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Carol Pearce Posted on Jul 01, 2019
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I have a Bernina 1300mdc. I am using the coverstitch. It is tunneling. I have adjusted the tension for the thread to no avail. Would it help to adjust the coverstitch tension knob?

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Irene Tulloch

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  • Posted on Jul 01, 2019
Irene Tulloch
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It might, but note how you adjust so that you can put it back to the original position. Perhaps your fabric is very light and needs more pressure to stop tunnelling.

5 Related Answers

bargainbox

Hassy

  • 1388 Answers
  • Posted on Feb 24, 2008

SOURCE: how do I know which tension to adjust?

Are you sure that a stitch is being created each time, or is it missing some....

On a scrap, sew a zigzag to ensure that at least the stitches are being formed, if not, or missing some, look to timing.

This solution is for tension problems...if you cannot form any sort of stitch, the issue is quite different, so please let me know if you need a different problem solved.....

It is quite long, but just work through each section in order.
The "knotting up" can reveal a lot. If you have loose threads on one side or the other, the tension on the opposite side will be the culprit.

QUICK SUMMARY FIRST:
Ensure sharp new needle,
Thread guides and Bobbin are Clean & Clear of lint
Set Top Tesion to 4 ....then....
Balance Bobbin to suit.

TOP THREAD TENSION:
If the looping threads are on the underside as you sew, it is the top tension. Top tension ought to be between 4 & 6 (this variation to allow for the different weights of fabric in your
projects).

IS YOUR NEEDLE SHARP ?
If you are using a needle that has seen quite a deal of work, or you suspect it may be blunt, change it for a new one !

TOP TENSION & GUIDES:
Make sure that when you thread the machine the presser foot is up so the thread goes between the discs and not to one side, top tension between 4 and 6, and that you have threaded through all the guides, including the last one, usually on the needle arm, just above the needle clamp.

It may be there is lint trapped between the discs, this will keep them slightly apart and reduce the actual tension, sometimes dramatically.

If tensions appear correct, and the thread is definitely in the channel between the discs, but still too loose and looping, try raising presser foot and remove your thread.

Now, with a 2" (50mm) wide strip piece of fabric 8 - 10" (20 - 25cm) moistened with methylated or denatured spirit, gently insert the fabric strip and clean between the discs with
a see saw / to and fro action.

In the worst cases, gentle use of a needle to pick & remove the jam may be necessary, but be very gentle and make sure the tension is set at Zero and the presser foot is raised, (to
disengage tension plates).... do not gouge or score the plates, they need a polished surface to work correctly.

BOBBIN TENSION:
Far less common, but if the loose threads are on the top, it is bobbin tension that is loose, it too may have lint in the spring and be giving a "false" tension.

I would not recommend fiddling with bobbin tension without good reason, it may end up with missing small screws and spring pieces, however, you can take the needle plate off to clean
the hook race area (where bobbin case sits)

...this is just good housekeeping, my wife does this every time she replaces the bobbin....

just take it out and clean the bobbin case and the fixed metal hook race with a small brush to remove lint. If there is a significant amount of lint, use a vacuum and small brush to get the worst.

Then wipe all this area with a cloth or cotton bud (Q tip) moistened (not soaked) with methylated spirit, especially if there appears to be fine dirty deposits....oil and lint combine to conspire against you.

If it seems likely that you ......really ....do .....actually .....need .....to adjust the bobbin case, first check there is no lint trapped in the metal spring where the thread is tensioned.

TOP LOADER:
Drop-in Bobbin case will look similar to this image with the tension screw in the middle of the metalwork....

4c76dc1.jpg ...the other screw at one end is holding it all together, so beware....it is not a tragedy to undo the whole lot and clean it, but very gingerly and lay the bits out in sequence and orientation, or you risk tearing your hair out !

FRONT LOADER:
....this is a bobbin case from a front loading machine and works in a very similar fashion to the top loader with drop in bobbin, again, if you dismantle it, take care so you can put it all
back properly.
165ca5c.jpg FINISHING UP
GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT:
When you are certain there's no trapped lint in top tension or bobbin, set the top tension to 4 and the bobbin tension to a point where you just begin to feel resistance.

Try using good quality thread of contrasting colours so you can more easily spot the changes.

Set your zigzag to one width less than maximum (eg. 5 of 6 ...or... 4 of 5 etc) and sew a sample for a few inches and check the result.... adjust the bobbin tension screw very little at
a time, perhaps 1/16 of a turn.

You may find you are playing with this balance for some little while and if you are putting the needleplate on and off each time begin to think it cannot be correct to do this.....BUT....it is,
and eventually, you do get a "feel" for the correct tension and then it happens quite quickly.....as a user you won't be doing it very often unless there is lint built up (or are there small hands at work around the house !?!?!)

OTHER ISSUES:
If you live near the ocean as we do, salt air can play havoc with metalwork inside and out, so to help minimise this, keep a few small packets of dessicant (silica gel) in your machine
case....no case ? then make some sort of cover !

Same applies in any damp or humid environment, keep your machine dry and dust free.

Budget for a proper full service every couple of years (more often if heavily used) and if you don't use your machine for a few years, be aware that old oil will dry out and combining with
dust and form a "clag" like glue (another reason for some sort of cover, even a teatowel !)

FINALLY, A WORD ON THREAD:
If it is worth spending the time, energy and money on making something that you would like to give lasting enjoyment......use quality thread, .......it may seem to cost a little more at the
time, but the results, ease of use and added longevity will be worth the extra, and as a bonus, your tension troubles may be fewer and further between, because there is a more consistant diameter with good thread, and less compensating to be done by your tension plates and less thread breaks !

If you want any more help with this, just post back here, or, drop a line through the "Contact Us" page at www.bargainbox.com.au

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RickE1

Rick

  • 202 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 29, 2008

SOURCE: My machine Bernina 830 does not run.

Rose, most likely your machine is gummed up and needs oiling. A product called Tri-Flow is best. It can be purchased at most any hardware store. Or just use normal sewing machine oil. Open the top and put a fair amount of oil down behind the knobs and let it soak in. As it soaks just wiggle the knobs or turn them little by little back and forth until they free up. Don't force anything as something will break.
Good luck

bargainbox

Hassy

  • 1388 Answers
  • Posted on May 01, 2009

SOURCE: janome 9500 bobbin tension too tight can I adjust it

Please TRY the solution BEFORE giving your considered rating.
Specific detail on bobbin case adjustment (with picture) near halfway down reply, the remainder will help you achieve a balance of top and bottom tensions.

Ensure that all is clean and free of lint and jams, this is the most likely cause....now for tension troubleshooting .......

This solution is for tension problems...if you cannot form any sort of stitch, the issue is quite different, so please let me know if you need a different problem solved.....

It is quite long, but just work through each section in order.

The "knotting up" can reveal a lot. If you have loose threads on one side or the other, the tension on the opposite side will be the culprit.

QUICK SUMMARY FIRST:
Ensure sharp new needle, 
Thread guides and Bobbin are Clean & Clear of lint
Set Top Tesion to 4 ....then....
Balance Bobbin to suit.

TOP THREAD TENSION:
If the looping threads are on the underside as you sew, it is the top tension. Top tension ought to be between 4 & 6 (this variation to allow for the different weights of fabric in your projects). 

IS YOUR NEEDLE SHARP ?
If you are using a needle that has seen quite a deal of work, or you suspect it may be blunt, change it for a new one !

TOP TENSION & GUIDES:
Make sure that when you thread the machine the presser foot is up so the thread goes between the discs and not to one side, top tension between 4 and 6, and that you have threaded through all the guides, including the last one, usually on the needle arm, just above the needle clamp.

It may be there is lint trapped between the discs, this will keep them slightly apart and reduce the actual tension, sometimes dramatically.

If tensions appear correct, and the thread is definitely in the channel between the discs, but still too loose and looping, try raising presser foot and remove your thread.

Now, with a 2" (50mm) wide strip piece of fabric 8 - 10" (20 - 25cm) moistened with methylated or denatured spirit, gently insert the fabric strip and clean between the discs with a see saw / to and fro action.

In the worst cases, gentle use of a needle to pick & remove the jam may be necessary, but be very gentle and make sure the tension is set at Zero and the presser foot is raised, (to disengage tension plates).... do not gouge or score the plates, they need a polished surface to work correctly.

BOBBIN TENSION:
Far less common, but if the loose threads are on the top, it is bobbin tension that is loose, it too may have lint in the spring and be giving a "false" tension. 

I would not recommend fiddling with bobbin tension without good reason, it may end up with missing small screws and spring pieces, however, you can take the needle plate off to clean 
the hook race area (where bobbin case sits) 

...this is just good housekeeping, my wife does this every time she replaces the bobbin....

just take it out and clean the bobbin case and the fixed metal hook race with a small brush to remove lint. If there is a significant amount of lint, use a vacuum and small brush to get the worst.

Then wipe all this area with a cloth or cotton bud (Q tip) moistened (not soaked) with methylated spirit, especially if there appears to be fine dirty deposits....oil and lint combine to conspire against you.

If it seems likely that you ......really ....do .....actually .....need .....to adjust the bobbin case, first check there is no lint trapped in the metal spring where the thread is tensioned. 

TOP LOADER:
Drop-in Bobbin case will look similar to this image with the tension screw in the middle of the metalwork....

4c76dc1.jpg ...the other screw at one end is holding it all together, so beware....it is not a tragedy to undo the whole lot and clean it, but very gingerly and lay the bits out in sequence and orientation, or you risk tearing your hair out !

FRONT LOADER:
....this is a bobbin case from a front loading machine and works in a very similar fashion to the top loader with drop in bobbin, again, if you dismantle it, take care so you can put it all 
back properly.
165ca5c.jpg FINISHING UP
GETTING THE BALANCE RIGHT:
When you are certain there's no trapped lint in top tension or bobbin, set the top tension to 4 and the bobbin tension to a point where you just begin to feel resistance.

Try using good quality thread of contrasting colours so you can more easily spot the changes.

Set your zigzag to one width less than maximum (eg. 5 of 6 ...or... 4 of 5 etc) and sew a sample for a few inches and check the result.... adjust the bobbin tension screw very little at 
a time, perhaps 1/16 of a turn.

You may find you are playing with this balance for some little while and if you are putting the needleplate on and off each time begin to think it cannot be correct to do this.....BUT....it is, 
and eventually, you do get a "feel" for the correct tension and then it happens quite quickly.....as a user you won't be doing it very often unless there is lint built up (or are there small hands at work around the house !?!?!)

OTHER ISSUES:
If you live near the ocean as we do, salt air can play havoc with metalwork inside and out, so to help minimise this, keep a few small packets of dessicant (silica gel) in your machine 
case....no case ? then make some sort of cover ! 

Same applies in any damp or humid environment, keep your machine dry and dust free.

Budget for a proper full service every couple of years (more often if heavily used) and if you don't use your machine for a few years, be aware that old oil will dry out and combining with 
dust and form a "clag" like glue (another reason for some sort of cover, even a teatowel !)

FINALLY, A WORD ON THREAD:
If it is worth spending the time, energy and money on making something that you would like to give lasting enjoyment......use quality thread, .......it may seem to cost a little more at the 
time, but the results, ease of use and added longevity will be worth the extra, and as a bonus, your tension troubles may be fewer and further between, because there is a more consistent diameter with good thread, and less compensating to be done by your tension plates and less thread breaks !
 
 

www.bargainbox.com.au 

Anonymous

  • 9 Answers
  • Posted on Jul 17, 2009

SOURCE: burnette 65 bobbin tangling can't adjust thread tension

Have you replaced the needle with a new one? Your needle may be bent or in wrong, or the wrong size. You may have a bad needle. Check that the upper thread path is running freely and is not tangled or wrapped around anything. Make sure that the bobbin is unwinding in the correct direction as well, most bobbins, this is clockwise as the bobbin faces you. If you are using inexpensive thread, it could be the thread that is the culprit. Uneven thread in the needle will not flow through the needle properly, and cause bunching as well. Save it for the bobbin, and use good thread in the top.

Anonymous

  • 1116 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 29, 2010

SOURCE: how do i adjust the bobbin thread tension?

Refer to page 15 of the manual - http://www.singerco.com/accessories/manuals.html

Before changing the tension settings, be sure to thead the machine with the presser foot up as this also has a tremendous effect on the tension and formation of the stitch.

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I can’t get the tension on my Bernina 65 correctly set. There are three dials on the top that I find no reference for in the directions. PLease help

The manual for the Bernina Bernette 65 are available from the manufacturer here: https://www.bernina.com/getdoc/6d2754b8-af09-4edb-a6a6-7a4c57965b8d/bernette-55-65-80e-90e . The three dials, from left to right, are thread tension, stitch length, and stitch width (page 9, page 12 of the PDF). See page 24 (page 42 of th ePDF for the pictures of the appearance of the correct tension versus the incorrect top thread tension. For best tension testing, use different color top and bobbin threads. Do use the same thread type and needle appropriate for your fabric and use scrap from that same fabric. In general, if the top thread is visible on the under side of the stitched fabric, increase the tension (turn the dial to a higher number). If the bobbin thread is visible on the top of the fabric, reduce the tension (lower number). Make sure that the machine is properly threaded. (Make sure that the presser foot was up during threading and is raised when you adjust the tension dial.) Start with the tension at 4 and change the tension in small steps. (Do not turn the dial more by 0.5 before stitching a line to test the tension again. You want to avoid over-correcting.) When the tension is correct, the top and bobbin threads will meet between the two layers of fabric for a normal seam.

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells
(These steps are the same for any sewing machine with user tension adjustments.)
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What does dcet stand for on the Bernina 2500 overlocker /serger?


Features:
  • Needle Threader
  • Needle Up/Down Setting
  • Adjustable Stitch Length and Width
  • Adjustable Presser Foot Pressure
  • 3 Thread Serger
  • 4 Thread Serger
  • 5 Thread Serger
  • Differential Feed
  • Coverstitch
  • Rolled Hem
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Brother Sewing Machine CS-6000iNeed instruction:using double needle.Tension issues:Thread underneath is very loopy no matter what tension setting,top threads have missed stitches.

Try removing the top threads completely from the machine.
ALWAYS RAISE the presser foot== this allows the threads to seat fully in the tension disk. Thread one thread completely, then thread the other thread making sure to run it through the other tension disk (if your machine has divided tension disks).
Set the tension to the midway point.
Insert fabric, lower the presser foot, and retest. Adjust the top tension as needed,. If tunneling occurs between the two top threads and adjusting the top tension doesn't fix it, you may need to adjust the bobbin tension. However, before changing bobbin tension, I would try including tear-away or tissue paper with the fabric to add body to prevent the tunneling.

sewing with twin needle Google Search
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I have Bernia 180. The bottom thread is puckering. Top thread is perfect. I cannot find help in manual. Please help

Check that the bobbin is inserted turning the proper direction in the bobbin case and that the thread is threaded correctly through the tension control on the bobbin case.

Make sure the upper thread is threaded correctly. The factory standard upper tension setting is midway between high & lower number although this may need to be tweaked for your particular machine.

If the machine is still pulling the bobbin thread too tight, you can try tightening the upper thread tension. If it still isn't resolved, you may need to loosen the bobbin tension.

You might also want to check the presser foot pressure on your machine. That generally needs adjustment when changing from thicker to thinner fabric and vice versa.

Manual: BERNINA artista 180 Support BERNINA

Bobbin Tension How and Why Tension is Adjusted

Understanding Bobbin Tension

Understanding Thread Tension Threads

How can properly adjust my tension

Sewing Lesson 10 How to Fix Tension on Your Sewing Machine

...

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What should I pay for a Bernina 1300dc. It has been used once and stored in a box for years. All parts, manual are included.

Take a look on amazon for Bernina sewing machines... You can find there various prices (100% cheapest on the net). Here: . Amazon com bernina sewing machines. I hope this was helpful. Cheers
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Coverstitch tensions to tight

Coverstitch machines are very particular when it comes to thread. Use only MaxiLock cone thread. Do not use TruSew or SureLock thread. This can make the difference between working beautifully or not at all.

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Coverstitch

Cut all the threads above the tension disks and pull them all out. Then rethread from the very beginning making sure to thread in the Proper Order.
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