Tension Problems with Your Sewing Machine and How to Deal With Them
Sewing machines are an essential tool in homes these days. It can save you lots of money when your clothes need repairs and you have to take them to a tailor. Thankfully, sewing is an easy skill to learn. There are also lots of sewing machines to suit your particular needs. Ideally, you should go for domestic or mechanical sewing machines because they are easy to use and maintain. Embroidery sewing machines are also applicable for those who wish to knit certain patterns onto their pieces of cloth. When using these machines, however, you may run into tension problems. Here are some of the clever ways things you can do to solve this problem:
Keep an Eye on the Sewing Needle
Sewing machines use special needles to push the thread through a piece of cloth when you are sewing. Due to the constant up and down movement, needs often become blunt and dull, producing a rough edge that can tear through the stabiliser, thread or fabric that you are working on. To avoid this, you should always check the needle before you start sewing to make sure that it sharp. It should have no burrs. The rule of the thumb is that you should have a small piece of cloth for testing the condition of the needle. Sew a few pieces of thread through the tester while looking out for any signs of damage to the cloth.
Use the Right Thread Weight
Another common cause of tension problems is the weight of the thread. Lighter or heavier threads affect the design of the stitches and you must set the tension accordingly. However, many manufacturers design the machines in such a manner that they can use a certain standard thread. For instance, 40-weight threads are ideal for a majority of embroidery designs. You should always use bobbin thread, which is designed specifically for sewing machines bobbins.
Note: The bobbin is the cone or cylinder used to hold the thread.
Think about the Fabric or Cloth
The fabric you are sewing can affect the tension of the machine quite adversely. Test stitching is important before you start sewing, as it helps you to examine the combination of the stabiliser, thread and tension. Even though many machines may adjust the tension automatically, doing it manually will guarantee optimal results. Automatic adjustments may not work on some of the fabrics you are dealing with at that time.
Whether you need brother sewing machine repairs or repairs for a different machine, if you aren't comfortable fixing it yourself or you aren't sure what the issue is, reach out to a professional.