If your needle thread tension is stronger, your bobbin thread will be pulled to top of your fabric. If your bobbin thread tension is stronger, needle thread will be visible on underside of your fabric. When tension is just right and evenly balanced, stitch will lock in middle, halfway between top and bottom of your fabric. This is what you want and have to find. It might take some playing around with your tension guide, but worth extra bit of time it takes.

TEST - TEST- TEST

The easiest way to test your tension is to thread your machine and put one colour thread in your machine with a totally different colour in your bobbin. Neither one should match your fabric. You need to examine your stitches.

If your tension is too tight, you will see your bobbin thread on top.

If your tension is too loose, you will see your top thread on bottom of fabric.

If your tension is correct, you will see machine thread only on top of fabric and bobbin thread only on underside of fabric.

MAKING ADJUSTMENTS:

BEFORE you start adjusting your tension, make these three checks. This is very important.

1. Be certain your machine is threaded properly. Even long time sew-ers can miss a thread guide.

2. Be sure your bobbin is properly installed.

3. Make sure your needle is inserted properly.

After going thru three checks, you may have to adjust tension in order to sew a good stitch. Check your manual to see how this is done. Each time you have adjusted, sew a line of stitching. You should only have to make small, slight adjustments to correct your stitch.

If after what seems like an eternity of changes, you still don't have a balanced stitch, leave your machine. Don't even look at it for a few hours, maybe a day or so. Then go back and try again. It could be you are tired, frustrated or distracted. It happens to all of us.

Or, it could be that your bobbin needs adjusting. Most sewing machine manufacturers don't want you to adjust your bobbin tension. If your manual doesn't cover this area, then it is best to take your sewing machine in to a dealer or reputable repair man.

Happy Sewing!

On other hand, a strong sales pitch can also steer you in wrong direction. Paying for a top of line model doesn't mean you are getting machine you will be happiest with. You must resist urge for that impulse buy. Go home and talk to someone who sews. Find out their experiences and listen to what they have to say. Again, take your time with this decision.

If you have visited all dealers, and test driven their machines visit them all again. Visit again when you are rested and can make a clear decision. Go back and take a second look at those machines. You are looking at them with new eyes now. Maybe there are a few things you never noticed first time that stand out now. What about that foot pedal, is it comfortable? Do you want even feed feature? Does machine run smoothly and quietly? Are there more programmes than you will ever use? If so, make a mental note and you can scale down your possible choices. This second visit will tell you more than you expect.

Ask about warranty that comes with each machine. Be sure you know who is responsible for standing behind it, your dealer or manufacturer. Are repairs made locally or will you have to pack everything up and send it away.

Be very sure you understand what is included with sewing machine. Which feet, how many bobbins and what about a manual. The manual is very important. You will refer to manual time after time so it should be a good reference guide to all accessories and stitch designs along with any other functions. The manual should be full of pictures and diagrams for basic sewing as well as clear directions. If your manual isn't helpful, do you want to go searching out answers every time you have a problem. I wish I had a penny for every time someone has emailed me with a problem that their manual doesn't answer.

Be sure you get your sales agreement in writing and keep your copy in a safe place. Nothing less will do.

The bottom line is you must do some work before you ever sew your first stitch. If you make effort and educate yourself, rewards of a great sewing machine are yours.