I cannot get tight tension on zigzag underneath stitch on my singer 3221

It will straight stitch but drops one side of zigzag? Could be, in most probable order...

1. Needle is bent
2. Needle not properly inserted into holder
3. Top thread tension to high
4. Top thread uneven feed
5. Hook is bent
6. Hook timing.
7. Needle bar not secure

It could be the that top tension is not tight enough. It could also be that you have used an adhesive on a fabric, and the needle has gummed up. Change your needle first, then try adjusting the top tension.

check that the bobbin underneath has the same thread as the upper bobbin and that you push all the way on the lever when sewing back and also, go full speed as this happened to me and that was my mistake. Hope this will help you :)

Your bobbin tension needs adjusting, and although it is not hard to do and doesn't require that you take the machine apart, you MUST do it systematically. If you don't, you'll make things worse.

First, download the user's manual from the Singer site if you don't have one. On page 20, you'll see a discussion regarding tensions, and what improper tension looks like. Tension is a balance between the top and bobbin.

Then, using scrap fabric, set your top tension on Auto and make sure your needle is all the way up in the clamp. Run a line of straight stitches, and next to it, run a line of zigzag stitches, maybe four inches, and examine it. The illustration on that page will show you what your straight stitches SHOULD look like. If your zigzag stitches show one side that looks like "chicken tracks" but the other side looks like it should, the chicken tracks side is too tight. In your case, if the bobbin is too loose, the top will look like chicken tracks. It helps a lot to use two different thread colors, as well as a third for the fabric.

To adjust the bobbin tension, you will need a tiny straight blade screwdriver. If you have an indication that the bobbin side stitches are too loose, take the bobbin case out of the machine and locate two screws on the side. One is a Phillips--don't touch it. The one on the left of the Phillips is a straight-slot screw--that's the one you want. The saying is "lefty loosey, righty tighty." If your test indicates the bobbin tension is indeed too loose (which can happen over time), you need to tighten it by turning the screw 1/4 (ONLY) turn to the right (righty-tighty). Test again. You should see at least some improvement to indicate you're on the right track, and repeat--turning ONLY 1/4 turn--until your top and bottom tension are balanced. Don't forget to also test with a zigzag; I have adjusted bobbin tensions in the past that looked OK on the straight stitch, but the zigzag indicated I wasn't quite there yet.

try adjusting the top thread tension one number or letter higher
and sew on a scrap piece of fabric till the stitches look normal.

Your description isn't very clear. When you say the "bottom stitch is using too much thread" Do you mean you see lots of loopy threads on top of the seam? Or do you mean you see loops on the bottom under the fabric? If your loops on the bottom, that means the top tension is too loose, you've not remembered to put the presser foot down, you have not threaded the top thread properly... Start by rethreading carefully with the presser foot UP. Then do a test stitch, remembering to put the presser foot down. If you still get loops underneath... tighten the tension.

If your loops are on the top of the fabric. loosen the top tension... then do a test seam... and if you still have loops loosen again and repeat. If you start to see loops on the bottom... tighten the tension a bit.

Good luck

Check your top tension. It sounds like it may be too loose or the bobbin tension may be way too tight. Most likely it is the top tension that is incorrect though. The TOP tension effects the bottom side of the stitch and the bottom tension effects the top. If the top tension isn't tight enough it won't draw the thread up through the top side taunt enough and the excess underneath makes a big loopy mess.

Hi Lou! This sounds like a tension problem--the tension on the top thread is too loose. Try using different color threads on the top and bobbin, then carefully rethread everything. Stitch a couple of inches and check the underside. If the top stitches look fine and the bottom ones are loose and loopy, and with the pressure foot down, tighten the tension. Move the knob or dial (whichever you have) just a little bit. Sew a couple of inches more, and recheck. Continue to sew and recheck, gradually tightening the tension, until you see little if any bobbin thread on the top or top thread on the underside of the fabric.

Let me know if this helps, ok?


Robbie

increase top thread tension slowly till u get similar stitches on both sides

Your top tensioner is too loose.make sure the thread runs through all the relevant eyes and then tighten the top tension little by little as you do a sample few stitches.