I have this sewing machine and it seems that my tension on the top is too tight because my stitches on top are really tight and then the thread breaks. It feels like something needs to be greased or something. When I turn the manual knob on the side it goes smooth then tight, then smooth then tight...any idea what this is about?

Is 4 the highest number? If so, the steps you took were really all that you can do. Just a thought, how about using invisible thread (almost like a thin fishing line) for your top thread and regular thread in your bobbin? It may be easier to remove the stitches with the lighter thread. Good luck

Suggest you check your bobbin tension, pull the bobbin thread and if you feel it too loose, most likely bobbin thread not threaded correctly into the bobbin case tension plate. Do refer to your manual if you have one.

change the needle --make sure it's the right one for the fabric
being sewed

rethread the machine top and bobbin

make sure the bobbin is turned the right way in the bobbin case

also check the top thread tension, if the stitches under the fabric
are loose adjust the top thread tension one number or letter higher
at a time and sew on a scrap piece of fabric till the stitches look
normal

here is a free manual
http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/696_5417c.pdf

Good day!

please try this simple tips:

Good day!

A sewing machine operator can often help themselves when their machine does not operate properly.
Here are some simple instructions, which if properly used can save time and mechanics service calls.
TROUBLE;UPPER THREAD KEEPS BREAKING;
This could be trouble;================Do this;
1.Top tension to tight================loosen tension 1 turn
2.Machine improperly threaded=========check threading
3.Thread twisted on guide post========"
4.Thread twisted out of tension======="
5.Take up spring bent or broken=======Check action of spring
6.Thread jumped off pull off finger===Check threading
7.Needle bent or burred===============new needle
8.Bad cone of thread==================try another cone
TROUBLE;LOWER THREAD KEEPS BREAKING;
1.Bobbin tensionspring to tight=======Loosen tension slightly
2.Bobbin threaded wrong===============check threading
3.Bobbin wound to tight or uneven=====try new bobbin
4.lint or thread on bobbin case=======clean inside case
5.Lint or thread inside hook==========clean inside hook
6.Bobbin case nicked bent or burred===check/change case
TROUBLE;MACHINE STARTED SKIPPING STITCHES;
1.Needle bent or burred===============change
2.Needle set in crooked===============Check
3.Thread jumped off take up spring====check threading
4.Thread jumped off pull off finger===check threading
TROUBLE STITCHES SHOWING LOOPS;
1.Forming loops on top of cloth=======Tighten bobbin tension
======================================or loosen top tension.
2.forming loops on bottom of cloth====Tighten top tension
3.Bobbin placed in case incorrectly===remove and replace
4.Bobbin thread slipped from under====check threading of
tension===============================bobbin case
5.Lint or thread in top tension=======clean between tension discs


Thank you and good luck.

Good day!

please try this simple tips:

Good day!

A sewing machine operator can often help themselves when their machine does not operate properly.
Here are some simple instructions, which if properly used can save time and mechanics service calls.
TROUBLE;UPPER THREAD KEEPS BREAKING;
This could be trouble;================Do this;
1.Top tension to tight================loosen tension 1 turn
2.Machine improperly threaded=========check threading
3.Thread twisted on guide post========"
4.Thread twisted out of tension======="
5.Take up spring bent or broken=======Check action of spring
6.Thread jumped off pull off finger===Check threading
7.Needle bent or burred===============new needle
8.Bad cone of thread==================try another cone
TROUBLE;LOWER THREAD KEEPS BREAKING;
1.Bobbin tensionspring to tight=======Loosen tension slightly
2.Bobbin threaded wrong===============check threading
3.Bobbin wound to tight or uneven=====try new bobbin
4.lint or thread on bobbin case=======clean inside case
5.Lint or thread inside hook==========clean inside hook
6.Bobbin case nicked bent or burred===check/change case
TROUBLE;MACHINE STARTED SKIPPING STITCHES;
1.Needle bent or burred===============change
2.Needle set in crooked===============Check
3.Thread jumped off take up spring====check threading
4.Thread jumped off pull off finger===check threading
TROUBLE STITCHES SHOWING LOOPS;
1.Forming loops on top of cloth=======Tighten bobbin tension
======================================or loosen top tension.
2.forming loops on bottom of cloth====Tighten top tension
3.Bobbin placed in case incorrectly===remove and replace
4.Bobbin thread slipped from under====check threading of
tension===============================bobbin case
5.Lint or thread in top tension=======clean between tension discs


Thank you and good luck.

Usually thread too loose on the bottom is caused by the upper tension being too loose. The top and bottom tensions work together with the top thread making the underside of the stitch seem too taunt or too loose and the bobbin thread causing the top side of the stitch to be loopy or too tight. Select a large zig zag stick and sew a couple of inches. Then examine the stitch. It should look identical on both sides. Look to see which side is drawn too tight, the zig zag being smaller on that side with threads from the bottom threads pulled through. Then adjust the two tensions so that they make a uniform, identical stitch.

Also, when the bobbin tension is right you can hold the bobbin dangling by the thread and it won't spool out to the floor but will let loose a bit with a slight flick of the wrist. Too loose it will just spool out. Too tight and it won't drop at all. When you get that set right then do the above zig zag test to see where the top tension should be set.

If you can't adjust the bobbin tension, adjust the top tension. Also the lower thread needs to be pulled to your left (away from presser foot) before you start sewing, this avoids tangles.

Your tension is way too loose on top or too tight on the bobbin. Try adjusting the top tension one number at a time until you get it right. (Only adjust the bobbin tension as a last resort). Also you could have different thickness of thread in the bobbin than on the top or are sewing a very heavy fabric. Try adjusting the tension with same thread in both bobbin and top and use a normal weight fabric until you find the right tension to get you back to a normal stitch before going to a heavier fabric or thread.

It's your bobbin tension not the top.

Could be the bobbin case tension is too tight--are you using a thicker thread than usual? Also, check to make sure that it is the correct bobbin for your machine--several are very similar but if not exact, will not sew properly. Also, if the thread is not evenly wound on the bobbin, there would be problems. Check to make sure the bobbin thread is threaded through the bobbin tension. It may help to tighten the top tension, but if the bobbin case tension is too tight, adjusting the top tension will not completely resolve the problem. The tension is correct when the top and bobbin threads meet in the middle of the fabric--this means that whenever you start a different project, you may need to re-adjust the tension.

Understanding Thread Tension Threads

Learn the Ins and Outs of Troubleshooting Sewing Machine Tension

Sewing Lesson 10 How to Fix Tension on Your Sewing Machine

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