Tension problem. bottom thread loopy.

First, check the stitching to verify that it is in fact the bobbin thread that is loose & loopy. Usually, loopy thread under the fabric is the upper thread--which, if that is the case, is an indication it is either threaded incorrectly or the upper tension is too loose.

Make sure you are using a brand-new needle.
Always RAISE the presser foot and then thread the upper thread making sure that every guide and the correct path is followed.

Set the upper tension to the midway point between high & low number and re-test the stitching. Re-adjust as needed. The tension is correct when both upper and bobbin threads meet in the middle of the fabric.

Understanding Thread Tension Threads

If it is in fact the bobbin thread causing looping, it could be that the bobbin case is not threaded properly or the tension is way off.

Liz Kettle adjusting your bobbin case tension 1 wmv

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Factory standard tension for upper thread is the midway point between the high and low number. However, that tension dial is meant to be used for tweaking tension. Generally, tweaking is required whenever the type of fabric, needle, or thread are changed, ie thicker fabric like denim should have a different upper tension setting than fine chiffon. To be successful with tension settings, one must become comfortable adjusting the upper tension.

NOTE: Accurate tension is achieved when the upper thread and bobbin thread meet in the middle of the fabric.
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Understanding Bobbin Tension


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Loopy on bottom means the top tensions need to be adjusted. "All on 3 means nothing" These are tension knobs and are not required to be on the same number.

In the mean time rethread the machine with a different color on each spool This will help you determine which thread is the offender. sew the same type of material this thread set up... tighten the corresponding tension dial. Once you get a good stitch, Lift the food, cut all the threads near the spools and tie off new thread/spools and pull the thread through to the needle. Once it is all threaded again test your stitch with the same fabric again.

Using the thread tension dial on the left side of the machine you can adjust the upper tension.If i; doesn't work properly see if there's a thread that stuck.Buy a brother sewing machine

Hi:

Ok... so try to remember that loopy stuff on top means the bobbin tension is too loose (or the top tension is too tight...)

Loopy stuff on bottom, means the top tension is too loose. (or it's not threaded right)

Now. Get some scrap of the same material. Loosen that bobbin back to where it was. RETHREAD the top, with the foot in the UP position.

Place your scrap under the foot, and sew. still have problem? clip your threads and try again only this time hold the top and bottom threads off to the side as you begin to sew. How did that do?

Adjust the top tension to the point where you start seeing the bobbin thread come up in loops to the top... then back off until the disappear.

Now... be sure you have the correct thread and needle for your fabric. A lot of problem are caused by not having the proper needle and thread.

The loops on the bottom mean there's very little tension on the top thread.

Back to the loopies.... Somewhere on your machine, there's a tension mechanism. On older machines, it's circular and has (usually) a numbered dial. On newer machines, it may just appear as a slot with a dial someplace with numbers 0-9 on it. In either case, the thread has to go between two metal disks, which are the tension elements. In order to get the thread in properly, you must raise the presser foot, which opens the disks. Then you can "floss" the thread in. Not raising the presser foot during threading is, in my experience, the most common cause of bottom loopies.

Other common causes of loopies:
--Trying to sew with the presser foot in the raised position (this usually happens when you're brand new to sewing or you're trying to sew something thick that just barely fits under the presser foot -- and you forget to lower the presser foot after you've put the fabric under.

--Changing the setting on the upper tension dial. 4 to maybe 5 should give you proper tension for most types of sewing. Sometimes (often helpful, knob-twiddling family members) reset it to a much lower number.

--Cruddlies in the tension -- impacted lint, a bit of broken thread, rust, This is usually curable by taking a fold of much-washed cotton muslin (the hem of a pillowcase or a bandanna is great for this), moistening it with rubbing alcohol, and flossing the tension with it. If you get rust out, you'll need a replacement tension (they're not all that expensive, mostly). In some cases, the machine was abused by running something like #69 upholstery nylon thread through it (it's too heavy for most home machines) and the disks are damaged and need replacement.

--The thread is too heavy for the size of needle. This happens when you're trying to run something like topstitching thread with a small sized needle. The thread doesn't sit down in the long groove of the needle properly, and so lacks tension.

try these suggestions
check top tension & try a tension of 3 to 5
rethread the machine
try a new needle-flat side goes to the back of machine--also make sure the needle is the correct one for the fabric & thread

The bottom stitch is affected by the TOP thread tension :) First go back and make sure your bobbin tension is correct since you adjusted it. It should drop slightly when held suspended by danging it by the thread. If it reels out to the floor it is too loose. If it doesn't drop at all it is too tight.

Now that you have that adjusted look at your top tension. If it is loopy on the bottom side of the stitch the TOP tension is too loose. Increase the top tension.

Now take some scrap material and set machine to a wide zig zag, medium length stitch and sew a bit. Compare the top and the bottom sides of the stitch. They should look identical. Remember the TOP side effects the bottom and the BOTTOM tension effects the top side. Adjust accordingly until they look identical with no loose threads or loops and no puckering (puckering means it's too tight).

When your bottom thread is loopy it means that the UPPER thread is not properly threaded. First make sure your needle has the flat side to the back of the machine and that it's the right size needle for your machine and the fabric you're using. You probably missed the tension discs when you threaded the upper thread. Make sure that your presser foot is up and that your needle is in the uppermost position. Try re-threading it and when you get to the tension discs pull the thread back and forth so you hear a little snap. That tells you that your thread is being placed in the discs correctly. (This also cleans out your tension discs in case there's lint in them.) Make sure that you tension dial is on about #4. Finish threading and you should be good to go. Thanks for using FixYa!

When the bottom stitches are loopy it is the top tension which is wrong. I suspect that it is not threaded correctly for it to be this bad. If you have a tension dial make sure that the thread is properly between the disk. Try the top tension on 4-that is an "average" normal setting. Gradually turn it up as needed. A good way to test tension is to use 2 contrasting colours-red and white are good. You will see at a glance where the problem lies and how well you are correcting it with adjustments. You should barely see a trace of the top colour coming through. Rethread the machine top and bottom with 2 colours-set dial to no 4 and go from there.