Elna expressive 860. how do you change the spool tension? (my top thread started looking loose on my embroidery

Loop and nesting on wrong (bottom) side is usually low or zero tension of top thread. Can also be uneven feed of top thread. If unsure whether top or bottom thread try a different color top thread.

With a horizontal spool, be sure the spool cap is larger than the spool and that the thread unspools falling forward over the top of spool and not towards the rear (see user manual).

Test top thread tension... with foot up set tension to 4 and make a long steady pull. Then lower foot and make another long steady pull. Note difference in zero tension (foot up) and tension setting 4 (foot down). If no difference then make sure there's no debris or thread stuck in tension discs.

You can make a long steady pull of bottom thread and it should have a tension similar to the top thread with tension select at 4.

Comment here for further assistance.

Likely uneven feed (top thread snagging on spool). This machine has a horizontal spool so be sure the the spool cap is larger than the spool and double check with the manual on which way the thread is supposed to come off the spool... I believe it should fall forward, so if not then flip the spool.


Could also be top tension is extremely high.


Or possibly the bobbin thread has no tension... be sure to hold the bobbin spool with right index finger while you guide bobbin thread into slit. You should feel the bobbin thread slide underneath the bobbin case tension spring. See machine instructions.

I suspect the bobbin thread has escaped its tension spring. If you give the bobbin thread a quick short tug and the bobbin spool spins then likely the thread is not behind the tension spring. This usually causes hook jam but not always.



First be sure you have threaded per machine instructions... see below.



Next turn handwheel and position needle at the high point of stroke (always when loading bobbin). Remove and re-insert bobbin. Now, to be sure the bobbin thread is fully positioned behind the tension spring, before you move the bobbin thread into the notch, place your right index finger on top of the bobbin spool to prevent the bobbin spool from turning. Hold thread snugly (in slight tension) as you move it towards the back of the notch. You should feel the thread slide in place behind the spring. Let loose the spool and lightly pull thread. Note the resulting change in tension. (don't forget to set top thread tension back to a more normal setting)



Comment here if you require further assistance.



If you need... your manual may be downloaded at no charge from the Janome site.
https://www.janome.com/siteassets/support/manuals/embroidery-models/inst-book-mc350e.pdf

try using gutermann thread and needle according to your fabric thickness and tension dial must be 3-5 and bobbin thread hold the end of the thread and bounce to see how loose the thread is cos if it releases too easy you need to turn the screw on the casing just a little see how you go

I believe this model is a sewing machine not embroidery. Elna 6005 Heirloom Edition. "Expressive" Line is Embroidery/Sewing. Expressive 860 through 960.
Cheers,
Embroidery Services
San Diego, CA

you could start at sewingpartsonline.com, they have a list of Elna models with manuals and spare parts. You will need to find the model number however, it should be on the right side panel, a little plate with Tavaro SA and a two digit code number. If its a Lotus code might be 15, 25, 35 or 36. Also, if you do have a Lotus, please go to my solutions and find mine regarding winding a bobbin. The Lotus has no tensioner on the bobbin winding so it is critical that you tension the thread by applying your hand or scissors to the top of the thread spool as the thread winds off it and use your finger to nudge the thread so it feeds onto the bobbin nice and evenly. If you bobbin has wound without tension then the thread will be loose and uneven and you will never get a good stitch from it. Also, check that you are clicking the bobbin thread into the tension spring on the bobbin case. I'll attach an image to assist.

bunching under the material is bird nesting is a result of loose needle thread tension thread the machine up to the point of threading the needle
pull on the thread and you should have a reasonable resistance to pulling the thread
adjust the tension until you get that then thread the needle
while you may be using the tension settings if there is a problem in the tension plates area , the tension will not get high enough regardless of the indicated setting
bobbin tension can be reasonably loose
correct tension is when both threads meet at the center of the materials being sewn

Possible causes:
top tension dial set too low
top tension dial not working at all
top thread not seated into top tension discs
top thread hasn't been threaded up correctly, missing out the tension discs or take up lever

Most likely your top tension device is either set too low, or gunked up and not working right or has actually failed. Can you access the tension discs? If so, turn dial to zero and 'floss' between the discs with the selvage edge of a clean piece of waste cotton fabric and see if any black stuff comes out. If so, continue until it comes out clean. Turn back to 5 or the marked normal setting.

Now thread up again from top spool down to tension, through take up lever, then down to the eyelet just above the needle. Lower the pressure foot to engage tension then pull on the thread downwards. Is it hard to pull? If not, then the tension dial is faulty and you'll need to get the machine serviced.

If this feels firm and hard to pull, then take a look at the lower thread tension but this shouldn't normally need any altering (unless you've adjusted it previously for some reason and not reset it to normal setting). Check thread is fully into the tension spring, bobbin is in the right way and bobbin case is in fully in the correct position.

If you look at the zig zag stitiching you've done, can you identify if the loose thread is the top one? If you use two different coloured threads for troubleshooting, this often makes it a bit easier to see what's happening, just make sure they are the same weight and brand of thread if you do this.

I hope this helps you to identify the problem and fix it. But if you suspect that the top thread tension device is just not tensioning the thread even if you turn the dial right up to 7, then you'll need to get the machine serviced as the dial could well be faulting.

You need to keep tension on the thread spool as you wind the bobbin to avoid this from happening. Also, is there a little tension device to take the thread around between the spool and the bobbin winder? Some machines have a little silver button tensioner purely for bobbin winding to keep the thread flowing smoothly.

But I always do the following anyway just to ensure a smooth bobbin. Take the thread from your spool, through the eyelet or tensioner, then back to the bobbin and put the tail end up through a hole in the top of the bobbin. Now put the bobbin onto the winder and click it against the stop. Place the curved handle of a pair of scissors onto the top of the thread spool and apply some gentle pressure to stop the spool from bouncing and jumping while winding off. Keep doing this through the winding process.

Start the bobbin winding mechanisim, its a button on my Janome 6500, yours might be a little different. HOLD the thread tail until you've got coverage over the whole bobbin area catching the starting point. Stop, trim the thread tail off top of the bobbin with scissors, then restart winding again. Watch as the thread winds and give it a nudge with your finger tip to the top or bottom so the bobbin winds evenly across the whole spool's width.

Best analogy here is when you wind the garden hose onto the reel, if it goes on all over the place you never get the whole length on neatly, but if you wind it on neatly in an even tight coil across the spool, then back again, then repeat, you get a tidy hose. But just wind madly, it all builds up in the middle, you can't get it all onto the reel, and it won't pull out nicely next time you need it. Same thing with your SM thread.

Polyester and silky embroidery threads will be worse too as they are silky, so if the thread hasn't been wound on smoothly and under tension, then it will "collapse" with gravity, then when you use the bobbin, the thread is going to be caught on itself, will feed unevenly and be stretched, then loose, giving you less than perfect stitch tension.

My other bobbin tip is store the bobbins in a plastic bobbin tray so they are lying on their edges and under a cover. Keeps them neater and they are less likely to unwind stray threads around your sewing cabinet if you store them on the spool pins build onto the cabinet door - and it keeps the thread dust free. But I do not keep thread on bobbins for long, prefer to wind a fresh one off a new spool when I start a project and can usually complete a garment with a 3/4 filled bobbin, use the remaining few metres for handsewing, then junk the rest. Then I put the thread spool that is left back into a sealed takeway container to keep it away from UV, dust and moisture.

I hope this assists you with your machine and certainly if this doesn't resolve the bobbin issues, then I'd suggest you visit your dealer and ask them to demonstrate the technique on your machine to see if there is a technical issue with it.

I assume you mean when you wind a bobbin full of thread??

You take the end of thread from your spool through the tension device or an eyelet on top of the machine, then back to the bobbin on the bobbin winder and thread the loose end through a top hole on the bobbin. Click the bobbin in against the stop and press on the pressure foot to start to wind. Hold the top thread for a bit as the bobbin starts to fill and then once it has been covered by a row or two of thread, stop and cut of the loose end from top of the bobbin. Now continue to wind the bobbin until it cuts out as it fills against the stopper. Nudge the thread with a finger tip as it spools onto the bobbin to help get the bobbin filled top and bottom and not just in the middle. (bit like when you coil the garden hose onto the reel, it always wants to go in the middile only and then jams up LOL).

Also a really good idea to place your scissors handle into the top of the thread spool to slow/control it as the thread reels off it. This helps give an even tension on the thread going onto the bobbin which really helps with stitch quality later.