Cecilia S.

Hi Group,

This is a question in general pertaining to the knurled knob which lives at the top of the presser foot shaft, on top of the machine. My question is not specific to any model; it is a general one.

As I understand it, one adjusts this knurled know in order to increase or decrease the tension on the spring which houses the presser foot shaft, and therefore adjusts the degree of pressure that the presser foot is exerting on the fabric.

I am still quite new to sewing, so I would like to ask you more seasoned folk here to give me a mini-lesson here! In reality, do you find that you adjust this knob from project to project? What sort of method do you use to determine the correct amount of pressure? (putting test fabric, lowering feed dogs, and then tugging fabric? What sort of resistance would you aim for?)

Many thanks for -any- input you have. I am many things* but an experienced sewist is not one of them. Chances are that anything you tell me will be news to me, and helpful.

Thank you in advance.

* Coffee-sipper, machine-tinkerer, sewing machine classified-ad ogler... ;-)

Mom3

I don't change my tension - much. I used to when our kids were home and I was doing a lot of mending. Thicker fabric needs a higher tension, thinner fabric needs a lower tension.

As far as 'how much' tension - Place your fabric pieces under the presser foot like you are sewing a seam and give the fabric a slight tug. All you want is a little resistance - not a lot.

If you find your stitch length is not stitching to specs ('x' many stitches per inch) then play with pressure foot tension until you've got it right.

J Miller

I generally start with the presser foot tension adjusting knob in about the middle of it's travel. Then adjust as needed.

Joe

bearisgray

I usually do not touch that.

However - on a Singer 237 - a lower end zigzag - early 1960s model - I did lessen the pressure - a lot - when doing some stitching on potholders - two layers of Warm and Natural batting, one layer of denim, and another layer of home dec fabric.

tenngal

Glad you asked - I'm always afraid I'll loosen it up too much and it'll go flying off!

manicmike

Good question. When I clean a machine and oil it I adjust the foot tension as follows:
1. Put fabric under the foot and lower the foot. Obviously with the needle up.
2. Without moving the needle, gently pull the fabric backwards.
If the fabric moves, increase the foot pressure until it stops. If it doesn't, decrease it until the fabric does move, then tighten it until it stops again.

This is just from trial and error. Too little pressure leads to crazy sewing patterns. Too much leads to puckering.

If I'm using a zigzagger or buttonholer it's really important to ramp up the pressure a little or it doesn't work well at all so I add an extra turn. I make a habit of checking before I sew a new fabric/project.

Really delicate fabrics will pucker very easily so minimise foot pressure if necessary.
Incidentally, too much upper thread tension causes puckering as well, so if you have this problem check both.

Cecilia S.

Thank you, everyone, for the really helpful replies.

It is funny, that before now, I just never thought to adjust this. Now I'll be a stitching maven! Before you know it, I'll not just be perfecting the rectangle, but I'll be in charge of trapezoids as well! ;-)

irishrose

I start with it in the middle. I've had to adjust the 301 for the first time. I'm putting flannel binding on a quilt with a flannel back, batting and a velour border. The presser foot was shifting the fabric slightly (thanks, velour) so it was either back off the pressure or set up another machine as I don't have a slant walking foot. Backed off the pressure and now it's doing fine.

nanna-up-north

I don't mess with the pressure knob.... and I've been sewing for over 50 years. I guess if I had some problems with the pressure being so high that it pushed the fabric while it sews, I'd check it. When things line up and the stitches are smooth I figure I'd better leave well enough alone.

jlm5419

I don't usually adjust the presser foot tension, although when I wanted to fmq with my Singer 201, I did lessen it while fmqing.