How To Adjust the Bobbin Case Tension

Take the guess and science out of setting the tension in your upper tension as well as the bobbin case for your Singer Featherweight 221 and 222K. (This technique works for all machines that have an actual bobbin case.)

[@sewfun211]

Thank you!! Not only do you give us solutions to our problems (I couldn't get my stitches balanced) but you explain the why so we can better do the how. I ordered your bobbin tension meter and it worked perfectly. For the first time, my beloved Featherweight now has beautifully balanced stitches. All of you at the Featherweight Shop are the best! Thank you!

[@ladyandrade]

This video helped me fix the upper tension problem on grandma's beautiful 221 (now mine) and no doubt saved me an expensive servicing. When I need extra parts I will remember your shop! Thank you so much. I don’t think this machine has been turned on in over 50 years and it’s now humming along. (I also watched your helpful oil and lube videos, got your special lube via amazon on Sunday.)

[@chucknewton941]

Extremely helpful! Thank you to the max. We bought a featherweight and it needed some TLC. Your tension tutorials (bobbin and upper) were exactly what I needed. I “googled” and found the weight of one AA battery is very close to 23 grams. Also 4 US quarter weigh 22.68 grams. Nothing can stop me now! Lol

[@pamelaforman8710]

What we do without all your help! I just used the "tune-up" kit from you company and the manual and tools made it so easy to service my machine - thanks for all you do.

[@Dubidub2]

Thank you for this instruction. It is the first time i have seen instructions for home use of measuring the thread tension. I think your instructions will help many people. I started to sew 5 years ago, but I did have a dynamometer with a spring for other use, like the ones you may have seen in school with physics. So I have used it a lot, and I know it saved me a lot of trouble. I do use thin thread and heavy thread, so I have to adjust the tension all the time. Tension will depend on thread size too. So I use the dynamometers to measure both upper and lower tension. I do also have another more heavy spring to be used in thread tension assembly in order to have even higher thread tension for some use.

[@LaizyDaisy]

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and expertise.

[@troyjennenegibby9682]

this is SO very helpful & I use my tension meter all the time between my several Featherweights

[@hollyk4368]

Wish i Could “Like” this many times! Thank you

[@klparker76401]

Thank you! I was able to adjust my top tension and my bobbin tension meter is included in my tune up kit and on the way from your shop!

[@shifrah21]

Thank you for this wonderful explanation it was very helpful

[@jackierudd2010]

Brilliant information, thankyou😊🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@markofashion1790]

Hi I would like to know where I found part for tension I have build Oct 1933 when I bought it someone replace with numbers. I'm looking for non-number to keep as original.

[@Justhaveinfun2]

Perfect information. Fixed my machine! Thank you :)

[@bobgrassl1436]

excellent video..

[@brendaclement6753]

I love the video tutorials, very well done. I ordered the bobbin tension meter. It is not as shown in the video. The one I received is all silver so the numbers are difficult to read. Does it come in black, also?

[@brendaclement6753]

I received a prompt reply from The Featherweight Shop... "The company quit making the other kind of bobbin tension meter last spring, however, this has turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The quality of this new style is far more sturdy and it clips on to the thread more securely. Because of the markings being chromed, however, we have made a black mark at the appropriate place of 23 grams for easier viewing reference."

[@nicolechristie9042]

I am familiar with setting bobbin tension on a babylock longarm machine, can that drop method be applied to setting bobbin tension for the featherweight machine? If so, what is the threshold of pressure ( on the longarm, the case should smoothly come off your hand with gentle pulling up of the thread)? Since I am trying to minimize the number of gadgets I need to purchase so I’d love to be able to do this by hand. Thank you so much for your informative videos and website!

[@805b]

I am also a longarm owner and have the same question.

[@GeeGeeMa]

I cant get my Bobbin Case screw to loosen up its stuck in place. Help!

[@janemartin229]

I was always told not to mess with the bobbin case tension.

[@susanparsons8295]

When i sew the under thread is very lose. What can I do?

[@dawnwarren1714]

I wish I had known this 50years ago,

[@vickiedoyle9321]

Thanks so much for your wonderful video's! I have a question regarding the thread

[@featherweightshop]

Check out the Featherweight Schoolhouse with all the categorized maintenance tutorials and then contact the shop directly for further Featherweight technical assistance: singer-featherweight.com/blogs/schoolhouse

[@heidiw1914]

I got a large cone of Aurafil from my great aunt who can’t sew any longer. Where is the best place to set the cone while sewing? I do have the thread guide I purchased from you.

[@featherweightshop]

On the Featherweight Schoolhouse, there is a Getting To Know Your Featherweight Series and Part 5 will be helpful for thread cone placement. Thank you for asking! singer-featherweight.com/blogs/schoolhouse/tagged/learning

[@vickiedoyle9321]

tension on my 301. the bobbin thread is pulling to the top slightly. I have adjusted the bobbin tension to 22-23 meters using your meter. I have adjusted the top tension from 1 to 9 with no change in the stitches along the way. Any suggestions of how to fix this issue would be apprciated. Thanks, Vickie

[@featherweightshop]

Check out the Featherweight Schoolhouse with all the categorized maintenance tutorials and then contact the shop directly for further Featherweight technical assistance: singer-featherweight.com/blogs/schoolhouse

[@lindadevuyst9311]

Do you need a full bobbin??

[@Textilenerd123]

I’m trying to adjust my needle tension and I fiddled with the number dial, the part that pushes in and turns, and now the tension dial won’t turn even as far as 2 from 0. I’m afraid I’ve really messed up my tension unit. Any idea what I should do?

[@featherweightshop]

Follow our Featherweight Schoolhouse on our website to Maintenance & Tutorials > Tension for all the videos to walk you through what to do. Happy to help!

[@redoak3809]

Does this method readily work with a 301A?

[@Grammy24]

Wondering the same? I assume it does.

[@kathleenjmalmquist3015]

@@Grammy24 yes, it also works for the 301

[@chrisyzuccaro1767]

Where can we buy this calebrator?

[@featherweightshop]

The bobbin tension meter is available on our website.