Top stitch tension looping, underneath stitch is ...

YOur top thread is looping, right? Re-thread your top thread, making sure you floss it into the tension system. When you drop the pressed foot it should offer tension to the thread. Right? When you have underside loops it would indicate too much thread, right? So either the tension is too low OR something is jerking on the top thread causing a loop.

Ok, Let's understand exactly what is going on. You said. "the top stitch is loose." So that we are clear....do you mean that you are getting loops on top of the seam? Or do you mean that you are getting wiggly stitches on top and small loops on the bottom of the seam? It's important to know... Because loops underneath means the top tension isn't right. Maybe you didn't thread with the presser foot in the UP position... or your tension is dialed too low.

Now, if you are getting loops on top of the seam... that means the top tension is too tight. Loosen the top tension. Make sure your bobbin is inserted correctly. If loosening top tension isn't enough, you may have to tighten the tension screw on the bobbin case/ or bobbin carrier.

top tension is too loose,check threading up and tension dial. should be on 4-6. read manual and if possible clean tension device. if it is accessible you turn dial to zero and "floss" between tension discs using selvage edge of clean piece of cotton fabric. you can moisten it with denatured alcohol if very dirty. thread sheds dye particles, especially black or cheaper threads. needs to be removed regularly to keep tension discs clean. turn back dial to 5 after and thread up again. often this will resolve the problem

Hello

Adjust the tension

Load your sewing machine with one color on top, threaded through the needle. Load the second color thread into the bobbin and thread.


Fold the scrap fabric in half, and sew a straight stitch at least 2 inches long. Look closely at the seam. If you see loops of the bottom color thread on top of the fabric, proceed to Step 3. If you see loops of the top color thread on the bottom of the fabric, proceed to step 4.


Loosen the top tension. Since the top tension is so tight, it is pulling the bottom thread up through the fabric. Loosen the top tension by turning the numbered knob on the front of the sewing machine counterclockwise by one number.


Tighten the top tension. Since the top tension is too loose, the bottom thread is pulling the top thread down through the fabric. Tighten the top tension by turning the numbered knob on the front of the sewing machine clockwise by one number.


Sew a straight stitch 3 inches in length. Check the stitching. It is perfect if the threads meet in the middle, and you can only see the top thread on top and the bottom thread on bottom. If it still needs adjusting, go back to step 2 to repeat the needed steps.


Using two different colored threads makes it easier for you to see which thread is being pulled.

Always use proper precautions when working with electrical machines.

no, more likely your top tension is too loose causing the loops on the underside of your fabric, loops on top would be bobbin too loose. raise presser foot and rethread top thdead pulling thread into tension fully. set top tension dial to 5 and test sew. if still looping underneath try tightening top tension by turning dial up to 6. but usually top tension should only need minor adjustment tweeks. you can test top tension by lowering pressure foot to engage tension and holding thread just above needle thread guide, pulling thread downwards . there should be resistence on it to your pull. if you cant feel any then tension device may be faulty, and require service.

I always adjust my overlocker stitch in several ways. I start test serging with the blade set right out to the right so that it "fills" the stitching. I'll set all the thread dials to the middle setting, ie. 5. Then I test serge, and check the stitch formation. If the needle is looping underneath, then I'll tighten it "A LITTLE". If the looper threads are lying off the cut edge of the fabric, then I'll dial both the top and bottom looper numbers up a little to make those threads tighter.

Each fabric behaves differently depending on its "hand" so the right stitch settings do vary, ie. organza is different to heavy weight cotton or denim. So if my inital setting is then "bunching" up the fabric within the stitching, I will then lower the numbers for the top and bottom looper to release the thread some. And if the fabric is very soft and light and still bunches up, then I will move the blade over to the left some, cutting a narrower edge within the overlocking so the threads lie better.

So revist the settings, check that the cones are flowing freely, thread is into the tension devices fully, then retest the stitching. If it is the top looper only that is looping off the edge, and not the bottom as well, and they are both set to the same number, then I'd be a bit suss about the tension dial.

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

Hi, check that the thread tension knob makes only one rotation from 0 to 9 and stops at each ends, see that it moves in and out as you increase or decrease the tention, see that the small tension wire to the left of the knob is still in place, in any of these fail you need to replace/repair that assembly.

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.