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Re: Tension
kathisalter
Joined: Dec. 2, 2008
Posted: March 22, 2011, 6:50 PM
Question:

I have adjusted for days and still have the loose stitches on the bottom. I even had to take out the quilt and rip a big area. Is there some set of steps in adjusting this. Is there someplace with pictures of different problems and probable solutions?


Answer:

I know it can be very frustrating when you can't get your tension looking good. There are some steps to getting this set right. First of all, the foundation to setting your tension begins with setting the bobbin tension, and then after you know you have set that correctly, the rest of the adjusting to get the tension right is going to be on the top. You need to set your tension with a full bobbin. Don't be afraid of adjusting your bobbincase. If you want to have good tension, you need to be adjusting your bobbincase with every thread that you use. Just because it set for one color or weight of thread, does not mean that it is adjusted correctly for another color or weight of thread. To see a proper adjustment for your bobbin case, we have a YouTube video that you can view on this website. There are a few steps in order to get to it. Go to "Education" at the top of the page and click onto "Videos Tips and Tricks". In that category, click onto "How To Videos". Next go into "Prepare to Quilt Videos" and last, click onto "Checking Bobbin Tension". Watch this video to see what a proper tension looks like and how to adjust it. The bobbincase should stand up on your hand and slightly come off of it, then slide down very freely like a spider on a spiderweb. To adjust, it takes hairline movements of the screw to make a difference. After you have set this tension, put the bobbincase in your machine and do the rests of your adjusting on top. Make sure that the thread is flossed really good into the tension disks, not just laying on the outside of them. To get to a starting point on the top tension, tighten the tension as tight as you can and then do 6 full revolutions to loosen it. When you do a sample quilting test and you have the bottom thread coming up onto the top, that means the top tension is too tight--loosen it at least a half a turn to make a difference. If you are seeing the top thread underneath, tighten the top.

One other thing I want you to check is the outside spring or arm on your bobbincase (the one that the screws are connected to). Slide a straight pin under this it to make sure you haven't gotten a lint build up under this area. That will make a big differnce in your tension if there is lint.

I hope these tips are helpful to you. If you have any other questions, feel free to call us at 1-877-697-8458 Monday-Friday 10:00AM-5:00PM MST. Ask for the Education Department.

Kathi Salter
Handi Quilter Studio Educator

Re: Tension
shc312
Joined: July 1, 2010
Posted: March 28, 2011, 2:18 PM
I too had big time tension problems and tried everything. Another HQ owner and dear friend came over and flossed the tension disks her way and no more trouble. Even though it may look like they are flossed you have to be pretty forceful. I have since changed thread several times and tension is no longer an issue! Hope that helps.