I keep having problems with the stitching on my machine. 1) when you sew the stitches looks normal from the top but when you turn the material over it looks like one big tangled mess. 2)When it does work the stitches are often loose and does not seem secure to hold the material you are stitching together 3)The thread keeps breaking while sewing i have tried heavy duty threads and it still happens can you please help

First thing to do is install a brand new needle.


Basic Maintenance Tension Skipped Stitches

What to Do If Your Sewing Machine Is Skipping Stitches

10 reasons for skipped stitches

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A transcript from the Elna SU manual reads as follows, and the manual can be viewed on line at http://sewingonline.co.uk/instructions/elnasp/

First make a few trial runs with a scrap of material exactly as the buttonhole will be stitched, with the machine adjusted as you intend to use it.
1. Use the embroidery and buttonhole foot. It can be chnged without a screwdriver by using the fixation screw.- With the stitch width knob at "0", turn the selector to zigzag "1".
2. De-center the needle to the left.
3. Set the stitch width knob at 2, with the solid mark on top.
4. Set the stitch length dial between 1/2 and 1/4.
5. a) Mark the desired length on the material.
b) Sew the first side of the buttonhole. Stop with the needle in the material and the mark (right).
c) Raise the foot and pivot the material round the needle. Lower the foot and raise the needle.
6. a) Set the stitch width knob at 4.
b) Sew a few stitches. Raise the needle.
7. a) Set the stitch width knob at 2.
b) Sew the second side and stop just short of the length of the first. Raise the needle.
8. a) Set the stitch width knob at 4.
b) Finish off the buttonhole by sewing a few stitches. Raise the needle.
9. a) Set the stitch width knob at "0".
b) Sew a few stitches to fasten the threads, holding the material back by hand.
10. Open with the buttonhole knife, which you will find in the accessory box.

Find the tensions on your machine. Usually a screw below on the bobbin regulates the top stitches tension. Usually a numbered wheel on top--where the thread is around it--regulates the bottom stitches. YOU NEED TO ADJUST THE TOP WHEEL, test on scrap material, and if looser, you are in the right direction. If it is still a mess. turn the knob to a lower number.

Hi Leann: Think about how a sewing machine works. Now think about what kind of difference an 1/8th of an inch distance would make. Yes. You will need to adjust your top tension when you do free motion work. Keep in mind that plate is not just stopping your feed dogs from working... it's holding your materials that far away from the bed of the machine... so when the thread makes a loop and tightens for the stitch it has the extra 1/8th of an inch to make up for... if the tension isn't right... you got loops. There are no "specific" settings for tensions... you learn by doing you stitch a few stitches on like materials and tighten until you see a good stitch.

try a new needle
try a different thread top and bobbin
try adjusting the top thread tension one number or letter at a time
higher sewing on a scrap piece of paper till the stitches look
normal
make sure the top thread does not come off the thread take up lever

whether its bias or straight does not matter to machine. loosen the bobbin tension and put more tension on take up spring by inserting a screwdriver in the slot of the top thread tensioner. turn to right.

try adjusting the top thread tension and see if that helps
also try changing the thread.
also change the needle--make sure it's the right needle for the fabric
being sewed.

1. Lengthen your stitch length

2. Use your even feed foot (walking foot attachment)

The three front dials are as follows....left to right-Stitch width, type of stitch, and stitch length. The dial on the top adjust the top tension.

For straight stitch you want 0 stitch width, straight stitch, 3 for stitch length.

For zig zag you want turn your stitch width to how wide you want the zig zag, choose zig zag stitch, and choose how close you want the stitches to be on the stitch length dial. Practice on a piece of fabric. Usually for zig zag you will want to loosen your top tension a little bit.

Sounds like a bottom tension problem, to be sure I would have to have a look, I would suggest you have it looked at. Not sure about the materials you are sewing and have serious doubts as to whether the machine you are using is up for the job and will give you a satisfactory finish. It is possible a "walking foot" machine is what you need.