Sewing Machine 101 - Thread Tension and Machine Maintenance

Part of the Sewing Machine 101 series - in this video I demonstrate a nifty method for choosing the right upper thread tension for the fabric that you're using. I also demonstrate the checking of bobbin thread tension using the Bobbin Drop Test. Afterwards I show briefly how to oil a sewing machine (always consult your sewing machine's manual for appropriate oiling locations and ensure your machine is unplugged from the mains prior to oiling or touching inner parts) and clean dust out of the bobbin case area.
Tutorial by Maz's Costume/Crafting Tutorial Page ( / mazcostuts )

[@hopefulnice]

Finally, somebody explains tension & how to adjust it according to the issues I'm having in a way that makes sense to me. You have no idea how much I appreciate this 🥺🖤

[@maggieburke8740]

Just what i merdes after watching so manu vídeos that didn’t deal with my problems! Thanks so much!!

[@EuphemiaGrubb]

I'm an experienced sewing machinist but I've never got to grips with the tension. Your tutorial has solved all my problems. Thank you!

[@meetah100]

Thank you! This is the 1st time in my life I am using a sewing machine. I don't know why other tutorials exist when this video is the simplest and most comprehensive guide on sewing machine tension! Thanks a million!

[@tellezara]

Aww thanks I'm really happy to hear it's useful! :) I do the stuff in this tutorial for every new fabric I get to grips with, even after sewing for many years.

[@thrithgolden2748]

OMG genius! using different coloured threads on the top and bottom to try and sort out where your issue actually is coming from! thank you so much.

[@ruthcherry2974]

So helpful, I've been sewing for years, and having trouble with tension for just as long. This exacting tutorial is just what I need to watch. Thank you so much for taking to time to film this tutorial.

[@billwardhaugh2563]

Thanks so much for the tutorial and the way you explain everything, clear, precise and full of real information details. Thanks again, regards, Bill

[@pamelapadilla431]

The most informative video that I saw for thread tension. Thank you kindly.

[@maureenmccormick01]

Wow, explained brilliantly. I am a newbe sewer only just purchased my first sewing machine. This tutorial has given me confidence to do more....

[@sandrateer1994]

Thank you so much. I have a new Brother PQ 1500 SL on a Grace QZone Hoop frame. I worked for hours and hours, days and days trying to get the tension correct. After watching this tutorial, I conquered the problem. Now I can quilt one of the many tops I have pieced. Yea! I will recommend your tutorials to others.

[@kg8735]

this tutorial is so helpful - thank you! After years of 'winging' it with my tension dials, at last I have detailed information of what to adjust -thank you so much!

[@lisarobinette3949]

THANK YOU - I've been looking for this type of video - forever. Exactly what I have needed.

[@janagatton6084]

Brilliant testing for applying correct tension. I was as a general principle that fatter fabric needed thinner/lower tension or high to low and conversely with thinner fabric needing higher tension. One recommendation I give to any sewer is that buy a machine with a push button thread cutter or it will make all your testing a miserable experience!

[@TRACYLB12]

Brilliant explanation because I was ready to get a new machine. Thank you.

[@CCTippers]

First look I thought that machine looks familiar, further on watching and yep I have exactly the same machine which is now just my back up, I actually had the needle holder come off and put it back on what I thought look wrong but it did not show it in the manual and after seeing yours yep it’s wrong so I will take it off and put it on the right way round, I feel like a wolly as I should have known this but it’s not easy to put back on as you have to get the thread guide pin just right. Great Video as I’ve had the same issues with thread braking I do wonder if it’s just a thing with this model I’ve sewn for some years now and still tension is always a jiggling act, you have explained it brilliant, thank you.

[@joannegilmour3774]

This was an excellent video!!! Thanks for sharing it. I have struggled with understanding tension my whole life... mystery debunked!!! Thanks!

[@annette9747]

Great tutorial, very clear and concise.

[@AncoraImparoPiper]

Perfect for the complete beginner like me. Thank you! Time to pull out that machine and experiment with some material.

[@nanialoha4552]

Me too!!! Great video!!

[@naughtybynature6213]

News flash wasn’t the thread or bobbin tension it was the timing after all those hours working on it the next day it was like I had done nothing as soon as I tried zigzag stitch and went back to straight stitch it was all out of wack so then it dawned on me it’s the timing mind you I never tried doing this but let me tell you I followed a video called City Sewing 🧵 and now I fixed the tension and I can do all the stitches and come back to straight stitch and it works like a charm I have no more problems with it I’m so excited 😆 I have my baby 👶 working and it’s right beside my other machine which is computerized happy 😃 sewing and Happy New Year to all

[@diannebartolotta9641]

Thank you so much for this. I have never understood this until now.

[@susiejohnson4530]

EXCELLENT!!! I learned something in your first SENTENCE!!! Thank you. Great video.

[@manmeetkaurmadaan911]

Thanks I was wondering how to fix my machine and luckily got your video

[@tinavoyles8310]

Thank you, I finally have a good understanding of tension now !

[@user-so9hy5ku5n]

Super clear explanation for tension selection. Thank you🙏

[@zoeelauren4649]

Love it!. Very simple explanation. Thank you.

[@barbaramcgrath534]

Perfect..I have learned a lot about tension from this tutorial. Barb

[@dudenaz]

Excellent and very helpful video! Thank You.

[@darja25]

Can I just say I LOVE YOU!! you really helped me. God bless

[@tellezara]

Yay! Happy sewing :D

[@darja25]

@@tellezara It is now, with the proper tension! You really made it so clear! Cheers

[@naughtybynature6213]

I solved my tension problem after 10 hours and 18 minutes bobbin tension was too tight I figured it out after 9 hours and I adjusted it checked out all of the stitches 🧵 and it works beautifully now I was ready to get rid of it I hope 🤞 I never have a problem with my Brother tension

[@nanialoha4552]

My 3rd sewing machine but those were 80's machines.bought myself a new Brothers for my birthday! Praying I get this tention problem solved! All the thread that kept snapping off , terrible,and sooo time consuming! It would say " make a 15 minute mask" me,90 minutes,still rethreading lol..but now,this baby works like a dream machine!! Good luck to you all!! Aloha Blessings!! Oh and thank u for this awesome turtorial!! Yay!!!

[@TheWonderfulWino]

BRILLIANT!!!! Now THAT made sense!!!

[@SandraRosario-mi1zs]

Great tutorial. Thank you 😊 🥰

[@freedom1028]

This is really helpful and solved my problem. Thank you, thank you very much.

[@alexkay3677]

Thank you. Very helpful indeed.

[@kathleenarcher-il8iq]

Nice explanation video. Thank you😊

[@michaeldangelo5810]

Thak you for the tip that too high a tension results in starting to go crooked. I was wondering why the upper ones (which looked good) weren't the better choices.

[@user-yx5hc1oc8o]

Thank you for the helpful tips

[@lupemoser8558]

Great explanations, thank you so much.

[@p.s.sarojaiyer7614]

good tutorial on thread tension.

[@conniedees4159]

Thank you sooo Much.! this tutorial was a great help.

[@tellezara]

Glad to hear it :D

[@TheSumad]

Powerful teaching thanks

[@evelynmercedes1]

Thanks for the video.

[@olafurssonkyllian8153]

now THAT is a tutorial , thank you so much , and on top of that you're funny .

[@vimendoza3587]

olafursson kyllian if

[@alexhutchison4517]

Awesome. I looked and looked for a solution to my problem, and you pointed out exactly what it was. Thanks!

[@sushilasooroojpal7727]

G Hutchison ii

[@aaliyahraks]

thank you ... that helps a lot x

[@s.p.v9509]

Thank you so much for this tutorial! Best tutorial I've found to explain what tension on a sewing machine means and how to adjust it.

[@rktman1965]

Good tutorial on solving thread tension problems thank you well done. :-)

[@cornishbabe9]

great many thanks...

[@pangvang392]

How do I need to fix the machine, cause when I sewing the machine and why on top is not pretty like the butter....

[@mi13estrellas]

so do you use more tension for thicker fabrics? and for light fabric you go down in tension?

[@tellezara]

sophie m Yes, correct! don't forget you may also need a thicker needle for thicker or multi layer fabrics too!

[@honeyofoats5619]

tellezara what about stretchy fabric? I had so many problems with that fabric, what tension and else I need to do and how can I make the stitching straight and clean?

[@franciscafernandes5800]

Thanks ... but if I have skiped stiches top and bottom how should I fix.

[@janagatton6084]

Also that clunking while you sew sounds like you need to change your needle

[@alvaroocampo6349]

i love

[@sonyabond333]

If you have not done so, you need to clean and oil your machine. It sounds like it needs it.

[@tcap7917]

excellent

[@maryraab9066]

Can you help me please. My bobbin tension is making a zig zag while my top tension is perfect. What is happening here an what do I need to do to correct it? Thank you.

[@georgerosado5194]

omg..thanks so much

[@robson3813]

George rosado k

[@molliebub95]

I hope youre still active 😅 my tension level being 9 still creates loops from the top thread.. however i do have a double threading machine so im assuming and hoping its just because ive not got the thread in the right slot on the tension wheel

[@molliebub95]

I've just seen the tension dial doesn't actually do anything to the discs..

[@inayaazmi3158]

Hello.. i have a problem with the same as no. 1 the tread doesn't sew properly i keep try changes the tension but still the same what should i do?

[@tellezara]

Ensure machine is completely threaded up properly (i.e. haven't skipped any steps), that you're using the correct before for the fabric type, same thread weight on top and bottom, check your bobbin tension also (using the bobbin drop test). If you're trying to sew many layers of fabric or a single layer of very thin fabric, this can also cause tension issues. Thin fabrics can be used with stabiliser or interfacing. Hope that helps!

[@inayaazmi3158]

Thankyou for your advice

[@bethbilous4720]

So when i am sewig piping onto a throw pillow, I'm thinking i need more tension, correct? Because its thick.

[@tellezara]

Probably, yes, as you've got 4 layers to get through!

[@myrasmith7611]

my machine sticks when i start off so i have to start 2 inches in to sew

[@julannsheppard6968]

What tension do you use when you quilt?

[@tellezara]

Julann Sheppard I work it out using the exact same method as shown here, just with all my zig zag stitch settings put in, instead of straight stitch. As the choice of tension is affected by number of layers and type of fabric, you should do this test in as close to your actual sewing conditions as possible. So if I'm doing applique I will do this test with scraps of fabric, interfacing, batting etc layered as if it were the real thing. Hope that helps!

[@judyhouse1]

How about the stitch dial ?

[@ginangan8892]

Don’t know why most showing random tension and not low to high and show stitches instead of putting thread to back

[@homebodyheaven6114]

How do I know if the problem is the top or the bottom tension? My top thread is all loopy underneath while the bottom thread is just laying flat. Was that because the top tension is to loose OR the bottom tension is too tight?

[@tellezara]

Top thread tension 90% of the time! But you can always do the bobbin drop test to check your lower thread tension. Also ensure top thread is threaded properly at each stage from spool to needle, as this can cause a similar issue too (cos not enough tension if you've missed a step somewhere)

[@homebodyheaven6114]

tellezara Thank you. I have retreaded top and bottom. Still working on it. Getting closer. ❤️

[@homebodyheaven6114]

tellezara What is the bobbin drop test?

[@TheJudeJane]

Homebody Heaven Make sure you inserted your NEW needle all the way up with the flat side toward the back (check your manual in case your needle's flat side faces a different direction but most have flat side toward back) and tighten the screw by turning the screw away from you (clockwise). Always replace needles after 8-9 hours of sewing. Needles should match the fabric weight as well as needle size. Try a 14 for light to medium wovens like cotton, size 16 for heavier weight like denim, canvas, and 18 for leather. Ballpoint needles for knits (like T-shirts and those fabrics with stretch and use zigzag stitch or an overlock stitch). Hope this helps.

[@homebodyheaven6114]

Jude Jane great idea!

[@nomecognome8416]

Sarei curiosa di conoscere il tuo q.i. Su di un panno rosso... filo rosso, senza contare che non riesci a mettere a fuoco un video. Complimentoniiii!!!

[@periklisspanos7185]

No matter what after two minutes electric have no electricity and stop with problems

[@anniebrook8724]

I just repeated exactly what the author of this video did and sewed two lines of a top session 5😂

[@laura1998K]

Thank you so much 😀X

[@tasnimkausar2803]

l@@@@@@@@@@@@@

[@cinnamonchica]

nobody mentions is dial up is tighter or looser

[@tellezara]

rutipatrizia patrizia Higher number is higher tension, i.e. the tension discs grip the thread more so it's tighter :)

[@helenacordeiro-rl3ig]

Vait lixar

[@miiimoo3592]

Google.com

[@engbsapal]

you are not shwing all you are ajust upper and lower tension,you just say and move upper .you should show all setting number with mechine.

[@splitsjourney7020]

Eng Bee Teo shut up you can’t even spell

[@homebodyheaven6114]

Splits Journey maybe they don’t speak English and are doing the best they can? How many languages do you know?

[@TheMcginty222]

Hi , can I use WD- 40 instead of oil ?

[@tellezara]

Use dedicated sewing machine oil or your thread will smell of WD 40 for some time!

[@ItsDaJax]

wd 40 is not a real lubricant and it will evaporate rather quickly. Infact it's more a degreaser, than grease.

[@sewfab7805]

No, to WD-40! You need sewing machine oil.

[@tasnimkausar2803]

yyyyyyyy

[@tasnimkausar2803]

uuuuuuuuuu

[@medqueen1]

That sewing machine sounds like its ready for a metal heap

[@1Saltyone]

i think you should oil your machine , as you say you dont do it as much as you should, you sound like you make your money with your machine so you dont want it to stop because you couldnt be bothered, not a good example teach

[@jasonreyes3692]

Difficult to understand. Need to speak wiith clarity. Disappointed.

[@tellezara]

Jason Reyes sorry to hear you didn't get on with this video - I hope you found another one that explained it in a way that made sense to you best :)

[@Supernidyastar78]

Agree. Can't follow and it's constructive criticism.

[@periklisspanos7185]

If we started to saw everything falls apart, those machines have no power, my opinion trough my experience