Bottom stitches are looping
SOURCE: stitching looping
This solution is for tension problems...if you cannot form any sort of stitch, the issue is quite different, so please let me know if you need a different problem solved.....the question you pose could have 2 meanings....this reply is for looping thread.
It is quite long, but just work through each section in order.
The "knotting up" can reveal a lot. If you have loose threads on one side or the other, the tension on the opposite side will be the culprit.
QUICK SUMMARY FIRST:
Ensure sharp new needle,
Thread guides and Bobbin are Clean & Clear of lint
Set Top Tesion to 4 ....then....
Balance Bobbin to suit.
TOP THREAD TENSION:
If the looping threads are on the underside as you sew, it is the top tension. Top tension ought to be between 4 & 6 (this variation to allow for the different weights of fabric in your projects).
IS YOUR NEEDLE SHARP ?
If you are using a needle that has seen quite a deal of work, or you suspect it may be blunt, change it for a new one !
TOP TENSION & GUIDES:
Make sure that when you thread the machine the presser foot is up so the thread goes between the discs and not to one side, top tension between 4 and 6, and that you have threaded through all the guides, including the last one, usually on the needle arm, just above the needle clamp.
It may be there is lint trapped between the discs, this will keep them slightly apart and reduce the actual tension, sometimes dramatically.
If tensions appear correct, and the thread is definitely in the channel between the discs, but still too loose and looping, try raising presser foot and remove your thread.
Now, with a 2" (50mm) wide strip piece of fabric 8 - 10" (20 - 25cm) moistened with methylated or denatured spirit, gently insert the fabric strip and clean between the discs with a see saw / to and fro action.
In the worst cases, gentle use of a needle to pick & remove the jam may be necessary, but be very gentle and make sure the tension is set at Zero and the presser foot is raised, (to disengage tension plates).... do not gouge or score the plates, they need a polished surface to work correctly.
BOBBIN TENSION:
Far less common, but if the loose threads are on the top, it is bobbin tension that is loose, it too may have lint in the spring and be giving a "false" tension.
I would not recommend fiddling with bobbin tension without good reason, it may end up with missing small screws and spring pieces, however, you can take the needle plate off to clean the hook race area (where bobbin case sits)
...this is just good housekeeping, my wife does this every time she replaces the bobbin....just take it out and clean the bobbin case and the fixed metal hook race with a small brush to remove lint. If there is a significant amount of lint, use a vacuum and small brush to get the worst.
Then wipe all this area with a cloth or cotton bud (Q tip) moistened (not soaked) with methylated spirit, especially if there appears to be fine dirty deposits....oil and lint combine to conspire against you.
If it seems likely that you ......really ....do .....actually .....need .....to adjust the bobbin case, first check there is no lint trapped in the metal spring where the thread is tensioned.
TOP LOADER:
Drop-in Bobbin case will look similar to this image with the tension screw in the middle of the metalwork....
...the other screw at one end is holding it all together, so beware....it is not a tragedy to undo the whole lot and clean it, but very gingerly and lay the bits out in sequence and orientation, or you risk tearing your hair out !
FRONT LOADER:
....this is a bobbin case from a front loading machine and works in a very similar fashion to the top loader with drop in bobbin, again, if you dismantle it, take care so you can put it all back properly.
FINISHING UP
GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT:
When you are certain there's no trapped lint in top tension or bobbin, set the top tension to 4 and the bobbin tension to a point where you just begin to feel resistance.
Try using good quality thread of contrasting colours so you can more easily spot the changes. ie a different colour top and bottom just for the test.
Set your zigzag to one width less than maximum (eg. 5 of 6 ...or... 4 of 5 etc) and sew a sample for a few inches and check the result.... adjust the bobbin tension screw very little at a time, perhaps 1/16 of a turn.
You may find you are playing with this balance for some little while and if you are putting the needleplate on and off each time begin to think it cannot be correct to do this.....BUT....it is, and eventually, you do get a "feel" for the correct tension and then it happens quite quickly.....as a user you won't be doing it very often unless there is lint built up (or are there small hands at work around the house !?!?!)
OTHER ISSUES:
If you live near the ocean as we do, salt air can play havoc with metalwork inside and out, so to help minimise this, keep a few small packets of dessicant (silica gel) in your machine case....no case ? then make some sort of cover ! Same applies in any damp or humid environment, keep your machine dry and dust free.
Budget for a proper full service every couple of years (more often if heavily used) and if you don't use your machine for a few years, be aware that old oil will dry out and combining with dust and form a "clag" like glue (another reason for some sort of cover, even a teatowel !)
FINALLY, A WORD ON THREAD:
If it is worth spending the time, energy and money on making something that you would like to give lasting enjoyment......use quality thread, .......it may seem to cost a little more at the time, but the results, ease of use and added longevity will be worth the extra, and as a bonus, your tension troubles may be fewer and further between, because there is a more consistant diameter with good thread, and less compensating to be done by your tension plates and less thread breaks !
If you need any more help with this, just post back here, or, drop a line through the "Contact Us" page at www.bargainbox.com.au
SOURCE: My bobbin thread keeps looping up on the bottom,
try this:
Tension:
If the thread is loose on the bottom of the fabric, it's actually the top thread is too loose. Think of 2 little elves playing tug of war in your machine, one on top and one underneath. If you have loops on bottom, the top needs to pull harder (tighten top tension)
Thread test
Test your thread quality to start, thread your machine and LIFT the presser foot (this opens the tension disks). Pull your top thread straight back. If you feel no tension no matter how much thread you pull, your thread is good. If that your machine passes that test, we can go to step 2. If not, try different spool of thread, do the same test until you get a smooth pull (tip: always check your thread this way when you thread your machine)
Step 2:
Pull on your threaded bobbin thread while it’s in the machine. Does it pull smooth and even? If so, go to step 3. If not, try a new bobbin (bobbins get bent or distorted if wound too tight).
Clean thoroughly in the hook and bobbin case area and oil 1-2 drop is all.
Jamming bobbin case:
If it is damaged from turning out of place once, it could have rough spots on it that makes the thread hang on it, and keeps making it turn over and over. Use a finger nail board (fine sanding) and smoothall rough spots. Then reset the bobbin case taking care to put the notch in the bobbin case in alignment with the proper spot in the machine (basically 5 o’clock) when looking at the round area where the bobbin case goes
SOURCE: Thread looping on top and bottom of fabric
hi! there,
on this condition,you can avoid wasting time and material try on this, the problem is your set up of tension thats why.,but you should follow upper theading. see figure,
this just sample of exact threading,next bobbins set up see fig.the thread should be clockwise rotation on winder
follow this set up,and upon inserting be sure
you have clean feed dogs and shuttle race free from fabrics and threads chips.set dial tension to #3 to #4 and stitch dial to #12.then try this set.and you can watch on you tube sewing. try this stuff on internet address type www.youtube.com then on search box type sewing machine,have enjoy and have a nice day.don't forget to rate me,
SOURCE: Skipped stitches & looping on the bottom of Quilt
Try a different needle. Use a quilting or topstitch or even a metallic needle - one that has a larger scarf than normal. The scarf is the groove at the back of the needle where the thread goes while the stitch is being formed. Quilting threads often need more "room" there. I have been told that the Inspira quilting needles are good because they have a thread groove on the front and the back of the needle. Not tried them personally but might be worthwhile for you to consider.
For the looping, you could fiddle with your tensions a little either loosening the bobbin tension or tightening the top, or both. Only ever do this in very small increments. But the good news is that even the "professional" quilters do not have perfect quilt backs - just have a look at them at quilt shows!
Pam M.
SOURCE: The stitch tensioner doesn't seem
Make sure the machine is properly threaded.
The thread must go thru the tension discs and under the spring before going up to the arm that moves up and down.
If this looks OK then pull on the thread when the needle is in it's lowest position. If you don't feel resistance, then the tensioner needs to be adjusted.
This is done by loosening the screw that keeps the tensioner from rotating, and rotating it. You have to do this in away that allows the spring to move freely in the slot that captures it.
- You may want to bring it in to a shop instead.
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