Adjusting the bottom tension on a 1938 singer featherweight

TIP: A general rule of thumb is that if the stitch looks bad on the top it is the bottom tension.
If the stitch looks bad on the bottom it is the upper tension. The upper and lower threads play
tug of war with each other.
Tension
You need correct tension on the top and bottom threads, but you must also have correct tension on
the quilt held between the rails. You should have a small amount of "sag" in your fabric. This allows
enough movement of your quilt layers for the needle to penetrate and make good stitches.
Before you start making adjustments to your machine ask yourself, "What changed?" If your machine
was stitching great and all of a sudden it has loopies on the back or puckers, "What changed?" Did
you just change the bobbin? Did you just lift the take up rail? Did you lower the take up rail after
finishing your last quilt? Did you recently change the needle? Did you just roll the quilt?
If the take up rail with the quilted portion of your quilt is too high, it will result in poor stitch quality. You
need a finger tip space between the quilt and the machine bed. Higher will result in poor stitch
quality, too low and the quilt will create a drag on your machine's movement.
Look at your bobbin, a sloppy wound bobbin will not create a good stitch. Make sure that the threads
on the bobbin are snug and evenly wound. Check to see if there is a piece of lint in the bobbin case

Is this your Model here

• tension disks ( the coil/spring ) needs to be replaced
• 

just adjust to needle in fix to strait in needle clamp hole it operate to needle strait to hole so needle do nt break but needle is best buy qualtity

Hi. The upper tension is too loose (even tho it looks ok). If the upper thread is too loose, it can't pull the bobbin thread up to properly form the stitch and you get those messy 'birds nest' on the bottom side of the fabric. I posted a Tip on Adjusting Tension--read that and adjust your upper tension.

Thanks!

Robbie

pucker is caused by too loose or, to tight adjustment of: the thread tensioners both the bobbin tensioner and, the needle tensioner need to be adjusted: to adjust the needle tensioner turn the side knob clockwise is tighter counterclockwise loosens; the bobbin tensioner is a tiny screw on the bobbin holder adjust both tensioners until your stich loops' both top and, bottom are tight but, the machine does not break the thread

Yes you should lower the feed dogs for free motion sewing. The tension can be set higher as required. A perfectly tuned up machine uses a setting of 5 but don't be afraid to go higher to get rid of the looping on the bottom.
Also, oil your hook every 8hrs with Pfaff hook oil (which is lighter weight than regular sewing machine oil) if you have it, otherwise use white sewing machine oil. Looping on the bottom can be caused by a dry hook.
good luck!

Needle Faces Where?  
I Need to Tighten the Tension....  
Changing a Needle  
Need Help  
Basic Questions-  
Bobbin Assembly Popped Out!  
Do You Think My Machine is Fixable?  
How to Change a Broken Needle  
Needle Bar Adjustment  
Oiling an Elna 3007  
Getting the Timing Belt Off?  
What Size Needles for My Machine?  
How to Oil my Machine?  
Where to Oil??  
Stitch Length Knob Woes  
Can't Seem to Put the Bobbin in Correctly  
Timing Belt Tension  
Adjustments  
Running Very Slow-  
Oiling Points on Singer 257  
Oiling My Singer Touch & Sew  
Singer 457  
Featherweight Case Odor  
Brother XL2010 Q's  
Does My Machine Have More Than One Belt?  
Cannot Seem To Adjust the Tension  
What to Do About a Gumming Up Needle  
How Tighten My Bobbin Tension, Please  
Is it Covered Under Warranty?  
Proper Threading Instructions?  
Just a Foot Pedal?  
Simple Threading Instructions for a 1036  
Threading a Singer 600  
Replacing a Blade on a Johnson Ruffler  
Changing the Needle  
Lubricating a Singer 1036  
Thread Balling Underneath  
Warranty Info  
Machine Covered in Hardened Oil  
Spindle Stuck?  
Do Motors Die?  
Singer 457  
Brother Sewing Machine  
Servicing My Machine-  
Belt Replacement  
Lubricating My Sewing Machine  

check out this. good luck. thanks.

Needle Faces Where?  
I Need to Tighten the Tension....  
Changing a Needle  
Need Help  
Basic Questions-  
Bobbin Assembly Popped Out!  
Do You Think My Machine is Fixable?  
How to Change a Broken Needle  
Needle Bar Adjustment  
Oiling an Elna 3007  
Getting the Timing Belt Off?  
What Size Needles for My Machine?  
How to Oil my Machine?  
Where to Oil??  
Stitch Length Knob Woes  
Can't Seem to Put the Bobbin in Correctly  
Timing Belt Tension  
Adjustments  
Running Very Slow-  
Oiling Points on Singer 257  
Oiling My Singer Touch & Sew  
Singer 457  
Featherweight Case Odor  
Brother XL2010 Q's  
Does My Machine Have More Than One Belt?  
Cannot Seem To Adjust the Tension  
What to Do About a Gumming Up Needle  
How Tighten My Bobbin Tension, Please  
Is it Covered Under Warranty?  
Proper Threading Instructions?  
Just a Foot Pedal?  
Simple Threading Instructions for a 1036  
Threading a Singer 600  
Replacing a Blade on a Johnson Ruffler  
Changing the Needle  
Lubricating a Singer 1036  
Thread Balling Underneath  
Warranty Info  
Machine Covered in Hardened Oil  
Spindle Stuck?  
Do Motors Die?  
Singer 457  
Brother Sewing Machine  
Servicing My Machine-  
Belt Replacement  
Lubricating My Sewing Machine  

check out this  good luck  thanks.

Needle Faces Where?  
I Need to Tighten the Tension....  
Changing a Needle  
Need Help  
Basic Questions-  
Bobbin Assembly Popped Out!  
Do You Think My Machine is Fixable?  
How to Change a Broken Needle  
Needle Bar Adjustment  
Oiling an Elna 3007  
Getting the Timing Belt Off?  
What Size Needles for My Machine?  
How to Oil my Machine?  
Where to Oil??  
Stitch Length Knob Woes  
Can't Seem to Put the Bobbin in Correctly  
Timing Belt Tension  
Adjustments  
Running Very Slow-  
Oiling Points on Singer 257  
Oiling My Singer Touch & Sew  
Singer 457  
Featherweight Case Odor  
Brother XL2010 Q's  
Does My Machine Have More Than One Belt?  
Cannot Seem To Adjust the Tension  
What to Do About a Gumming Up Needle  
How Tighten My Bobbin Tension, Please  
Is it Covered Under Warranty?  
Proper Threading Instructions?  
Just a Foot Pedal?  
Simple Threading Instructions for a 1036  
Threading a Singer 600  
Replacing a Blade on a Johnson Ruffler  
Changing the Needle  
Lubricating a Singer 1036  
Thread Balling Underneath  
Warranty Info  
Machine Covered in Hardened Oil  
Spindle Stuck?  
Do Motors Die?  
Singer 457  
Brother Sewing Machine  
Servicing My Machine-  
Belt Replacement  
Lubricating My Sewing Machine  
check out this. good luck. thanks

Just try below hopes it may help;

Sewing Machine Maintenance

Needle Faces Where?
I Need to Tighten the Tension....
Changing a Needle
Need Help
Basic Questions-
Bobbin Assembly Popped Out!
Do You Think My Machine is Fixable?
How to Change a Broken Needle
Needle Bar Adjustment
Oiling an Elna 3007
Getting the Timing Belt Off?
What Size Needles for My Machine?
How to Oil my Machine?
Where to Oil??
Stitch Length Knob Woes
Can't Seem to Put the Bobbin in Correctly
Timing Belt Tension
Adjustments
Running Very Slow-
Oiling Points on Singer 257
Oiling My Singer Touch & Sew
Singer 457
Featherweight Case Odor
Brother XL2010 Q's
Does My Machine Have More Than One Belt?
Cannot Seem To Adjust the Tension
What to Do About a Gumming Up Needle
How Tighten My Bobbin Tension, Please
Is it Covered Under Warranty?
Proper Threading Instructions?
Just a Foot Pedal?
Simple Threading Instructions for a 1036
Threading a Singer 600
Replacing a Blade on a Johnson Ruffler
Changing the Needle
Lubricating a Singer 1036
Thread Balling Underneath
Warranty Info
Machine Covered in Hardened Oil
Spindle Stuck?
Do Motors Die?
Singer 457
Brother Sewing Machine
Servicing My Machine-
Belt Replacement
Lubricating My Sewing Machine


Regards,
VOTIT