How To: Deal & Understand Tension Problems (Sewing for Beginners)

Learn all about tension, what is tension on the sewing machine. How do you change tension on the sewing machine. What is good tension and what is bad tension and how do you correct bad tension?

In this video Aneka shares examples of good tension, as well as bad tension and how to correct the problem. We will be talking about the needle thread tension, but also discuss bobbin thread tension.

LINKED TUTORIALS:
How To: Fake (Faux) Cover Stitch: Coming Soon 12.38

ANEKA WEARS:

FEATURED:

[leighhamilton]

Beginner here, and I learned more about tension and how to correct it in the first 20 seconds of this video than I have reading manuals. Thank you for getting straight to the point and teaching beginners what we need to know.

[aarone]

As a man who has no choices in some one to turn to in regards to repairing clothes and no other options I appreciate this very much; it has been a burr under my saddle for awhile. Thanks!!!

[teenaburton]

Thank you sooo much, it was the screw on my bobbin! I have been sewing for 50 years and didnt know you could adjust the tension in the bobbin!!!!😏🤣

[brianpoi]

I love this beginner video format. Short, single topic, and to the point.

[DuluthTW]

This is the lesson I needed most. Thanks for sharing!

[laurajones]

Excellent tips for determining tension problems. Whilst I always rethread my machine when I encounter problems, I had never heard of lowering the presser foot to check the tension. Thank you so much for this series, Aneka! xx

[marcuslitchfield]

Thank you so much. This solved a problem for that would have had be quit sewing.

[tebsa]

Wow! Thank you! You're the only sewer I've seen who discussed bobbin tension as well as machine tension. I didn't know there was such a thing. My sewing machines are 2nd hand, so I don't have manuals handy.

[daisymay]

Thank you for your clear and easy to understand lesson on tension... my machine is working perfectly again!

[interestedobserver]

One of the most useful videos I have seen for anyone interested in sewing. Very well done and a really organized explanation of the topic.

[its_kierrr]

Hi! I just wanted to say thank you so so so much! I’ve been trying to use the sewing machine and it had been having so many issues and I couldn’t figure out what was wrong. This ended up fixing it and I couldn’t be happier with the result!!! Thank you!

[ToriaStitch]

thank you so much, just sorted my tension out, been sewing for years and this is the first time I've had problems. Big thumbs up

[LornaKelso]

I really wish I'd watched this BEFORE I started messing with my bobbin tension!

[bellaa]

Thank you!!!! Finally I found someone to explain how to fix the bobbin tension!!!!

[supermom]

Thank you so much for posting this video. It was very helpful as usual. The tip about lowering the pressure foot was enlightening. My sewing looks so much more professional since watching you videos.

[ladonnamartinez]

Thank you for much for sharing great information in an easy to understand way!!!! I'm enjoying all your tutorials.

[jeanneblondewomanstamping]

Great video. Nice and clear and not rushed. I have an older machine with a knurled knob with no marking on it. I have managed to figure out the middle by counting how many times my finger has to push the knob in the little gap from the highest tension to the lowest tension (where the knob starts turning — at each extreme). Ten I divided by two and figured stroking the knob that many times from either extreme setting should put me in the middle. I tried marking the knob there but it is pointless as the mark goes round and round on the knob through the range from one extreme setting to the other. What a pain! Great tip on having an extra bobbin to take to the repair shop so you can have one for standard sewing and one to adjust if needed for a special fabric. TFS.

[annlallande]

Great, to-the-point tutorial. It gave me the courage to adjust the tension on my machine. Thanks!

[lizziedi]

New to sewing, and just found your videos. Thank you for your straight forward, easy to follow explanation. Its made a huge difference to my understanding of tension. Best wishes

[ramaahbk]

You're the best. I watched many vids and google searched but no one told me if it is lower in number or higher that means low tension.