Excerpts of this post written by Joyce Jagger from the Embroidery Coach.
Thread tension is one of the most frustrating subjects within the world of machine embroidery. Learning to adjust and maintain good thread tension is a learned skill. And once you develop this skill, it will make a huge difference in your finished machine embroidery!
Very often a design would look so much better if only the tension was adjusted correctly on the machine.
The wrong tension can cause multiple problems and without the basic knowledge of the relationship between the top and bottom threads, it’s impossible to know how to correct them.
A 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. Then a loop is formed directly behind the eye of the needle.
If your tensions are set properly, the thread will tighten as the needle is coming back up. However, if one of your threads is too tight, it might snap. If there is a “burr” sound on the edge of the needle hole in the needle plate, as the thread is coming back up, it can split or fray. So, it’s important to keep a total balance between your upper thread (top thread) and your lower thread (bobbin thread).
Here are some tips to help keep your embroidery thread tensions balanced:
- Avoid switching embroidery thread types
- Check your tensions when switching thread colors
- Check your tensions when using different types of fabrics
- Avoid birdnesting
- Avoid erratic stitching and thread breaks
- Check your tension when you change a bobbin
- Clean out your bobbin case each time you change a bobbin
- Keep your tensioners clean and free from lint and dirt
- Use tension gauges to set your tensions