Loose stitches on bottom

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.

You bobbin tension CAN be adjusted. First, thread your machine with different colors in the top and bobbin, set your top tension at its default, and run a line of straight, and then a line of zigzag stitches, and compare the results at the top and bottom. You will be adjusting your bobbin to your top tension. If the top tension looks like a straight line instead of stitching and the zigzag looks like "chicken tracks" instead of a zigzag, but the bottom looks like a zigzag, your bobbin tension is too loose.

Remove the bobbin case, and locate the straight-slot screw. There are generally two; one is a Phillips and one is straight--you want the straight one. Leave the other alone.

The rule is "lefty-loosy, righty-tighty." If your stitching displays the above symptoms, it needs to be tightened, so turn 1/4 turn to the right--no more--then test again. You will need patience, but don't turn more than that. It is easy to do, but if you don't do it systematically, you can make things worse, and very slight adjustments can alter the stitching significantly.

Make sure you have the pressure foot UP before threading your top thread through the tension assembly. See if that helps.

Hi, if stitches are off, there is a problem with balance between the upper and lower stitch adjustments. You have to tweak these. Also, make sure there is no lint in the bobbin case area or under the feeddogs. Here is an excellent blog for 237 Fashion Mate owners. You are lucky to have one of these from the 1960's. http://blog.sew-classic.com/2010/02/02/singer-237-fashion-mate-sewing-machine-reveiw.aspx
Happy Sewing!

This usually happens when the bobbin is wound incorrectly or has been over-filled. Take 1/2 the thread off the bobbin or if you need to wind a new one, only wind it halfway. Replace the bobbin and be sure that the thread is in the correct direction and fed through correctly. Bring the bobbin thread up before you start sewing.

1. Make sure your needle is correct for the fabric. Go buy some good needles in several sizes. You'll need a 90 for jeans, rounded points for fine fabrics... get a few sizes. Your manual should provided you with clues to the right needle for the fabrics. (BTW... there really is no such thing as a Universal Needle... toss it.)

2. Re-read your manual and carefully follow the instructions on threading the bobbin and the upper thread...

3. Check your tension on the upper thread... it is too loose for the application. The tension on the bottom thread is handled by a spring on your bobbin case or race. If you do not have that threaded properly you'll have problems. Same with the direction the bobbin turns... have in it backwards... problems.

Barring all these things... It might be time for a qualified Singer repair person to look at it. Sadly Singer has seriously lowered it's standards in the last 20 years.

You might try adjusting your bobbin. You can do this with a tiny flat head screwdriver. Adjust in very small increments! There is a screw located on your bobbin case.

Here is the info directly from the manual:
"To test if the bobbin thread tension is correct, suspend the bobbin case by the thread and **** it once. Correct bobbin tension will result in the thread unwinding by only one or two inches. If too loose it will unwind continuously. If too tight, the thread will not unwind at all. When adjusting the tension on the bobbin case, make only slight adjustments with a screwdriver."

That is usually the cause of garbled up threads on the bottom side. Sure hope this helps!
(The 132Q is my third Singer, but will be my last. It's been a nightmare to deal with, and ALWAYS has something going wrong with it. I can never just sit down and do a project.... it is like the settings never stay put. There is also a LOT of plastic inside this model, and it cracks, breaks, warps, etc. We've replaced plastic gears/parts with metal parts, and it still acts up. Just a lemon model!)

You are adjusting the bobbin the wrong way, first make sure the top tension is about 4 or 5, slacken the bobbin tension off about a quarter of a turn at a time until you can just pul;l the thread through with slight resistence

pucker is caused by too loose or, to tight adjustment of: the thread tensioners both the bobbin tensioner and, the needle tensioner need to be adjusted: to adjust the needle tensioner turn the side knob clockwise is tighter counterclockwise loosens; the bobbin tensioner is a tiny screw on the bobbin holder adjust both tensioners until your stich loops' both top and, bottom are tight but, the machine does not break the thread

Could be a tension issue.

Try this to see if it helps:
Remove top thread.
ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot and rethread from the beginning.
Start the top tension set at the midway point and then adjust.
Check that the bobbin is threaded and installed correctly.

Understanding Thread Tension Threads

Sewing Lesson 10 How to Fix Tension on Your Sewing Machine