Tension setting for a straight stitch on Brother XL-2230 Help!

Set the stitch selector to straight stitching.
Set the stitch length to 2.5
Set the thread tension dial (leftmost dial) to 5.
Done

try this links for a manual for the machine

http://www.manualsmania.com/download.php?link=895e1c9cf85f22c2369426fc64017e884f55

http://download.brother.com/welcome/doch000202/xl2600ug01en.pdf

Stitch length on 2.5 and stitch width on zero, and just loosen the top tension by a half number if you want the tension looser. If your machine has a stitch selector knob, make sure it is set to the straight stitch setting.

The foot is on the side. Make sure it is clean. Take off the plate and remove the bobbin cleaning all the lint and thread out with q-tips. Oil if needed. Make sure you are using the same thread in the bobbin as on top. Rethread the machine making sure you do it correctly. Change needles using Schmetz as it is shorter and I have found Singer and white label needles are too long and cause problems and well as break easily as they hit the bobbin and cause looping. Not sure what you need to know about the foot. It should have a handle on it so you can put it up or down. Google Brother model XL 2230 and download a manual to find lots of info about your machine.

check that you have threaded it right

Set the tension control to what is recommended in the manual.

Thread the machine with the presser foot up and your stitching should be well formed.

Be sure to use the type and size needle appropriate for the type of fabric than is being sewn.

Re-thread the machine with the presser foot up and see if this improves the stitching.

When a sewing machine is threaded with the foot down, the thread cannot properly enter the tension control and then when you begin to sew, then tension cannot control the flow of thread as it is designed to do.

Refer to the manual and do the routine maintenance as recommended and this will help keep the machine working as it should.

You would be better off using a multi zig zag stitch using an anti static needle size 12 if possible

the problem is always on the other side of the fabric - if thread bunches up underneath, the top tension or threading is wrong

If you have pattern dials set correctly then I might guess that one or more sets may have been missed when the thread was being set up in the machine. most of these models show either arrows or numbers for each or way the thread needs to be routed.