Pfaff 7570 Tension Problem

When experiencing tension issues, especially "long eyelashes" on the back of your quilt while free motion quilting with your Pfaff 2036, there are several steps you can take to troubleshoot and improve the situation. Here are some suggestions:

1. Clean and lubricate your machine: Start by ensuring that your machine is clean and properly lubricated. Dust, lint, or debris can affect the tension and cause issues. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for cleaning and maintenance.
2. Use the right thread and needle: Ensure that you are using a suitable thread for free motion quilting. Threads designed specifically for quilting tend to work well. Additionally, choose a needle appropriate for the thread weight and fabric type you're using. A needle that is too small or too large for your project can affect tension.
3. Check the bobbin tension: While the bobbin tension is usually factory-set and doesn't require frequent adjustment, it's worth checking to ensure it's not too tight or too loose. Make sure the bobbin is wound properly and inserted correctly. If necessary, consult your machine's manual for instructions on adjusting the bobbin tension.
4. Experiment with the top thread tension: While you mentioned keeping the tension around 1-2, it's worth experimenting with slightly higher or lower tension settings to find the sweet spot. Each machine and project can have different requirements, so don't hesitate to make minor adjustments to achieve balanced tension.
5. Test with scrap fabric: Before quilting on your actual project, it's a good practice to test the tension on a scrap piece of fabric sandwiched in a similar manner. This allows you to make adjustments and fine-tune the tension without affecting your main project.
6. Check the threading path: Double-check that the top thread is threaded correctly through all the necessary guides and tension discs. If the thread is not seated properly in the tension discs, it can cause tension issues. Consult your machine's manual for the correct threading path.
7. Slow down your stitching speed: Sometimes, excessive speed can contribute to tension problems. Try reducing your stitching speed and see if it makes a difference in the tension and stitch quality.
8. Consult a professional: If you have tried the above steps and are still experiencing tension issues, it might be beneficial to consult a professional technician or your local sewing machine dealer. They can examine your machine and provide more specific guidance or perform any necessary adjustments.

Remember that achieving the perfect tension can sometimes be a trial-and-error process. Take your time to experiment, make small adjustments, and practice on scrap fabric until you're satisfied with the results.

Free motion quilting is a finicky function, much more than most other sewing. Since you are getting loops on the back of the fabric, try increasing the upper thread tension. Tension causes the top and bobbin threads to pull against each other. If the pull is not equal, the threads will be pulled to one side or the other.

If you continue to experience looping under the fabric, it could be that the top thread is not fully seated in the tension disk. Try this:

Remove the top thread completely from the machine.
Be sure to install a brand new sharp needle.
ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot and rethread from the beginning.
Retest your machine.

However, if you don't find a fix, $25 for the special bobbin holder is probably a reasonable cost if it takes care of the problem. The reviews seem to be good:

http://www.sewvacdirect.com/janome-bobbin-case-for-free-motion-quilting-fits-models-mc14000-mc6500p-mc6600p-mc11000-mc7700-mc12000-and-more/

https://thequiltshow.com/forum/domestic-sewing-machines/120-janome-mc6600p
"Yesterday I bought a new free motion quilting foot and a bobbinholder (for free motion) for my MC Janome 6600P. I have been quilting all day, and belive you me it is a greate investment!!! :lol: :lol: Its like sewing on butter :lol: :shock:

Free motion Quilting Foot: part no.: 200-442-004 (MC6600P and MC11000)

Bobbin Holder (for free quilting and hand-look quiltstitch): part no.: 200-445-007 (MC 6600P, MC11000 and MC6500)

Bet you would love to have those too if you are doing a lot of free motion! The quiltfoot you can adjust so it works perfectly on your quilt!
:lol: :D :wink: I am sooooo happy!!!!"


https://www.getasquiltingstudio.com/2012/01/free-motion-quilting-tips-ii.html

LOOPS Tension or Speed

Free Motion Quilting Tension Problems

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Every machine is different, so it really depends on your particular machine. Generally, tension for regular sewing is correct when the top and bobbin threads meet in the middle of the fabric. It's pretty much the same for FMQ, although the bobbin thread probably should not show on the top of the sandwich. . In order to do that, I have adjusted a separate bobbin case with a slightly tighter tension that I use only for FMQ. (FWIW, extra bobbin cases are usually not that expensive and it is very nice to have one on hand that is set up and ready to go at any time.) It helps to use the same color thread in the bobbin as the top so any appearance of thread on the other side will blend into the stitching.

Practice, practice, practice on scrap sandwiches before trying it on your project! Creating muscle memory is the secret to good FMQ and the only solution is lots of practice. If you can't practice stitching, then draw on whiteboards, paper, computer, whatever as long as you can practice smooth, consistent line drawing.

5 Free Motion Quilting Problems and How to Fix Them

Correcting Sewing Machine Tension for Free Motion Quilting NQC

LOOPS Tension or Speed

A #16 needle seems pretty big for FMQ. Are you also getting pin holes in the fabric? Try using a top stitch, embroidery, or metallix needle.

Eyelashing is often a result of moving the fabric too quickly. Try speeding up your sewing speed or slow down the fabric movement. The object is to get the stitch speed equal to the fabric movement--and keeping it consistent. I tend to make swirls too fast which causes eyelashing.

It could also be tension. Be sure to ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot when threading the top thread.

What causes thread eyelashes when sewing

LOOPS Tension or Speed

It could be a variety of things. Be sure you are using a brand new sharp needle (try a topstitch, embroidery, or microtex needle on woven cotton). Be sure the needle eye is large enough to accommodate the thread weight. Different needles have a different scarf (the groove that is on the back of the needle that runs up from the needle eye). A larger scarf will protect the thread and keep the thread from hanging up on the fabric when the needle is withdrawn from the fabric.

http://www.schmetzneedles.com/all-about-needles/

Also, the upper tension may be too loose if it is still showing loops under the fabric.

Another cause is the fabric being stretched too tight on the frame causing trampolining.
http://www.kimmyquilt.com/tensioning-the-quilt.htm

Frame Quilting

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1. The top loading bobbin cases have small brackets to keep them from turning or moving up or down.
2. Adjust brackets with small screwdriver. Allow enough room for thread to flow through.
3. Rotate hand wheel both directions to make sure the bobbin case doesn't move around. Also, watch the thread to see if it is flowing across the top of the bobbin case.
4. You may need to slow down movement of your "free motion". Also, make sure you are using the right pressure foot.

Make sure your are lowering the pressure foot first before you start sewing. With the free motion foot, you still have to lower the pressure foot, this allows tension to be put on the top thread and allows the foot to work properly (when the needle goes down so should the foot and when the needle comes up it should lift the foot up.)

Also make sure your tensions are in a middle setting and that you are threading the machine with the pressure foot up.

The way to insure you will not get your problem is with the foot up, you should be able to pull the thread easily right before the eye of the needle and when you put the foot down you should then feel a fair bit of tension on the top thread.

hope that helps :)
chris

Use at least a 14/90 needle and make sure the presser foot lever is down.

this is a known issue with the pfaff.....i have just bought the machine and it has thread uptake issues...thread tension issues and it comes unthreaded by itself often...leaving globs of thread on the bottom stuck in the feed dogs and under the throat plate.....then the stitches are not properly balanced because the tension gets too loose on the bobbin thread....very disappointed to find out it is a known issue with all the viking husqvarna made machines...which are pfaff, janome and viking.....sux.

Might be that you need to lower the tensions quite a bit, you'll have to juggle with top and bottom tensions though, and experiment for just this operation with the Sensormatic.