
You will need to experiment to see which fabrics require a tighter tension than other fabrics.Įach time a tech comes into work on my machine, he loosens all of the top thread tensions and I have to go back and redo them when he leaves.
This is not always the case, depending on the fabric that is in the cap. As a general rule, I run the tension tighter for a cap. The same tension for a cap does not always work on a knit golf shirt. The dyes are heavier in the dark colors than they are in the lighter colors, so therefore the thread is slightly heavier and your tension will need to be adjusted. You will definitely have to adjust your tension. For example, don‚’t change off a white thread with a navy thread. If this is not possible, stay with the light-colored embroidery threads on the same needles and the dark-colored threads on the same needles. It is best to maintain your thread colors on the same needles if you can.
When switching different Colors of Cones of Embroidery Thread. In order to avoid changing tensions when I want to use metallic thread, I keep one needle designated at all times for metallic thread, and then it is always set and I do not have to worry about changing the tensions or the needle. Metallic thread needs to be adjusted but it all depends on your machine and the brand of metallic thread. Tensions set for polyester thread must be much tighter than the tensions set for the rayon thread. The machine gets used to one type of thread and when you make a change you start to have problems. It is not a good idea to keep switching back and forth with your thread types. The thread tension may need to be adjusted each time you change a cone of thread. Here are some typical scenarios when your embroidery thread tension will need to be adjusted: Keeping a total balance between the top and bobbin threads not only makes your embroidery look better, your machine will run smoother and you will have fewer problems with your machine. You must tighten the top tension in this case. The gold thread image in the center is showing that the top tension is too loose. Adjust your bobbin tension before you adjust the top tension in this case. The purple thread image on the far left is showing that the top tension is too tight or the bobbin tension is too loose. If you are embroidering a large fill area, you will see mostly bobbin thread with a small amount of top thread showing at the edges of the segment. If you do not, your tension needs to be adjusted. When you are embroidering small letters it is sometimes hard to see the division, but you still should see the line of bobbin thread. This is a correct embroidery thread tension. The center section will be the white bobbin thread and the two outer sections will be the top thread as in the red image in picture to the left. When your tensions are correct, you will see three fairly evenly divided sections on the back of your lettering or embroidery in each segment. It is important to keep a total balance between your Upper thread (top thread) and your Lower thread (bobbin thread). If there is a burr on the edge of the needle hole in the needle plate, as the thread is coming back up, it can split or fray. If one of your threads is too tight it can snap. As the needle is coming back up the thread will tighten if your tensions are set properly. A loop is formed directly behind the eye of the needle. CAUSE OF ERROR 101 SWF EMBROIDERY MACHINE HOW TO
The wrong tension can cause multiple problems and without the basic knowledge of the relationship between the top and bottom threads it is impossible to know how to correct them.Ī stitch is formed when the needle carrying the top thread passes down through the needle hole in the needle plate and connects with the bobbin thread. Very often a design would look so much better if only the tension was adjusted correctly on the machine. Once you develop this skill it will make a huge difference in your production and the quality of your finished embroidery. Embroidery thread tension is one of the most frustrating subjects within the world of embroidery and learning to adjust and maintain good balanced embroidery thread tension is a skill that must perfected.