I have a singer 7258 that I can not get the tension to loosen up on. The top stitch is straight across and adjusting dial doesn't help.

Which stitch are you using? As far as I can tell, the Stylist 7258 only allows you to change the needle position for straight stitches. If the machine is set to Pattern 00, press the right or left buttons from the 4 arrow keys in the manual setting arrows until the needle is in the desired position.

For all other stitches, the left/right arrows adjust the stitch width. This is described on page 30 (in English) of the manual. You can download the manual from the product page under the support tab: http://www.singerco.com/products/2101/7258-stylist#type-support . The direct link to the manual is http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/4951b452e963a8fe1dd1fd83fbac68a35df8cf19.pdf .

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

According to the manual, you should not need to adjust the bobbin tension (and I located other sites which stated the bobbin tension cannot be adjusted on this machine). Apparently, all the tension adjustment is accomplished through the upper thread::
"EN Thread Tension Upper thread tension Basic thread tension setting: "4". (1) To increase the tension, turn the dial to the next number up. To reduce the tension, turn the dial to the next number down. A. Normal thread tension for straight stitch sewing. B. Thread tension too loose for straight stitch sewing. Turn dial to higher number. C. Thread tension too tight for straight stitch sewing. Turn dial to lower number. D. Normal thread tension for zig zag and decorative sewing. Correct thread tension is when a small amount of the upper thread appears on the bottom side of fabric. Lower thread tension The bobbin tension has been set correctly at the factory, so you do not need to adjust it. Please note: - Proper tension setting is important for strong seams. - There is no single tension setting appropriate for all stitch functions, thread or fabric. - A balanced tension (identical stitches both top and bottom) is usually only desirable for straight stitch construction sewing. - 90% of all sewing will be between "3" and "5". - For zig zag and decorative sewing stitch functions, thread tension should generally be less than for straight stitch sewing. - For all decorative sewing you will always obtain a nicer stitch and less fabric puckering when the upper thread appears on the bottom side of your fabric. 1 A B C 22 D"

Doing further research, I found this statement on a machine review site:
"After reading reviews online from where I've bought my drop-in bobbin machines, I think many of the negative reviews are due to the bobbin thread coming up without laying across the bobbin. It can cause the stitches to look very sloppy and no amount of tension adjusting can fix the stitches."

There are several machine review sites wherein 4423 owners stated their disappointment in the 4423's performance. Some said the machine failed almost immediately and others said the machines developed problems when sewing heavy fabric.

It means that your top thread tension is tighter than your bottom thread, and it's pulling your bobbin thread up. You loosen your top thread by turning the dial towards the "S." You should only have to loosen it by a maximum of one number; if it's more than that, you may have to adjust the bobbin thread tension.

You do that by first turning off the machine and removing the embroidery unit. Turn the tension dial to S. It helps to use a different color top and bottom thread, with the scrap fabric a third color. Run a straight stitch and zigzag stitch and examine them. If one size of the zigzag looks like "chicken tracks" or one side of the straight stitch is a straight line, it means that side is too tight. Take a look at your user's manual on page 11. If your top tension is on "S" and it is the side that is too tight, you will need to tighten the bobbin tension, to match the top tension. Tensions are a BALANCE.

The next step needs to be done systematically and carefully. If you don't, you can really make things worse. Set your mind to doing everything step by step--don't get tempted to jump ahead. Take the needle plate off and take out the bobbin case, and locate two screws on the side. One is a Phillips screw--leave it alone. The other is a straight screw--that's the one, and you will need a tiny screwdriver to adjust it.

The rule is "righty-tighty, lefty-loosey." Remember, you are trying to match the top tension! Give the screw on the case no more than 1/4 turn, reinsert and retest. You should see at least a little improvement. Keep doing that until you have balanced your stitches, and DON'T jump ahead! The difference between too tight or too lose is often a very small turn of that screw--especially when you're close.

try a top tension of 4 or if you have a automatic setting try that
if that doesn't help then the tension dial need to be checked
to see if some thing is wrong with it, it might need to be replaced

try adjusting the top tension & see if that helps

try using a washable stablizer or interfacing.
if that doesn't help then it's possible that a gear or cam may be worn enough to cause the machine zig zag not to work properly

Which stitch are you using?

To check thread tension for straight stitches, use different colors of thread in your top thread and bobbin. If the top thread shows on the bottom of the fabric, turn the dial counter-clockwise (towards a lower number). If the bottom thread shows on the top, turn the dial clockwise. Do not adjust the tension too much (for example, go from 2 to 2.5 if increasing the tension) at a time; test another set of stitches. Alternatively, you can adjust the bobbin tension in the reverse directions. However, it's very easy to damage the set screw in the bobbin case so do this as a last resort. Since this is a vertical bobbin case, put the bobbin in and hold onto the thread. If the thread moves when you dangle the bobbin case, tighten the screw. Loosen the screw if the thread doesn't pull out of the bobbin when you hold the unit.

For zig-zag decorative stitches lower the tension until the puckering stops. Usually the top thread will show on the bottom of the fabric.

If the tension is not changing when you turn the dial, make sure that the presser foot is down. The sewing machine may need repair. The tension mechanism depends on a spring and that can break. See the Singer site for a parts breakdown and contact your Singer dealer for the parts.

If the top and bottom fabric are not moving at the same rate, you can get a different type of puckering. You may want to get an even feed foot if there are several layers of fabric.

The manual for the 3116 is available from Singer: http://www.singerco.com/uploads/download/438_3116.pdf .

I hope this helps.

Cindy Wells

Hi. I think I know what you mean--the top thread looks like it's just laying across the fabric, right? This is because either the top tension is too tight or the bobbin tension is too loose. (Either condition will look the same.) Try it with a different color thread in the bobbin, you can easily see the bobbin thread cross the top thread on top of your fabric. Here's what to do:

1. since you should hardly ever need to adjust the bobbin thread, we'll start with the top thread.
   
2. Make sure you thread the machine with the pressure foot UP (opens the tension disks) but adjust the tension with the pressure foot DOWN (closes them so they will adjust). Use a size 12 or 14 needle and good-quality thread (it does make a huge difference!)
   
3. With different color thread on top and in the bobbin, stitch an inch or so and check the stitch.
   
4. Slightly loosen the top tension (move the dial so the numbers go lower). Don't move it a lot, just a little bit.
   
5. Stitch again and check. Repeat this process, stitching, checking, and gradually adjusting the tension dial until you don't see any of the bobbin thread on the top (or very, very little) and don't see any of the top thread on the underside (or very, very little).
   
6. IF this doesn't get the balance adjusted, then you'll have to play with the bobbin tension. (But generally, once this is set, you shouldn't have to mess with it again.)
7. There is a tiny screw on the bobbin carrier that tightens or loosens a very small metal strip (where the thread exits the carrier). To tighten the bobbin tension, screw this just a tiny bit to the right. (Turn it to the right to loosen the screw, to the left to tighten it.) Again, just make a small adjustment each time and recheck your stitches.
   

Few things about sewing are more frustrating than stitches that aren't balanced!

Sure hope this helps!


Robbie

The three front dials are as follows....left to right-Stitch width, type of stitch, and stitch length. The dial on the top adjust the top tension.

For straight stitch you want 0 stitch width, straight stitch, 3 for stitch length.

For zig zag you want turn your stitch width to how wide you want the zig zag, choose zig zag stitch, and choose how close you want the stitches to be on the stitch length dial. Practice on a piece of fabric. Usually for zig zag you will want to loosen your top tension a little bit.

The needle goes in with the flat side on the left and you thread it from right to left ,hope this helps