How do I adjust tension on my dogfeed? - Sewing Machines

It sounds just like you have it set to free arm. Find your switch and turn the free arm off.

Tension is most often adjusted at the top tension dial. Only in extreme cases where the top tension does not make the needed adjustments would you need to adjust the bobbin tension. Also, bobbin tension is very sensitive and can easily throw your machine into a tizzy.

Basically, sewing machine tension is simply a tug-of-war between the top and bobbin thread. When they are equally matched, the threads will meet in the middle of the fabric. This is the optimum tension for most sewing. If the bobbin thread is coming up to the top of the fabric, the top tension is too tight--loosen it. If the top thread is going to the underside of the fabric, the top tension needs to be tightened. The higher the number on the dial, the tighter the tension.

FWIW, tension is static. It is not one of those, set it and leave it forever deals. Whenever the fabric, needle, thread are changed, there's a good chance the tension will need to be tweaked.

Understanding Thread Tension Threads

How to change the tension on a sewing machine?
Adjust your top tension if it's too tight. To decrease your top tension if it is too tight, turn your knob so the numbers are decreasing. Try ½ to 1 number lower, then test the stitches on a piece of scrap fabric. Continue until it looks even on both sides and you can no longer see the bottom thread on the top.

How to Adjust the Tension on a Sewing Machine: 13 Steps

www.wikihow.com/Adjust-the-Tension-on-a-Sewing-Machine Search for: How to change the tension on a sewing machine?
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Generally bobbin tension is the last thing to try to adjust on your machine. Most sewists adjust the bobbin tension ONLY if they are using very lightweight or very heavyweight thread in the bobbin. Most sewists will advise to make all possible adjustments to the top tension before tackling the bobbin tension to resolve issues.

Try searching YouTube videos or this may be helpful:

Bobbin Tension How and Why Tension is Adjusted

Understanding Bobbin Tension

Setting the Bobbin Tension on your sewing machine

Liz Kettle adjusting your bobbin case tension 1 wmv

How to fix Tension Don Panic

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Check for a feed drop lever. It is usually on the free arm in the front or back. If not then you need to use a darning plate that goes over your needle plate.

Recheck the tension on the top thread. Test it before you put it through the needle to see if there's any tension. It should pull but with some resistance. Also check the needle and make sure it is the right type for the fabric and not bent etc.

Looping on the underside of the stitch is from the upper thread, usually tension problem. But do check the bobbin tension and make sure it isn't too tight, though that's not usually the problem you're describing. The two tensions need to work together in order to get a nice, flat (not puckered or loopy) stitch.

One last thing you might check too, though again this wouldn't typically be the problem - is the dogfeed moving the material along under the presser foot correctly?

Most of the time the problem you're describing is due to not enough tension on the upper thread.

If I'm understanding the problem right it sounds like you have no tension on the bobbin. Take it out and see if the thread has any resistance when you pull it out. If you hold it up by thel thread and let it dangle and it just drops to the floor the tension isn't right. Check and make sure it is threaded correctly and tighten the tension. Test it again and when you dangle it, it should drop a bit with resistance when you hold it by the thread.

Also check that the top tension isn't too tight, but in this case it is more likely that the bobbin is too loose. And check to see if the dogfeed (the teeth that comes through the plate opening under the needle) is up and moving the material through the presser foot. If the material isn't moving at all it will sort of stitch "in one place" which will give you a bunch of threads all knotted up underneath. If those underneath threads are loopy that is a sign the bobbin thread is too loose (tension too loose)

Two things to check:

1. the bobbin tension. Is it too tight? It should pull out without a ton of resistance but should have just a bit.

2. Is the material sheer or thin? If you can drop the dogfeed a bit you might want to do that or you can sew through tissue paper (on the bottom side) to keep the material from being pulled down.

If those things don't help you might try lengthening the stitch just a tad and make sure the needle you're using is the right size for the fabric.

I have a 26 year old Elna and this is the only weakness it has. Before sewing, try this. Turn the wheel manually and watch the upper thread pick up the bobbin thread. Pull both back to the left. Make sure they are plenty long. This helps me prevent the tangling in the dogfeed. My Elna has a universal tension on the bottom and I haven't ever had a problem with it unless the top tension is too tight.