I just got a Brother CS600i as a gift. The decorative stitches are appearing on the bottom side of the fabric NOT the top. Flip the fabric over and the decorative stitch is perfect and beautiful. To me, the top looks as if it should be on the other side of the fabric. Seems counter intuitive to sewing; certainly not practical for appliques. So I'm thinking either I'm doing something wrong or something is wrong with the machine. I have already tried changing the tension and have made sure to use the proper foot. Any suggestions?

Looping on wrong (bottom) side of fabric is almost always insufficient tension of top thread.

The fabric appears to be multiple layers high density so it will take a higher than typical tension setting.

You can easily verify it is top thread looping on bottom by using a different color top thread. Using a different color top thread will also aid in setting the proper tension as you'll be able to see bottom thread eventually come to top side as you increase tension. Then reduce tension until stitch returns to center of fabric layer.

Check your stitch sample. Dollars to donuts it's the top thread bird nesting (also called thread nesting) under the fabric. Issues appearing under the fabric is usually top thread related. Problems appearing on the top of the fabric is usually bobbin thread related.

Remove the top thread from your machine.
Be sure to start with a brand new needle.
ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot and rethread the top.

...

According to the manual, you should not need to adjust the bobbin tension (and I located other sites which stated the bobbin tension cannot be adjusted on this machine). Apparently, all the tension adjustment is accomplished through the upper thread::
"EN Thread Tension Upper thread tension Basic thread tension setting: "4". (1) To increase the tension, turn the dial to the next number up. To reduce the tension, turn the dial to the next number down. A. Normal thread tension for straight stitch sewing. B. Thread tension too loose for straight stitch sewing. Turn dial to higher number. C. Thread tension too tight for straight stitch sewing. Turn dial to lower number. D. Normal thread tension for zig zag and decorative sewing. Correct thread tension is when a small amount of the upper thread appears on the bottom side of fabric. Lower thread tension The bobbin tension has been set correctly at the factory, so you do not need to adjust it. Please note: - Proper tension setting is important for strong seams. - There is no single tension setting appropriate for all stitch functions, thread or fabric. - A balanced tension (identical stitches both top and bottom) is usually only desirable for straight stitch construction sewing. - 90% of all sewing will be between "3" and "5". - For zig zag and decorative sewing stitch functions, thread tension should generally be less than for straight stitch sewing. - For all decorative sewing you will always obtain a nicer stitch and less fabric puckering when the upper thread appears on the bottom side of your fabric. 1 A B C 22 D"

Doing further research, I found this statement on a machine review site:
"After reading reviews online from where I've bought my drop-in bobbin machines, I think many of the negative reviews are due to the bobbin thread coming up without laying across the bobbin. It can cause the stitches to look very sloppy and no amount of tension adjusting can fix the stitches."

There are several machine review sites wherein 4423 owners stated their disappointment in the 4423's performance. Some said the machine failed almost immediately and others said the machines developed problems when sewing heavy fabric.

Rule of thumb:
1.Too much thread on bottom then tighten top (tension).
2. Too much thread on top then loosen top (tension).
Just remember this works very well only if your bobbin is set properly.

Check your setting, you have your stitches set too far apart. Wherever on your machine you see the zigzag stich you will see other stich settings, look at it until you see the right amount of stiches you want.

Are you sure that it's a Singer LS-1217? I can't find any model with 1217 on the Singer site.

The Brother LS-1217 manual is available here: http://welcome.solutions.brother.com/bsc/public/eu/eu_ot/en/doc/manual_top.html?reg=eu&c=eu_ot&lang=en&prod=hf_ls1217euk . The direct link to the English version of the manual is http://download.brother.com/welcome/doch000000/ls12171217b13171417ug01enesfrpt.pdf . There are only a few knobs on most machines. On the front near the needle is the Needle Thread Tension knob. If you use contrasting colors (different top, bobbin and fabric colors), you might see a straight stitch where the top thread is visible on the bottom of the fabric for example. Adjust the tension to get both the top and bobbin threads meeting in the middle of the fabric layers. (Increase the needle thread tension - rotate to a higher number but go in 0.5 increments.)

Then you have near the motor area the stitch width and length knobs. The width is only for zigzag stitches. A long stitch length is good for a temporary seam (like basting in a zipper or hem) before you finish that area. However, the width and length should be adjusted depending on the fabric. A fine fabric needs a smaller stitch, usually. The knob on the right side of the machine is the balance wheel (or hand wheel). This adjusts the needle height so that you can have the needle out of the way while changing the bobbin, for example.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(I use the Singer Sewing Book as a reference for tension issues.)

I would suggest having the machine checked, there could be something wrong with the computer.

Any quality sewing thread - Coats & Clarks is the most readily available.

Never use hand quilting thread or button thread as it is glazed and that is not good for the tension mechanism.

You can use machine embroidery thread for the decorative stitches. Base a tear away stabilizer under the area you will be stitching. This will help keep the fabric from distorting and the stitches uniform.

Test all the features before applying to a project.

Not sure if you are doing embroidery w /a hoop and all, which I don't do but I have lots of decorative stiches . Ytp lacing some tear away interfacing below the fabric you are going to sew. Most stitches come out top to bottom. Say I have an alligator option. Image will be about 1 1/2 inch , Try it on a piece of scrap fabric to start. I used muslin and the tear away bnacking to stabilize the design on lettering and patters.Also use good thread. I like Guttermans. Coat and Clark / Sulky are very fine and snag and tear easily. Good luck. Keep trying. The design you sew will show on both sides , so if you do not want that you will have to add another level of fabric to the backside after completing the design. Hope that makes sense.

If the top stitch is loose, then you need to tighten the bobbin tension: if the bottom stitch is loose, tighten the top tension. Hope this helps. It could also be the size needle and thread you are using for a particular fabric. Different fabrics require different notions.