Correcting Sewing Machine Tension for Free Motion Quilting
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- Опубликовано: 4 окт 2024
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Sewing machine tension can be frustrating to deal with because it can determine how good or bad your stitching looks. While you may have your tension set correctly for piecing and sewing, you may find that you need to make adjustments when switching to free motion quilting. Heather Thomas shows you how to adjust your sewing machine tension for free motion quilting to achieve the best stitching possible.
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This is the best advice given by any quilt expert. Thanks Heather.
This is the best tension adjustment tutorial I’ve ever seen. Thank you!
Thank you for this video! I had no idea the foot needed to be up to adjust tension. Now the back of my quilt looks good!!!
This is exactly the information I needed when I did my google search. Thank you so much. Add me to the list of sewers who never knew about the presser foot needing to be "up" when adjusting the tension. No wonder I wasn't seeing any improvement when I was attempting to adjust the tension.
Thank you so much for the advice! For 24 hours I was changing foots, changing thread, adjusting the upper tension on my new Brother PQ1500 and nothing was working! I WATCHED your other video about tension and free motion quilting but until you mentioned the bobbin tension screw I thought, oh my god, so simple but it totally slipped my mind?!? Sure enough it worked perfectly. THANKS SO MUCH FOR MAKING THESE VIDEOS! Sincerely, Ms. Joanne Plouffe.
Ps. Now I can stop playing around and get to it in the morning! It's 10:30pm here in Hamilton, On and I'm exhausted after brain storming all afternoon. Not to mention yesterday afternoon. Live and learn, right! As you've probably guessed I've just started free motion quilting a couple months ago plus I bought a new machine so lots to learn! Again thank you so much!
I can't believe I've been sewing for years and l never knew to make sure the foot was up when adjusting the tension. Thank you!
This is the BEST video I've seen today! Clear and concise instructions - no faffing, coughing, umming or aahing... brilliant! I was attempting my first free machine embroidery but the stitches underneath were loose. I couldn't figure out the instructions on how to fix the tension, in the handbookI so I came to youtube and, after a few false starts found this video and went back and was able to fix my tension problem in minutes. Thank you! xx
Thank you sooooo much , I had no idea I had to lift my pressure foot. 😃
Really helpful. I didn’t know any of that about setting the tension before. Thank you.😊
Wow, I'd almost given up before starting FMQ.
I just learned several things not only about FMQ but about the capabilities of my machine.
Thank you for this most informative video.
We're so happy this was helpful!
Same! I figured the settings should be fine since I finally got my stitches looking good with the regular foot. Almost resolved to only do straight line quilting 😆 so glad this video came up in Google search results!
Thank you, this helped me figure out what I was doing incorrectly. ☺️
Can’t thank you enough for this. I use a Singer Heavy Duty 4432, and keep tension at 3 when I’m piecing. But free motion was going TERRIBLY. I ended up adjusting it to 5 and now I’m all set. ❤ thank you!
Glad to help!
Excellent video! Straight and to the point! Thank you!
Holy cow! Foot in upright position to adjust tension! Who knew! This video is awesome in 2021!
Thanks so much!
Heather Thomas is an amazing instructor. You can tell she wants you to succeed & informs to that goal.
After struggling for such a long time with my free motion quilting, I can honestly say, this is the best tutorial for tension I have seen. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart ♥♥♥♥♥
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you So much. You’ve helped me more than the manual and the video that came with my new Brother!
I did not know about the foot!!! Omg no wonder I have such a problem with tension. THANK YOU!!!!
Wow you hit the nail on the head. I've been at my wits end in my attempt to adjust the tension. 1st my foot was down & then I did too many turns at once, I wasn't aware that a needle & or foot change would cause a tension change 2b needed . You explained it so simply & demonstration helped a lot. Thanks so much, my new hobby is safe. Peace n luv, Jean
That was SO helpful. I thought my machine was broken but was changing the tension with the foot down... Now I know! Thanks!
Thank you sooooo much. I never knew about lifting the presser foot up to change the tension either. That will make life easier 😊
Thank You Soooo much! Like the others who have commented, I never knew to make tension adjustments with the pressure foot up. I really appreciate your tutorials!
Just a note for those sewing on vintage machines. I sew on a 1929 Singer 66. The manual specifically states that the presser foot must be down when adjusting the tension. I know you are referring to modern computerized machines but I thought this information might be helpful for those with older machines. Check your manual.
Best teacher ever
Thank you, thank you, thank you. I have just recently begun sewing and love free motion, but am having tension issues . I thought I tried everything, but realise now where I have been going wrong. I need to have the foot was up! Thanks for sharing.
I’m new to free motion quilting. This was sooooo helpful. Thank you.
WOW you helped me with pressure foot was up when adjusting the tension. Ti am sooooo happy now
9
Thanks very much for such a clear demonstration! It helped a lot!
Yes I too did not realize the presser foot should be up first. And I have been sewing a long time...... ( Luckily tension changes were not needed often). Great information
Thank you, Heather, for another enlightening video.
Superb demonstration!
Glad you liked it!
Thank you Heather!! Solved!!
So glad!
Perfect solution - thank you!
Helpful. Thank you.
Very good information! Help me a lot, thank you!
thanks this helped me so much
I had never heard before that tip about raising the foot when changing upper thread tension. I use a old mechanical machine though. Maybe that's different from the newer electronic models? I know my discs do open and close with the foot position. After this video though, I'll have to test whether raising my foot for a tension adjustment makes a difference.
Very helpful. Thank you!
Thank you, good explanation.
I see what I've been doing wrong. Tyvm :)
Thank you, I needed this information. My darning/free motion foot is like a 1/4" away from fabric when I have my foot down...is that odd?
I am new to FMQ and the tension was an issue for me. This tutorial is perfect Thank you so much, I have learnt a lot in this short video. Can I ask what number on your tension dial was right for you?
Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. I would be happy to send your question off to the experts. To get started, please direct message me the email associated with your paid membership account. Thanks!
Such valuable information! Thank you. What would you say about presser foot tension? I can't seem to find a way to keep the free motion foot from crushing the quilt sandwich when the presser foot level is lowered. (sad face)
Depending on your machine- you can adjust the presser foot pressure, so you can lessen it to make it easier to quilt the thick layers. Not all machines have this feature though, so you may need to consult your manual.
I have a brother with a similar size neck opening as yours in this video: Q - What is the largest size quilt you can freemotion with this machine?
Which way are you moving your tension are you adding or taking away cuz my machine when I free motion the tension is really not right for doing that so can you tell us which way you're moving are you adding or taking away for your attention
Hi, Which way you move your tension dial depends on the type
of tension issue you are having- weather the needle tension is too tight
or too loose. If you are not sure what kind of tension issue you are
having you can simply try moving the dial in one direction and then test
stitching to see if it fixed your problem. If it did not, move the dial
the other way and then try stitching again.
I have a mystery! I have been sewing for many years. in the
last year or so I have been trying some quilting, more specifically, free
motion quilting. I have a pfaff quilt expression 4.2. Have had pfaff machines
for many years. My fmq (free motion quilting) challenge initially was getting
muscle memory with the different designs. Didn't have many problems as I
attributed the bad look to my inexperience with FMQ THEN,,,,, I started having
tension problems,,,, and these were not consistent, and I'm not able to say, it
was the type of thread, thread weight, brand, or the type of fabric. ??? I was
getting pretty good with the shapes and ... again inconsistnt with how the ?
tension was working? finally I decided to buy a straight stitch only, maching.
I bought a juki TL18. semi industrial machine for quilting. demo'd at the store
with no problems. Got it home, and wha-la, having some of the same issues.....
I'm about ready to just give up on quilting all together. Am I the only one
with problems like this? I have to say as well, My stitches seem to look better
on the bobbin side. But the new machine has had, skipped stitches, broken
thread,,,, and I have only had it for 2 days..... very frusturated. :-0 not
sure anyone can help me. If you have a suggestion,,,, I'm all ears! Really
thought I was a pretty good seamstress? re-thinking that
Hi Debra,
I definitely understand- this can be very frustrating!! Here are a few things to do/try:
First- sometimes what we think is a tension issue really has another underlying cause. I know this one sounds simple, but given that it is a new machine to you- ensure that it is threaded correctly. Also, be sure to always thread the machine with the presser foot UP. Doing this releases the tension disks and allows the thread to easily glide between them (which is needed for threading). If you don't do this, sometimes the thread does not go where it is supposed to on those tension disks and even if you have your tension set at a certain number it won't work.
Next- ensure that you have a new, sharp needle on your machine. Dull needles, especially going through the multiple layers of a quilt can cause stitch issues, and generally these stitch issues are on the top of the fabric while the bobbin side looks good. Dull needles are also the main cause of skipped stitches.
Finally- play around with the needle tension settings. Turn it all the way to the highest number and stitch. This should be creating some not too pretty stitches. Then, slowly back the tension down number by number, stitching after each change. Stop when you hit a number that gives you nice, even stitches.
Hopefully these tips help!
Cheers,
Ashley
National Quilters Circle
Hi, I have tried all the tension, am still having issue with the upper part but the underneath was okay. Any idea if I can still do?
I have a problem that my thread pulls out of the needle. Do you have any solutions?
Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. I would be happy to send your question off to the experts. To get started, please send the email associated with your paid membership account. Thanks!
Hi I’m new to sewing on a machine. I have a brother LX2500 and the knob is on top to adjust tension. Could you give me an idea the number you started and wound up ending with in your demonstration?
Hi Rosa!
I do not see that you have a paid membership with us. Great question! The ‘Ask an Expert’ section is currently for members of our online community. By becoming a member, you will have access to our expert’s knowledge in quilting. With your membership you will also receive discounts on products and hours of Premium video content.
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What is the tension for embroidery. Pls help me
Hi i have a brother LX2500 i want to do free motion but how do you bring the feed dogs down ?
Hi,
Unfortunately I am not familiar with that exact model of machine. I recommend that you consult your machine manual or contact the manufacturer.
Cheers,
Ashley
Name a quilting sewing machine on a very low budget. Whose stitching is much better.
I don't need any design of this sewing machine, just with this quilting sewing machine I will sew nakshi kantha using ruler and quilting pressure feet.