The stitches are really tight

The knob on the outside of your sewing machine will adjust the stitch length. I never have used mine set lower then between a 4 and 5. Anything lower then that makes stitches too small. Even though the machine will say 5 is for base stitching I always use that.
Now 6ou have to remember though that if you set it on 4 or 5 length you may have to adjust your bobbin tension also.
If you get loops on your top thread then you need to adjust your bottom tension since the bottom thread is to tight then.
good luck

If the bottom thread is tight there should also be loops on top and this means that the upper tension is too tight.
Get out your manual (http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/1198_8763-efs.pdf) and turn to page 24. Under "ADJUSTING TOP THREAD TENSION" it tells you that if you're having thread tension issues, change the tension control dial on the top of your machine from auto. It also shows you a diagram with your problem illustrated on the right side of the page. The bobbin tension is set at the factory, so all tension problems can be solved with top tension adjustment. Set it manually and if it loops on top, loosen the tension a little. Test again. Repeat until loops are gone.
Using different colours on top and bobbin and a contrasting fabric (e.g. black top, white bottom, light blue fabric) means you can easily see what's happening. A perfect stitch is when you see exactly the same stitch pattern on both sides of the fabric. On top, the bobbin thread colour appears between stitches as a tiny dot and on the bottom, you see the top thread dot between stitches.
If it's impossible to get the tension right, take it to a technician, because it's a sign that the hook timing needs attention.

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

Think in opposites... the top stitch is formed by the bottom thread tension and the bottom of the stitch by the top. So either the bobbin thread is too tight or the top thread is too loose. Check the bobbin thread first as that is the one most overlook. It should come out of the bobbin without having to yank it hard but it should have a little resistance.

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.

Hi! Sounds like you're doing everything right to me, so let's see.

By not getting a straight stitch on the bottom, do you mean that the bobbin thread is loopy? If so, then most likely you have to reset the tension. Get a scrap of jeans material and practice on that....it would be great if you could use different color threads on top and in the bobbin, but that might not be practical if you don't have the jeans thread in different colors already.

You'll be adjusting the top tension, because even tho the top stitch looks perfect, it may not be tight enough to pull the bobbin thread up into the fabric where it belongs.

Sew a couple of inches on your scrap, then stop and check the bobbin thread. If it's loopy, you can also see the top thread on the underside. (Which is why using two colors is helpful.) With the pressure foot down, tightened the top tension just a bit. Sew a few more inches and check again. Keep on sewing, checking, and adjusting until you can't see any (or almost any) top threads on the bottom or bobbin threads on top.

Here are a couple of other ideas to check:

1. Make sure your bobbin is inserted correctly. If I happen to put one in backwards by mistake, the bobbin will make a lot of clanking noises.

2. Using your flywheel, lower the needle all the way through the stitch-making process to see if it's hitting anything along the way.

3. Oil your machine.

4. Make sure all the screws etc on your throat plate (also called needle plate) are tight. (I've had mine get loose and that will definitely throw a knock into the works!)

Check out these ideas and let me know if anything works, or if the problem is still there, ok?

Happy Sewing!

Robbie

This is usually caused by the machine being out of sync. The first thing I would try is a brand new needle. Even a slightly bent needle can cause this problem. Make sure the needle is in correctly and tight. Next make sure you treaded the machine correctly, making sure that thread goes into the top tension properly. The top tension should be calibrated to be in the middle. I would slowly turn the handle making sure the stitch looks proper. From there try tightening or loosening the tension until the loops on the underside start to get smaller until they look tight but not too tight or you'll start breaking the top thread.
I would use a standard 14 needle with some standard medium weight cotton to calibrate the unit.
Hope this helps. Let me know your results

Simple solution..
take the thread off your machine, set your tension to the middle setting. rethread your machine up to the needle. before threading the needle, put your presser foot down. If your thread pulls hard, then the machine is threaded right. If it pulls easily, you need to chead the thread thru the tension wheel.
Kelley

Rule of thumb.
Loops on the bottom, problem on the top.
Loops on the top, problem is on the bottom.

Welcome to FixYa! I am the sewing machine expert that chose to help you with your issue.

There are really only two things that can cause bottom (note: remember that problems with the bottom thread, almost always comes from the top and not the bobbin. Bobbins rarely need tension adjustments). These two things are:

1. An area was missed when the machine was threaded (most machines have an arrow at each area on the thread path where the thread MUST run or the stitch on the bottom will be sloppy. Threading can be tricky and even the most experienced miss once in a while.
2. The tension adjustment mechanism in the thread path. If the thread is not properly through this area, the thread on the bottom will be sloppy or if, threaded properly, and the tension is set too loose, the stitch will be sloppy. If the tension is set too tight, the bottom thread will be tight and pucker the fabric.

It is counter-intuitive that problems with the top tension cause problems with the bottom stitch but it sure will.

So try it and see if that helps.

Thanks for using FixYa.com

P.S. - If you find that the solution/answer I provided led you to, or resulted in a fix, please close the ticket with a FixYa! rating. I would be very grateful for your show of appreciation.
If it hasn’t, please do not assign a rating just yet. Please post back as to what steps you took, results, etc, and I will try to assist you further.

Welcome to FixYa. I am the sewing machine expert that chose your issue to solve.

When everything seems to be working fine and an occasional stitch is loose.....now get ready.......here it is.......the needle!

It seems impossible, but the needle is the most neglected part of the machine. The one you are using could be slightly bent or have a slight burr that you won't see with the naked eye. Also, needles, especially in an embroidery machine (which work their buns off), are only good for about 8 hours of cumulative use. I would say that an embroidery needle should be retired after 3 or 4. They get dull like a razor blade which can cause enough drag to create a timing issue that's barely perceptible.
Welcome to FixYa! I am the sewing machine expert that chose to help you with your issue.

There are really only two things that can cause bottom (note: remember that problems with the bottom thread, almost always comes from the top and not the bobbin. Bobbins rarely need tension adjustments). These two things are:

1. An area was missed when the machine was threaded (most machines have an arrow at each area on the thread path where the thread MUST run or the stitch on the bottom will be sloppy. Threading can be tricky and even the most experienced miss once in a while.
2. The tension adjustment mechanism in the thread path. If the thread is not properly through this area, the thread on the bottom will be sloppy or if, threaded properly, and the tension is set too loose, the stitch will be sloppy. If the tension is set too tight, the bottom thread will be tight and pucker the fabric.

It is counter-intuitive that problems with the top tension cause problems with the bottom stitch but it sure will.

So try it and see if that helps.

Thanks for using FixYa.com

P.S. - If you find that the solution/answer I provided led you to, or resulted in a fix, please close the ticket with a FixYa! rating. I would be very grateful for your show of appreciation.
If it hasn’t, please do not assign a rating just yet. Please post back as to what steps you took, results, etc, and I will try to assist you further.