Adjusting tension on PR series machines | Echidna Sewing

[@pamhargis8864]

Oh thank you so much for this information. My best friend said never touch the tension but then I found your video and it was so helpful.

[@EchidnaClub]

@pamhargis8864 Glad it helped! Thank you for your feeback and for watching!

[@KatherineH-b6c]

Brilliant video Gary, thanks so much for taking the time to put these together. They are the best videos on You Tube. I've learned so much from you.

[@EchidnaClub]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@sylviamoerman2120]

This video has really taken a load off my mind. I now know where to go to, too solve any issues. Thank you. I have purchased a Towa tension tester and am looking forward to using.

[@EchidnaClub]

Great to hear! Thank you for your feedback :)

[@suzanneshambrook2441]

Very helpful, Gary! Your thorough explanations are appreciated.

[@EchidnaClub]

Glad it was helpful!

[@patriciahazelwood4357]

Really good informative video and I learned a lot. Off to buy a tension gauge…..Thank you

[@EchidnaClub]

@patriciahazelwood4357 They are a great tool to have to ensure great tension!

[@chickiez11]

Thank you Gary for this awesome video. I learned so much and feel more confident to handle the tensions on my 6 needle machine!

[@EchidnaClub]

Wonderful! Glad it helped :)

[@RickeyDen]

I just saw this today -- excellent advice. Great tips/training. Thank you very much for sharing.

[@EchidnaClub]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@lovingthelucaslife4224]

Wow, I’m new to embroidery and I knew nothing about tension! Thank you for explaining so concisely! I thought something was seriously wrong, I need the bobbin gauge!

[@EchidnaClub]

You are so welcome!

[@aimeep339]

Thank you Gary. My machine was stitching just like the example you showed at the start of the video. Purchased a new bobbin case and the towa gauge and now it’s stitching beautifully again.

[@EchidnaClub]

Wonderful!

[@angelasandall9531]

Brilliant explanation about bobbin tension. Thank you ❤

[@EchidnaClub]

@angelasandall9531 Thank you - and thank you for your great feedback!

[@angelasandall9531]

@@EchidnaClub , Got another question though on the tension issue. My PR655 , I’ve bought a new bobbin case and tightened up the top thread. The top thread won’t stay in the needle after a stitch out. When I loosen the top thread tension it’s causing the back tension to look zigzag. Frustrated 😩 isn’t the word . Do you have any advice. I don’t use this machine very much for this reason. I have two 1055’s .

[@angelasandall9531]

Thanks in advance. Anj

[@EchidnaClub]

@angelasandall9531 Have you also loosened the bobbin thread when you loosened the top? This is to balance the thread properly. If you are unsure, give us a call or/and also send through photos of your tension to [e-mail] and we will be able to assist.

[@angelasandall9531]

@@EchidnaClub thank you for the advice , I have sorted it out now thank goodness. I had an engineer come to my home to look at another machine and he kindly looked at the 655 too. He gave me a lot of advice from his 40 yrs of experience and I have taken it all on board and your advice too. 🙏

[@Delmarksman]

Absolutely the best explanation I have seen! Thank you!

[@EchidnaClub]

@Delmarksman Glad it was helpful!

[@christiclyde4792]

THANK YOU! This helps a lot, off to play with my tension as I have been forced to wind bobbins because of color showing on top.

[@EchidnaClub]

You are welcome!

[@EchidnaClub]

You are welcome!

[@TheDeadlyviperuk]

Great video and lots of good advice, any info on how to use the pre-tensioners on the PR Machines?

[@EchidnaClub]

@TheDeadlyviperuk Thank you for watching our video. If you look on page 118 of your manual it will explain how to use the pre-tensioner. A lot of the time it isn't necessary to adjust these, you more would adjust the large tension dial.

[@denisechiu9781]

I love your videos. Thank you so much for sharing all your knowledge!

[@EchidnaClub]

You are so welcome!

[@orinnoco2919]

Hello, thank you for your tutorial. Absolutely the best info! Really appreciate it. 😍

[@EchidnaClub]

@orinnoco2919 Thank you for watching and the great feedback!

[@littlegreycatco]

Thank you! Great explanation of how tension works :)

[@EchidnaClub]

Glad it was helpful!

[@carolinekalokerinos9352]

Thank you Gary for a great video.Learned alot.

[@EchidnaClub]

Glad you enjoyed it! :)

[@jan-catharinastier4543]

Hello, thank you for that great video! When I pull my thread through the bobbin, there is tension at one point during each revolution. How can I compensate for this movement so that the thread can be pulled through evenly? Where is the error there? Thank you very much!

[@EchidnaClub]

@jan-catharinastier4543 If it is pulling through unevenly then there may be an issue with your bobbin case. Have you got a spare bobbin case to try?

[@tinamize6098]

Can you PLEASE do a video on all the screens on a PR620 the embroidering screen, for example , how to get to all the different screens and running through what they do. I am very new and need help. Training videos would be so awesome.

[@EchidnaClub]

Great suggestion! We are always producing different videos for new machines. Your machine was released around 10+ years ago and we didn't make videos then. Sorry! If you are in Australia we can assist over the phone ono 1800 000 360 if you would like further support though?

[@cathyteramo8630]

I would like to know the perfect voltage for a Brother 1055 PR. Is 30 G good or do you have to put 27/28? And for a Stellar Brother 30 G is it good too? And what references of pre-wound cans do you need for RA. Is it size L, 75 D, diam 20.60?

[@marievarcoe9241]

Hi Gary, do you have a similar video on how to adjust the tension using the same technique for a single needle machine such as the NV880E

[@EchidnaClub]

@marievarcoe The adjustment for your top tension is in your machine settings. In saying that, you may be having issues with the bobbin tension which you would need to adjust your bobbin case, or you may have thread caught in your tension discs for example. It is a matter of knowing where the issue is to fix a machine tension. What issues are you having with your tension? Here is another one of our videos where Gary goes through the towa gauge when fixing tension on the bobbin case: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGSlXmd4pN9keM0 Here is a video to check for lint build up in the bobbin case: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaHaqIOQbruBeNE

[@annwarren4171]

Thank you Gary. I have recently bought some metal bobbins for the PR machines that you thread yourself. I noticed that there is quite a difference in the tensions between the normal pre wound bobbins and these. Is that due to the weight of the metal bobbins? Have you tried these? I would like to see a video about these to see what your feedback would be. Regards, Ann.

[@EchidnaClub]

Hi Ann, it is very normal for the tension to be different and yes it is the due to it being a heavier weight. The PR machine does cope with the metal bobbins, but we do recommend the prewounds as an easier alternative.

[@westbourne7034]

Great video, as always.

[@EchidnaClub]

@westbourne Thank you for watching and your feedback!

[@westbourne7034]

Hope this isn’t a strange question! Would this trip count and total count 32273 show trip time and total time as zero? I’m looking at a secondhand pr1055x and just wanted to check this would be correct thanks in advance

[@EchidnaClub]

@westbourne Total count is only zero when new and gives a total for the machine for its life, trip count would vary according to when it was serviced.

[@ealfaro5736]

How many grams do you recommend for needle tension? Do you still recommend double for the upper tension?

[@EchidnaClub]

Hi E Alfaro, it is fine for your top tension to be double your bobbin tension.

[@andriaclarke6864]

So, for a PRS100, would the ideal tension also be 30? Also is the towa gauge for embroidery the same or similar as for the towa longarm gauge ?

[@EchidnaClub]

Hi Andria, yes it would also be 30 for the PRS100. Also the Towa gauge we sell is the same as you can buy the adapter to fit in the gauge for the M style bobbins. :) Thank you for you questions

[@andriaclarke6864]

@@EchidnaClub cool I ordered one today from EchIdna. Thanks for the information.

[@baldiemoo42]

hi - i have run into a strange issue and I wondered if it could be tension related. So i have the pr670e 6 needle - i have had a pattern for a badge that I make for a long standing customer, at least 3 years. the pattern is in my machine and nothing has changed on the pattern at all. so today i have stitched out what she needed however, there is a stitched out black circle - and the thickness of this is so much thinner than the original ones, it feels extremely tight. She uses these badges to sew onto her items that she makes (cushions etc) and i dont know where to start with this. I am currently having to let it stitch out and then go back and over stitch it to get the thickness - but as I said, the thickness was always there before and its so thin now - could you help

[@EchidnaClub]

Generally a really tight looking satin stitch does sound like you have a tension issue which could be either bobbin or needle thread. Do you have a tension gauge? Can you measure the bobbin tension. That would be the starting point. It needs to be about 30 grams. Then we could check the needle tension. But before that, be 100% sure that the machine is threaded correctly. Also you could have a dry spool of thread which will also cause a tight stitch. Silicone spray on the thread in question can often fix that as well. Please check the above and if no luck give us a call or send through some photos of the issue and we'll investigate further.

[@PKEDRM]

Gary, your video was just suggested to me by YT, likely because I have been focused on embroidery videos. I just got a sweet deal on a new Baby Lock Verve which is a combo sewing/embroidery machine. After watching your video I feel as though I will have many issues with tension purely because I switch between embroidery and sewing. The threads are different in weight and therefore I have to assume that the tensions are going to change all the time. To add insult to injury the machine has a drop in bobbin which, though convenient, I don't care for. Do you have any suggestions as to what I should watch out for as my love of embroidering grows? I literally bought the machine to replace my Baby Lock Decorator's Choice that has aged out and is making horrible noises. I don't really want to put any money into a 20 plus year old machine that is electronic for fear of having even more breakdowns and throwing good money after bad. The Verve is an almost identical machine in all of it's sewing functions other than a few extra designer stitches thrown in. Since it had the embroidery unit that came with it I thought I would try it out and I'm finding that I'm hooked! I intend to incorporate some embroidery with my card making skills by adding embroidered panels to the card fronts. (I've already made one detachable Christmas tree ornament that is on the front of a card I sent to a relative.) Since your videos were very helpful when I bought my cover stitch machine I thought I wouldmm reference your videos again regarding this machine. Do you have any advice for me?

[@garywalker5394]

Hi Susan, the Verve is pretty much the same as the Brother NV180 www.echidnasewing.com.au/brother-innov-is-nv180-sewing-embroidery-machine - all the videos on this page will be applicable to the Babylock Verve. They are great machines and super reliable. If you are concerned about the tension flicking from Sewing to embroidery then a simple fix is to buy a spare bobbin case and use it specifically for embroidery. This is the genuine case we sell in Australia www.echidnasewing.com.au/xc8167551-embroidery-bobbin-case-purple-dot-nv1200 - your local dealer should be able to assist you with this. They are very easy to change and hold good tension. As your embroidery passion grows you'll almost certainly yearn for a bigger hoop - stick with a Brother or a Babylock and you won't go wrong. Hope this helps Cheers Gary

[@PKEDRM]

@@garywalker5394 Thanks Gary for taking time to reply. I love your videos and, honestly, your accent is music to my ears. I always dreamed of visiting Australia some day but KZbin is as close as I will ever get. I am putting a copy of your advice in my sewing log book and following up on this later this week.

[@Keepthechangeyall]

Any tips on why my machine isn’t cutting the thread? Sometimes it does and leaves a long tail and sometimes it doesn’t cut at all. I’ve cleaned it, tried everything…even replaced the knife.

[@EchidnaClub]

Hi there, the issue you're describing can be caused by any number of variables and requires a little more information for us to give you a solid solution. For further support you're welcome to contact us via email at [e-mail]

[@annwarren4171]

Hello again. I asked the question before I watched the whole video. I am a bit vary of using the metal bobbins. Can they upset the timing on these machines, as I think it rattles a bit as it spins around? ( sounds like it ). Regards.

[@EchidnaClub]

These machines are designed to use the metal bobbins, they don't upset the timing. We also recommend the prewounds that we sell, they don't have a metal bobbin. www.echidnasewing.com.au/magnetic-pre-wound-bobbin-l-style-white-box-144

[@iheartropetech9789]

Hi i have a question. After i finished embroidering, my machine goes auto cut. After the auto cut, the thread shoots back up and i have to rethread into my needle. Why is that happening?

[@EchidnaClub]

@iheartropetech9789 This can be the thread - sometimes they are a bit springy and so when it is cut under tension it can spring back. Can you try a different type of thread and see if you have the same issue?

[@iheartropetech9789]

@@EchidnaClub i changed my bobbin case and it works like normal. But just wondering why, ive adjusted the tensions too

[@EchidnaClub]

If you give it a good clean out in the bobbin case area as well will help. Sometimes its the thread getting caught up in the cutting action.

[@WeQuiltStudio]

HI. Do you know of a Longarm Thread that will give me more resistance on Top? I am Quilting in the Hoop using my Janome Mb4 (completely overhauled recently). But my Omni and Perma Core thread do not offer as much resistance as my regular embroidery thread. So, I am stuck using embroidery thread to quilt in the hoop. And even with that, I have to turn my Top tension up all the way (to about 22 grams). My Bobbin is set at about 10 grams. I am using the same thread on the Top and Bottom since this is Quilting. I can use the Omni/Perma Core on my Brother SE600 with no problem. I assume the Single needles just do better with allowing the 2 threads to meet in the middle, because that's what they were built for. Do you have any suggestions? Can you try and quilt in the hoop on your multi-needle and let me know what Tension settings you used on your Towa, and what thread you used? I have both the digital and manual Towa's, plus a Tajima Tension Gauge. Maybe you can do a video showing this. :)

[@EchidnaClub]

I'm not a quilter but it Sounds to me that you simply do not have enough top tension. 22g is very light as is 10g of bobbin tension. I don't carry the Omni and Perma Core thread so I can't test that and I don't currently have an MB4 on hand to check but I feel you should be able to increase the needle tension more than you saying. Even then there will be no one size fits all setting I can give you for this. What needle tension do you get with embroidery thread?

[@anthonygreaves4998]

Very informative Thank you

[@EchidnaClub]

@anthonygreaves4998 Thank you and thank you for watching!

[@TinaDraper-og5ui]

What are the best pre wind bobbins?

[@EchidnaClub]

@TinaDraper-og5ui Where are you located? We do sell them on our website: www.echidnasewing.com.au/article/embroidery/?skw=L%20prewound%20bobbins

[@elizabethgrayson530]

Is all of this applicable to one needs machines?

[@EchidnaClub]

@elizabethgrayson530 This tensioning video is applicable to all the Brother PR series machines.

[@raquelqueiroga7796]

Hi! Where I can buy this machine for measure tension ? Can I use on Brother PR1055X and Brother Innovis V3 and Stellaire XE1 ? Thanks :)

[@EchidnaClub]

Hi Raquel, you can buy it through our website: www.echidnasewing.com.au/digital-tension-gauge and yes this can be used on all those machines :)

[@raquelqueiroga7796]

@@EchidnaClub Thank you for the answer! I have a question that I couldn't find through the videos: which needle do I use to embroider on cotton fabric, linen fabric, satin fabric? What type of needle would you also recommend to embroider large texts to make it easier?

[@EchidnaClub]

@@raquelqueiroga7796 we always use the same needle on an embroidery machine TNC 75/11 - it doesn't matter what type of fabric for embroidery. www.echidnasewing.com.au/tnc-embroidery-needle

[@cindie3172]

Really appreciate this tension information. Does this apply to all multi needle embroidery machines? I have SWF MAS12. Thank you.

[@goodgoyou1]

Thanks

[@EchidnaClub]

@goodgoyou1 Thank you for watching :)

[@DavidDemandier]

Merci beaucoup !

[@EchidnaClub]

Thank you for your feedback :)

[@celestecarr5695]

This device would've saved me a huge headache. I could never figure out if it was the top tension or the bottom.

[@EchidnaClub]

@celestecarr5695 It is a great gadget to have at hand! :)