West Sussex & adjoining parts of Hampshire & Surrey
Copyright © 2009
ADJUSTING TENSIONS
A perfectly formed stitch is when the bottom thread and top thread ‘lock’ in the centre of the fabric. Always before starting to sew make a few samples of stitches on the fabric to be sewn. Check that the needle is the correct size and type for the material and that the thread is correct for the work. Stitch about 6” and examine the stitch.
Correct tensions on both upper and lower threads are important to ensure that the threads are drawn into the centre of the fabric without loops on the top or under side of the work.
When you adjust the bottom and top tensions to get a perfect stitch you are said to ‘balance the tensions’.
Loops on the underside of fabric:
Top tension too slack (more usual) or bottom tension too tight
As a rough guide in adjusting the bottom tension the thread should pull from the bobbin with a small degree of resistance. If it reels off with ease then it is probably too slack. If you have to pull too hard then it is probably too tight.
