Adjusting Thread Tension
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Southington, CT
Posts: 819
Adjusting Thread Tension
I've recently read some Internet postings stating that the presser foot should be down when adjusting tension. I've always adjusted tension with the presser foot up.
Is the presser foot down method correct or hogwash?
Is the presser foot down method correct or hogwash?
#2
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,183
It depends on the machine, some will certainly let you move levers but won't actually move the settings.
My old vintage machine was definitely a foot down machine.
The Bernina is too darn smart and argues with me or just refuses to cooperate if I don't follow it's directions exactly.
My old vintage machine was definitely a foot down machine.
The Bernina is too darn smart and argues with me or just refuses to cooperate if I don't follow it's directions exactly.
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: Southington, CT
Posts: 819
I'm confused. Because I've never read in either vintage Singer or modern computerized machine manuals that the presser foot should be down when adjusting pressure.
Does your Bernina manual state the foot should be down?
Does your Bernina manual state the foot should be down?
#4
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,183
No, it was my vintage machine that mentioned it in its book (it had belonged to a friend's grandmother before me).
There was a latch/spot in the internal bar that had to be in place in order for you to actually change anything other than stitch length. That included going into zigzag mode and most adjustments and it said to have the foot down to change the tension as well.
The Bernina and I are learning to work together... I think it is very fussy but I will say that in a year I haven't broken a needle or had other problems while sewing -- sometimes it is just getting the sewing going is the hard part.
There was a latch/spot in the internal bar that had to be in place in order for you to actually change anything other than stitch length. That included going into zigzag mode and most adjustments and it said to have the foot down to change the tension as well.
The Bernina and I are learning to work together... I think it is very fussy but I will say that in a year I haven't broken a needle or had other problems while sewing -- sometimes it is just getting the sewing going is the hard part.
#6
No, it was my vintage machine that mentioned it in its book (it had belonged to a friend's grandmother before me).
There was a latch/spot in the internal bar that had to be in place in order for you to actually change anything other than stitch length. That included going into zigzag mode and most adjustments and it said to have the foot down to change the tension as well....
There was a latch/spot in the internal bar that had to be in place in order for you to actually change anything other than stitch length. That included going into zigzag mode and most adjustments and it said to have the foot down to change the tension as well....
Janey - Neat people never make the exciting discoveries I do.
#8
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Greater Peoria, IL -- just moved!
Posts: 6,183
My machine is a Remington, now there were Remington sewing machines in the early days, but this is a post-war Japanese badged machine very much like a Morse and I think the name was just "American" and not following trademark stuff so closely.
#10
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Glenmoore, PA
Posts: 7,941
I haven't adjusted tension on any of my machines in "ever since I started sewing with them, haven't needed to". My electronic machines are self-adjusting according to thread size, according to the manual. And my old Singers work beautifully without needing tension adjustments. But I will ask how you could adjust the tension with the presser foot up, since there would be no tension on the thread passing through the discs.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Champanier
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
11
11-11-2016 04:34 PM
annesthreads
For Vintage & Antique Machine Enthusiasts
14
01-15-2012 09:36 AM