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Bobbin thread showing on top ?
HOWsMom Beginner ON CANADA Member since 8/27/12 Posts: 107	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/3/12 11:52 AM About 1/2 way into today's doll clothes project, my bobbin thread started coming through and showing on top. Not just a little peaking through - but a LOT. As in - I see more bobbin than top thread. And since I was using two different coloured threads, it was quite obvious. I tried adjusting my tension, both up and down, but it seemed to do nothing at all. I unthreaded, re-threaded, and tried again. Same thing. I've heard rumorings of a mysterious "bobbin tension" but I have no idea what this means, how it works, or where to find it on my machine (for which I have no manual, and none is available). HELP ?
Screaming Mimi Advanced CA USA Member since 3/13/10 Posts: 69	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/3/12 12:27 PM What is your machine make and model?
Screaming Mimi Advanced CA USA Member since 3/13/10 Posts: 69	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/3/12 12:28 PM What is your machine make and model?
Miss Fairchild   Advanced USA Member since 8/24/02 Posts: 6998	Login to reply to this post In reply to HOWsMom << Like this post Date: 9/3/12 12:29 PM If you were sewing and this occurred all of a sudden, I would suspect your machine came unthreaded on the top; if it's a sewing machine. You might also have a piece of lint in your tension disks (you didn't say what kind of machine you have) If it's an embroidery machine, I'd suspect the upper tension is too loose and you need to tighten it. ------ "We don't impose our rhythm on Nature. The key is to respect and live within Her." Jean-Charles Boisset, Winemaker "And no, now that you asked, I didn't enjoy that play one bit, and I'd like a refund" Signed, Mrs. Lincoln My Etsy shop: auntmaymesattic My blog: auntmaymesattic.wordpress.com Avatar: First place award for jacket at county fair
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 4987	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/3/12 12:34 PM Top loops, bobbin not feeding form the bobbin spool in the correct direction and/or not feeding through the tension guide on the side of the bobbin case. Loops on the bottom and the top thread has not been threaded with the presser foot up. Foot up opens the discs within the tension control so the thread can properly enter and be controlled according to the chosen setting - usually mid range. The adjustment for bobbin tension is on the side of the bobbin case (tiny screw). Righty, tightly and lefty loosey. Do this only as the last resort and in tiny increments. Look at the slot in the screw head as a clock. Top of the slot is 12 (mark this with a tiny dot of nail polish so you do not loose track of where you started) and the bottom is 6 and take "5" minute changes. What is the brand and model of machine you are using?
HOWsMom Beginner ON CANADA Member since 8/27/12 Posts: 107	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/3/12 12:36 PM Machine is a Kenmore 385.81530. It is a sewing machine.
Marie367   Intermediate OH USA Member since 5/28/11 Posts: 1362	Login to reply to this post In reply to HOWsMom << Like this post Date: 9/3/12 12:51 PM Is this computerized? Yes, I would agree with everyone else-you don't need to tweak bobbin tension-something went wrong on top thread. Is the top thread catching on something? Some spools of thread have a notch to hold thread-turn spools like this upside down so thread does not catch in this when you are sewing. Rethread your machine again. Did you say you do not have a manual? Can you post a pic of you sm? Someone here might be able to help you. There should be a manual available online-someone here probably has it. Tweeking the bobbin tension should be a last resort. There is a screw on the bobbin case-when you take it out you will see it but do not tweek it. I don't think it is the bobbin thread. Make sure everything is threaded right-are you using the correct bobbin? Those take plastic.
HOWsMom Beginner ON CANADA Member since 8/27/12 Posts: 107	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/3/12 1:08 PM Hi Marie. It is not a computerized machine. I'll get photos this afternoon (probably good to do anyhow, as everyone keeps telling me I wrote down the model number wrong!). Manual is NOT available online. Nor through Kenmore or Sears. Nor through "Manage My Life". Yep - it's the machine that simply doesn't exist :D
PattiAnnJ   Advanced OH USA Member since 12/3/06 Posts: 4987	Login to reply to this post In reply to HOWsMom << 1 member likes this. Date: 9/3/12 1:12 PM Quote: HOWsMom Machine is a Kenmore 385.81530. It is a sewing machine. I have found Kenmore the most frustrating brand to find a manual for. Perfectly good product. But this model cannot be found at any site I have tried. Go back to SewUsa and send them an email inquiry about a manual for your model Kenmore. Sometimes one manual will serve more than one model. You will only be out a few minutes of your time.
HOWsMom Beginner ON CANADA Member since 8/27/12 Posts: 107	Login to reply to this post Like this post Date: 9/3/12 1:47 PM Email sent. You're right - it was only a minute to type out.

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