When it rains it pours, or SM tension problems?

I don't know what the problem is, but I had a senior moment or something when I read your post. The part about using monopoly on top got me for a second. I was reading it like the game Monopoly instead of the thread! Hopefully, I will return to normal - whatever that is - soon, lol.

Sherry Starr

Try going back to basics before making a repair trip - try regular sewing threads in both top and bottom but use different colours (same brand) after delinting bobbin area - also try running your machine at top speed without bobbin, thread or needle in place - sometimes the 'wind' will dislodge any thread ends or other 'stuff'. Check for any threads stuck in the tension discs and clean them out if necessary by running a doubled buttonhole thread, crochet thread or similar thickness through the disc area. Check your bobbin threadway for any fibres (sometimes a tiny fibre might catch on the hook itself). Check your user manual for the factory settings on upper thread tension (regular sewing) - then play with setting up the machine but also make sure that the presser foot isn't in the sewing position when passing the thread through the tension discs - after threading the needle, gently pull on the thread and test for resistance both with the presser up and down. Another check when using a thicker type of thread for specialty sewing is to thread the machine needle you plan to use without having it in the machine and then let the needle slide on the thread. If there is free sliding - the needle eye is big enough ... if the thread is stuck or jerks along the thread - the needle eye isn't big enough (this will change the pull on the threads in both the upper and the bobbin areas). jennellh

On Nov 18, 10:40 am, Maureen Wozniak wrote:

Reading too fast, I was trying to figure out why the heck using Monopoly money as an embellishment would cause you problems. *snort*

Great minds think alike!

May I respectfully suggest that some of you are going to be in big trouble when you really are seniors. Perhaps you could start defending yourselves by eating a banana every day. They contain good stuff for your brain - just look how smart monkeys are. Polly

Hmmm... My uncle always used to say "Well I'll be a monkey's uncle!" Are you saying I should prove him right? *grin*

Maureen, did you try the trick of putting the bobbin in the case, holding the thread and seeing if the bobbin + case would slowly slide down toward your lap, not slide at all or rapidly fall to your lap? Yesterday, I was helping my quilting buddy set up for some finishing off of appliqué with satin stitch. She wanted to use monopoly in the bobbin (or invisifil) and heavy rayon on the top. There was the same problem. The bobbin case needed a tiny adjustment of 'righty-tighty' to get things just right. Polly

might be that, but I'd understood that serving size was fist size, so a large apple would also be two servings, it's helpful for guestimating kids portion sizes and it was a child nutritionist I got the info from, she said it was the same for adults too.

On Sun, 18 Nov 2007 14:48:56 -0600, Polly Esther wrote (in article ):

Does this trick work with a top loading bobbin?

Maureen

Maureen, when I see a SM with a top loading bobbin (assuming you're meaning the kind where the bobbin drops in flat sort of beside the feed dogs) I throw my hands in the air and quickly back away. I don't know diddly about them. Maybe our top-loading stitchers will finish their coffee soon and come to your rescue. Polly

Polly Esther wrote

Sort of. On my new Elna, the bobbin case can be easily removed when the throat plate is off. I always take it out when I am cleaning the machine. I have used Polly's trick when I have had bobbin trouble, though I do have to be careful that the bobbin doesn't fall out. You can also try tugging gently on the bobbin thread. There should be just a bit of tension on it. If it pulls out too easily, you may have to try adjusting the bobbin tension. The tension screw on my Elna is easily accessible without removing the bobbin case, though you do need a teeny screwdriver; the kind that you can buy for tightening the screws on eyeglasses works well.

Julia in MN

On the Lily, yes: it's easy to take the bobbin case out, and so long as you are careful, the bobbin won't fall out.

There is a "trick" to check the tension of top loading bobbins. Saw the tech use it for my Rose..... It involves removing the bobbin case, holding it in your hand and using a weight on the end of the thread to check the flow/tension. In the case of the Rose, the weight is the throat plate/bobbin area cover. (Just tie the thread through the hole in the plate.)

Pati, > Maureen, when I see a SM with a top loading bobbin (assuming you're meaning

probably discussing day's quilt investigation findings........

Cute Kitties on Video, Talking to Each Other

On Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:12:13 -0600, Pati C. wrote (in article ):

I gave that a try last night. I does seem to do the trick, assuming I did it correctly.

Maureen

On Mon, 19 Nov 2007 14:12:13 -0600, Pati C. wrote (in article ):

Okay, I did it! Last night after I throughly cleaned Lily and my problem was not solved. New needle, etc. I got out a teeny screwdriver, and I turned that bobbin screw. It seems it just need something between and 1/8 and 1/4 turn to the right.

So now I'm wondering, how many of you actually adjust your bobbin tension? How often?

And did I do something to get it so out of whack?

Maureen