My bottom stitch is "loose"

You need to tighten the bottom and top stitches both. First, tighten the bobbin slightly. Now, tighten the top stitches the same amount of pressure as the bobbin. The attempt is to have both the bottom and top stitches exactly the same so the final stitch ends up in the center of the fabric. Observe the stitch and readjust if necessary.

When the bottom stitches are loose it usually means the machine isn't threaded correctly. Un thread the machine and take the bobbin out. Rethread the top making sure the thread is in the tension slots securely. Replace the bobbin making sure it is inserted correctly. You might also need to replace the needle.

try loosing the top thread tension,, if that doesn't work then try adjusting the bottom thread tension.

Your description isn't very clear. When you say the "bottom stitch is using too much thread" Do you mean you see lots of loopy threads on top of the seam? Or do you mean you see loops on the bottom under the fabric? If your loops on the bottom, that means the top tension is too loose, you've not remembered to put the presser foot down, you have not threaded the top thread properly... Start by rethreading carefully with the presser foot UP. Then do a test stitch, remembering to put the presser foot down. If you still get loops underneath... tighten the tension.

If your loops are on the top of the fabric. loosen the top tension... then do a test seam... and if you still have loops loosen again and repeat. If you start to see loops on the bottom... tighten the tension a bit.

Good luck

This usually happens when the bobbin is wound incorrectly or has been over-filled. Take 1/2 the thread off the bobbin or if you need to wind a new one, only wind it halfway. Replace the bobbin and be sure that the thread is in the correct direction and fed through correctly. Bring the bobbin thread up before you start sewing.

Hi. I think I know what you mean--the top thread looks like it's just laying across the fabric, right? This is because either the top tension is too tight or the bobbin tension is too loose. (Either condition will look the same.) Try it with a different color thread in the bobbin, you can easily see the bobbin thread cross the top thread on top of your fabric. Here's what to do:

1. since you should hardly ever need to adjust the bobbin thread, we'll start with the top thread.
   
2. Make sure you thread the machine with the pressure foot UP (opens the tension disks) but adjust the tension with the pressure foot DOWN (closes them so they will adjust). Use a size 12 or 14 needle and good-quality thread (it does make a huge difference!)
   
3. With different color thread on top and in the bobbin, stitch an inch or so and check the stitch.
   
4. Slightly loosen the top tension (move the dial so the numbers go lower). Don't move it a lot, just a little bit.
   
5. Stitch again and check. Repeat this process, stitching, checking, and gradually adjusting the tension dial until you don't see any of the bobbin thread on the top (or very, very little) and don't see any of the top thread on the underside (or very, very little).
   
6. IF this doesn't get the balance adjusted, then you'll have to play with the bobbin tension. (But generally, once this is set, you shouldn't have to mess with it again.)
7. There is a tiny screw on the bobbin carrier that tightens or loosens a very small metal strip (where the thread exits the carrier). To tighten the bobbin tension, screw this just a tiny bit to the right. (Turn it to the right to loosen the screw, to the left to tighten it.) Again, just make a small adjustment each time and recheck your stitches.
   

Few things about sewing are more frustrating than stitches that aren't balanced!

Sure hope this helps!


Robbie

Hi! The bobbin tension rarely needs to be adjusted. First, make sure you're using the appropriate size needle and thread for your fabric (I'd probably use either a 'denim' needle or a universal size 14) and also that the upper thread and bobbin are threaded absolutely correctly. These can throw off the tension! Also, take the time to clean out the bobbin area. That can throw your stitch off also.

If the stitch on the bottom is loose, so that you see the top threads, then the top tension is too loose. If the top stitch is too loose and you see the bobbin threads on top, then the top tension is too tight.

It helps to thread the machine with different color thread on top and in the bobbin, and then stitch an inch or so on the same type of fabric as you're using in your quilt. Check the stitch. If you need to adjust the top tension, make sure the pressure foot is down! Adjust a little, stitch a few inches, and check again. Repeat until you don't see any (or very little) bobbin thread on the top or top thread on the bottom.

If you go through all these steps, and the bobbin thread is still loose (and you've tightened up the top tension), then there is a tiny little screw on the side of the bobbin case that you can use to adjust the bobbin tension. Turn the screw just a little bit (less than a quarter turn), stitch, check, etc. Once the bobbin tension is set, you shouldn't ever have to change it.

Let me know if this helps, ok?

Happy sewing!

This is a tension adjustment problem. It's good to use two different colors of thread, like you did. From your description, the top thread (needle thread) tension needs to be tighter. As you tighten the tension of the top thread, you'll see that the top thread pulls the bobbin thread up into the fabric so it's no longer laying loose on the bottom of the fabric.

You'll need to have the pressure foot down when you tighten the tension. Tighten it a little, sew a practice seam, check to see what the stitch looks like. Tighten it a little more, sew, check, etc etc--until both top and bottom look the same--you shouldn't see much (if any) of the bobbin thread color on top of the fabric or the top thread color on the underside.

Let me know how this works for you, ok?


Robbie

if stitches on top is loose then remove bobbin case and tighten small screw on it. if stitches on bottom of fabric is loose then tighten top thread tension.

If the top stitch is loose, then you need to tighten the bobbin tension: if the bottom stitch is loose, tighten the top tension. Hope this helps. It could also be the size needle and thread you are using for a particular fabric. Different fabrics require different notions.