different bobbin, or maybe a different spool of thread to see if that makes a difference.