PICTURE - what is wrong with my sewing!?

[Refreshing]

OMG I LOVE YOU GUYS! The picture of the too loose vs too tight and the link to my sewing machine manual allowed me to solve the problem! (I think). I did a bunch of tests on a scrap piece of nylon and after tightening it by 50% the problem hasn't happened.

SO THANKS GUYS!!!!

If the problem comes back when I start sewing long sections I will let you guys know.

[The Old Boot]

Post pics of the new stitching for inspection by the crew here.

Also, what all have you sewn with the machine before the tension fix?

[Refreshing]

Thanks so much guys! My entire hammock is basically finished and I didn't have a single problem (except user error when I got too careless on a few stitches). I will post up pictures as soon as it is completed.

[tinner58]

I had the same problem, but not as bad as your picture shows. I would get a couple of extra loops on the back side. I tried every tension available with different needles and different size needles. I also cleaned the bobbin area, thinking that would fix the problem. It didn't. It appeared to me that the culprit was the top thread. I finally tried holding onto the upper thread behind the foot and supplying just a little bit of tension as I began stitching. Worked perfectly. I also start with a short front stitch, then backstitch over the previous front stitch, then continue on with the front stitch. It was a little bit awkward at first, but am quite used to it now. Probably could take the machine in for tuning, but this worked for me.

[JLeephoto]

I had the same problem, but not as bad as your picture shows. I would get a couple of extra loops on the back side....I finally tried holding onto the upper thread behind the foot and supplying just a little bit of tension as I began stitching. Worked perfectly.

Sounds like you got your problem resolved. I have a new fangled Brother with automatic tensioning, etc. and was still getting a couple of occasional loops on the back at the start of my stitching. Reading the manual closely, I saw that it suggested rotating the needle down to pin the fabric and pulling taught the tag end BEFORE dropping the foot and beginning my stitch. In doing so you start with a tight thread instead of allowing the needle to throw a loop from the raised position. This cured my issue when I remember do follow the sequence.
Your problems were more severe, but might be worth noting if you get the occasional loop at the bottom.

[e_2]

I'm pretty sure you're supposed to wind the thread around that chrome bit on top to help remove jerks and lurches in the thread... it should also improve the tension adjustability (i.e. set the tension back to zero/normal/auto/whatever and have better consistency of adjustments) quite a bit.

[VictoriaGuy]

I'm pretty sure you're supposed to wind the thread around that chrome bit on top to help remove jerks and lurches in the thread... it should also improve the tension adjustability (i.e. set the tension back to zero/normal/auto/whatever and have better consistency of adjustments) quite a bit.

I had a machine with a very similar threading system (Pfaff 150) and the 'chrome bit on top' was the tensioner for the bobbin winder (out of picture to the right??), not part of the regular thread path for sewing.

[Refreshing]

Thanks E_2 for the input but VictoriaGuy is correct in that the dotted line diagram is for the bobbin.

[MrClean417]

Awesome, I'm glad you got it fixed. I had these problems with my wifes machine and after working on it multiple times we finally took it in for service which is what it needed all along.

Sometimes things just break and this one broke in a way that it would be working just fine and then all of a sudden there'd be a birds nest underneath the fabric.

But your's responded correctly so it was just tension

[Refreshing]

Awesome, I'm glad you got it fixed. I had these problems with my wifes machine and after working on it multiple times we finally took it in for service which is what it needed all along.

Sometimes things just break and this one broke in a way that it would be working just fine and then all of a sudden there'd be a birds nest underneath the fabric.

But your's responded correctly so it was just tension

Indeed, it is so nice to sew things and not spend half the time redoing stitches! DIY projects became a lot more cost effective just by turning a dial.