Kenmore Drop-In Bobbin 16231 Mechanical Sewing Machine Logo
Posted on Nov 03, 2009
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How do I adjust the bottom thread the stitches are too loose?

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Harjeet Singh

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  • Expert 109 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 03, 2009
Harjeet Singh
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Joined: Oct 23, 2009
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If stitches on top is loose then remove bobbin case and tighten small screw on it. if stitches on bottom of fabric is loose then tighten top thread tension.

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1answer

Bottom thread is still loose even if i try to balance the tension, how do i balance the thread tension?

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.
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The bottom stitch is very loose. I've tried tightening and loosening the screw and the problem remains...HELP!

The bottom stitch is affected by the TOP thread tension :) First go back and make sure your bobbin tension is correct since you adjusted it. It should drop slightly when held suspended by danging it by the thread. If it reels out to the floor it is too loose. If it doesn't drop at all it is too tight.

Now that you have that adjusted look at your top tension. If it is loopy on the bottom side of the stitch the TOP tension is too loose. Increase the top tension.

Now take some scrap material and set machine to a wide zig zag, medium length stitch and sew a bit. Compare the top and the bottom sides of the stitch. They should look identical. Remember the TOP side effects the bottom and the BOTTOM tension effects the top side. Adjust accordingly until they look identical with no loose threads or loops and no puckering (puckering means it's too tight).
4helpful
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The thread underneath when sewing is too loosed

Usually thread too loose on the bottom is caused by the upper tension being too loose. The top and bottom tensions work together with the top thread making the underside of the stitch seem too taunt or too loose and the bobbin thread causing the top side of the stitch to be loopy or too tight. Select a large zig zag stick and sew a couple of inches. Then examine the stitch. It should look identical on both sides. Look to see which side is drawn too tight, the zig zag being smaller on that side with threads from the bottom threads pulled through. Then adjust the two tensions so that they make a uniform, identical stitch.

Also, when the bobbin tension is right you can hold the bobbin dangling by the thread and it won't spool out to the floor but will let loose a bit with a slight flick of the wrist. Too loose it will just spool out. Too tight and it won't drop at all. When you get that set right then do the above zig zag test to see where the top tension should be set.
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Top stitche is to tight and bottom stitche is to loose

Meaning you have adjusted the tension for the top thread as well as the bobbin?

Use two distinct colors of thread - one for the top and one for the bottom.

Thread the machine with the presser foot up.

The two threads should meet in the middle of the stitch with neither obvious on the opposite side of the seam.

Set the top thread tension to 4 and adjust the bobbin as needed.
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Pfaff varimatic 6091 sew a rag quilt with jean and flannel,I can't get my tension right it seems to be funny on the bottom stitch,where shoulf the top tension be set at 4 1/2 ,when do I adjust the bobbin...

Hi! The bobbin tension rarely needs to be adjusted. First, make sure you're using the appropriate size needle and thread for your fabric (I'd probably use either a 'denim' needle or a universal size 14) and also that the upper thread and bobbin are threaded absolutely correctly. These can throw off the tension! Also, take the time to clean out the bobbin area. That can throw your stitch off also.

If the stitch on the bottom is loose, so that you see the top threads, then the top tension is too loose. If the top stitch is too loose and you see the bobbin threads on top, then the top tension is too tight.

It helps to thread the machine with different color thread on top and in the bobbin, and then stitch an inch or so on the same type of fabric as you're using in your quilt. Check the stitch. If you need to adjust the top tension, make sure the pressure foot is down! Adjust a little, stitch a few inches, and check again. Repeat until you don't see any (or very little) bobbin thread on the top or top thread on the bottom.

If you go through all these steps, and the bobbin thread is still loose (and you've tightened up the top tension), then there is a tiny little screw on the side of the bobbin case that you can use to adjust the bobbin tension. Turn the screw just a little bit (less than a quarter turn), stitch, check, etc. Once the bobbin tension is set, you shouldn't ever have to change it.

Let me know if this helps, ok?

Happy sewing!




1helpful
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How to adjust tension on bottom stitch?

There are tow places where the thread tension is adjusted.

One is bobbin. This is not routinely adjusted. Just once and it is good for long time. This is done by turning the only screw on bobbin by about 1/4 turn or so at a time. Try several settings until you find he best.

the other place is the conventionally on body of the machine.

Tension of bottom stitch or top stitch are very confusing words. meaning difft things to difft pple.
All i can say is this. If u see bottom stitch run straight through loops of top thread. then either top tension is too loose or bottom too tight. and vise versa.

With top tension set to middle position adjust the bobbin to get correct stitch. Then later on all u need is to adjust only the top setting according to stitch and cloth


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Sewing machine stitches upside down!

Sounds like you may need to have the tensions adjusted. If the bobbin thread is showing on top, the bobbin tension may be too loose. If the top thread shows underneath, the top tension is probably too loose. Since you are having both problems, perhaps a technician should take a look at it.
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Loose stitches on bottom

FYI.. Loops on the bottom, problem is on the top..
Loops on the top, broblem is with the bobbin.
1helpful
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Singer 221-1 stitching is good on bottom but not on top

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
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