White 656 - Achieving Balanced Stitching; Tension Adjustment Principles; Adjusting Top Thread Tension; Adjusting Bobbin Thread Tension

Adjusting
the
Tensions
for
Properly
Balanced
Stitching
The
shaded
portions
of
drawings
below
represent
the
fabric
enlarged
many,
many
times
to
illustrate
the
lock-stitch
principle--how
and
where
both
threads
should
entwine
WITHIN
fabric
thickness.
Hold
finished
side
of
material
upward
when
inspecting
stitching.
—
—
_Th
NEITHER
THREAD
PERFECTLY
FLAT
TOP
THREAD
FLAT
OR
LOOSE BOTTOM
THREAD
FLAT
OR
LOOSE
STITCHES
PROPERLY
LOCKED
WITHIN
TOP
TENSION
TOO
TIGHT TOP
TENSION
TOO
LOOSE
To
Tighten
or
Loosen
Top
Tension
First
be
sure
that
Presser
Foot
is
DOWN
- - resting
on
fabric.
When
raised,
top
thread
tension
is
released).
To
TIGHTEN
needle
thread
tension
turn
numbered
dial
left)
CLOCKWISE.
To
relieve
tension
turn
dial
counter-clockwise.
The higher
the
number
at
which
dial
is
set,
the
heavier
the tension
on needle
thread.
Before
attempting
any
tension
adjustmnts
be
doubly
sure
that
machine
is
completely
and
properly
threaded
and
that
Presser
Foot
is
DOWN.
If
tension
adjust
ment
of
needle
thread
does
not produce properly
balanced
stitch
ing-
-only
then
do
you
consider
adjusting
tension
on
bobbin case
(lower)
thread.
To
Loosen
or
Tighten
Bobbin
Thread
Tension
This
adjustment
is rarely
necessary
unless
you
have
a
sew
ing
project
calling
for
very
unusual
thread
in
the bobbin-
i,e.
elastic.
To
adjust
tension
on bobbin
thread
merely
turn
the
small
screw
in outer
rim
of Bobbin
Case
(right).
Turn
screw
a
little
at a
time
as you
pull
thread
to
test
tension
on
it.
Turn
screw
CLOCKWISE
to
INCREASE
tension
- - the
other
way
to ease
it.