How to Easily Adjust Sewing Machine Tension for Perfect Stitches

Adjusting the tension on your sewing machine is crucial for ensuring that your stitches are even and your fabric lays flat. Incorrect tension can lead to a multitude of sewing problems—from too loose to too tight stitches—which can be frustrating for any sewer, whether novice or experienced. We understand the importance of having just the right tension for your sewing project, as it is fundamental to achieving professional-looking results.

Tension issues often manifest as either loose loops on the underside of the fabric or puckering on the top side, and they can occur on any sewing machine. Therefore, knowing how to rectify these issues is an indispensable skill. In order to adjust the tension properly, it's important to first understand how tension works on a sewing machine and how different types of fabric and thread can influence tension requirements. We'll guide you through the process, providing tips to help you identify when a tension adjustment is necessary, and how to determine the right tension for your specific project.

Key Takeaways

Proper tension is key to even stitches and flat fabric.
Recognize tension issues by looking at stitch quality on both sides of the fabric.
Adjusting tension involves understanding how it works and varies with thread and fabric types.

Sewing Machine Tension

Proper adjustment of sewing machine tension is crucial for achieving balanced stitches and a professional finish. Suboptimal tension can lead to a range of issues, from unsightly puckering to thread breakage. In this section, we’ll guide you through checking and calibrating your machine's tension for various fabrics and threads.

Balanced Machine Stitches

To check for balance in your stitches, sew a test strip on a scrap of the fabric you’ll be using. Examine both the top and bottom of the fabric. If the stitches appear evenly laid out with no loops and are not too tight or loose, your tension is balanced.

Visible Bobbin Thread

When the bobbin thread is visible on the top of the fabric, it generally indicates that the top tension is too tight. To remedy this, decrease the top tension by adjusting the tension dial to a lower number.

Visible Needle Thread

If the needle thread is visible on the bottom side of the fabric, the top tension might be too loose. Increase the top tension by turning the tension dial to a higher number until the stitches become balanced.

Uniform Thread Usage

A well-tensioned machine will use thread amounts uniformly. It shouldn’t pull too much from either the needle or the bobbin. Threads should lock in the centre of the fabric layers without visible loops on either side.

Tension Adjustments

For tension adjustments:

Always start by ensuring your machine is properly threaded.
Test the current tension by sewing a sample strip.
Adjust the tension progressively and slowly, testing after each adjustment.
Remember finer threads may require lower tension settings, while heavier threads may need higher tension.

Bobbin Tension

Adjusting the bobbin tension is more intricate and usually unnecessary. However, if needed, turn the small screw on the bobbin case clockwise to increase tension or counterclockwise to decrease tension. Adjust only a quarter turn at a time and test sew between adjustments.