Bobbin Tension Adjustment for Sewing and Quilting

[Crunchy68]

Nobody ever explained this to me before! I took Home Ec classes 25 years ago, and have struggled with tension ever since. THANK YOU!!!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@Crunchy68 Wow - I am so glad to help! When I teach this in my classes everyone seems scared to change their bobbin tension but you really *need to* do it to get the best results. Threads are all so different these days and your machine needs you to make these adjustments so that it can sew properly. Thanks so much for watching and for commenting ~Marguerita :)

[ltcartwright1976]

I borrowed a vintage Singer 22 (model #17622090) to practice and was having problems with the tension. I googled until I fixed the top thread, but the test sew pieces still had the bobbin thread doing loopy-loops. I did a search and your video has helped me fix the problem.  I don't think my mom used the sewing machine too much because of this, so when I'm through I'll let her see if her issues with it was fixed. Great video, but closer shots helps.

[bloodnutter]

Oh thankyou thankyou! Ive had 2 second hand machines and couldnt figure out what i was doing wrong. So i bought a new one and i had the same problem. I didnt know the bobbin had a tension too!! That might sound dumb. But thankyou for making me a little wiser. Now i cant stay away from my machine!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@bloodnutter You are welcome!! I am so glad to help :) If any of your machines have a horizontal bobbin, my friend Trish Stuart has a SUPER video on how to adjust the tension for that style bobbin. Wishing you happy sewing and quilting, Marguerita :)

[1GINGERMARTINEZ]

IM A BEGINNER AND THAT WAS A RATE OF A 20 FOR ME. THANKU SOOO VERY MUCH!! GOD BLESS AND GREAT n FUN SEWING TO ALL OF U OUT THERE. Ginger@ GINGRZONIT@YAHOO.COM

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@1GINGERMARTINEZ Thank you Ginger :)

[LLuE88]

Would like to ask if on some machines that the tension value may be slightly less than this method? Reason for asking, on our machine, this is with out retesting again, on very thin materials it might be better to have tension at about 70% of the value demonstrated here to minimise the bunching of the material to next to nothing. This has always been an agrivation only on the very thin material.

regards, Still liked your demonstration the BEST.

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@LLuE88 You have a very good point because you have recent experience of sewing with thinner and finer material. I should test this on some silk or lawn. My demonstration is for heavier cotton as used for quiltmaking and as such, I might be way off on the thinner materials. I DO know what you mean though - it's been years since I've sewn silk. Lately I've been sewing through 2 layers of heavily starched cotton - which is stiff as a board. Excellent point and THANK YOU for posting it! MM

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@LLuE88 Oops - so to finish my comment, it might not be because of different machines but rather different fabrics. Maybe a better way for me to say it is that this tension that I demonstrated is good for cottons, but you are right that thinner fabrics may need a lighter setting on the bobbin tension. Thank you very much for sharing your insight on this subject :)

[LLuE88]

This is to me by far the best and easy to understand description of how AND why to set and change setting per sewing requirements at hand, BEST!

regards,

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@LLuE88 Thank you so much! ~Marguerita

[tabitie]

Great tips. Thank you for making this video

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@tabitie Thank you for watching! Check out my channel for more good tips on sewing and quilting. Marguerita :)

[tall32guy]

Thanks much Marguerita. My bobbin is being contrary and I can't (ostensibly) get it to have a tight enough tension. I think this video will help me remedy that. :) We shall see! Thanks again! :)

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@tall32guy You might want to be really sure that you don't have some bits of thread in the tension bar area - that's the only thing that I can think of that would not let you tighten the tension down -UNLESS- you are turning the wrong screw (which I have done!). Take your bobbin out, and the spring, and really clean it well with a magnifying glass and tweezers and find any loose bits of thread. GL and let me know if I can help in any other way :) ~~Marguerita

[clearskyblue]

Great way to get the correct tension.you made it easy to follow and really clear thankyou.I'd been going by feel and guessing up to now LOL!

James

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Hi James, I am so happy to help! Happy sewing and quilting, Marguerita :)

[sunnyin2004]

This video Rocks!!! I was one of those who didn't want to mess with the bobbin but now I will make sure to check it before sewing my projects.

Thanks again !

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

@sunnyin2004 Hi Sunny, I don't know how I missed your comment before, but thank you so much!!! Don't be afraid - it's just a machine made up of bits of metal :)

[super0chick]

Very nicely made video. Very clear and most definitely applicable. I have a question though, I have a top load bobbin and I'd like to know how to test it's tension like you did with this bobbin case.

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Hi My friend Trish has the very best video on top loading bobbins here on YouTube. I can't post the link (YT won't allow it in comments) but if you type Top Load Bobbin into the YT search bar, Trish's video is the very first to come up and it's worth watching!! Thanks so much, Marguerita  :)

[thefuzzzer1]

Best info I've come across!!! Thanks!!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

You are welcome! Thank you for your comment :)  Marguerita

[LuGal]

this was extremely helpful - i've been wracking my brain to figure out what the deal is with my bad stitches for the last two days - THANKS!!!

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Hi LuGal, you are very welcome! Thank you for your comment :) Be sure and check out my friend Trish Stuarts videos about using the bobbin and making adjustments - it's awesome :)

Marguerita

[CrazyShortcutQuilts]

Thank you for watching and for your comment! Be sure to look at Trish Stuart's video for tension adjustment if you have a horizontal bobbin - her video is perfect :)