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Member since 7/16/06
Posts: 27
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Posted on: 1/23/11 12:11 PM ET
Good Morning

I have a quick question. I'm a very new sewer.

I'm running just a straight stitch line to check thread tension.

My upper thread is fine.

But my lower thread is 'wavy.' This would be the thread in the bobbin.

I've changed needle size from 14 to 11. Still wavy.

I've fiddled with the little tension screw on the bobbin. Still wavy.

I've adjusted the stitch length from 2.5 to 4. Still wavy.

Any ideas?

Both threads are the same coats & clark, but different colors.

Thanks for your help.

Katie
  
Member since 12/28/07
Posts: 20237
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Posted on: 1/23/11 12:55 PM ET
In reply to Katie_B

Karen.. different models have some known issues with them.. that we have the answers for.. And some problems are common to a lot of different machines.. Usually they are user error.. and not the fault of the machine.
BUT you did not tell us the make and model of your machine.. which might help give us a good starting point..
  
Member since 7/16/06
Posts: 27
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Posted on: 1/23/11 12:59 PM ET
It'a a Brother XL3022.

I swapped needles again to a 9, and fiddled more with the upper, bobbin & stitch length, and the stitches are less wavy. I think I just need to fiddle some more.

How much 'wave' is ok to have?
  
Member since 10/6/10
Posts: 25
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Posted on: 1/28/11 4:33 PM ET
I don't know if this helps, but every time there is trouble with my bobbin thread it is because of the way the thread is in the bobbin. Make sure the bobbin is loaded into the bobbin holder counter clockwise, if that makes sense. And also make sure that the thread has "clicked" into the thread guides in the bobbin.
Maybe you have tried all of this, maybe not.
Hope it helps!

-- Edited on 1/29/11 2:18 PM --
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mishmash
fun, fresh, colorful
  
Member since 1/23/06
Posts: 6190
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Posted on: 1/28/11 8:44 PM ET
You need to adjust your top tension to pull up a bit more of your bobbin thread. I wouldn't recommend playing with the bobbin tension. That's usually a no no. Do some fiddling with the top tension knob in very tiny increments. I think that and the proper needle will get you where you want to go .

FWIW, my bobbins load clockwise.
-- Edited on 1/28/11 8:45 PM --
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http://lasewist.blogspot.com/
  
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