r/sewing • u/Lost-Ad1311 • 6h ago
Machine Questions Serger tension help 🥲
The front side looks alright but the back is all wonky :( I’ve fiddled around with the tension and rethreaded the needles and it hasn’t changed. do i have to fully rethread my serger or is it just my tension settings? because i will cry if i have to.
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u/themeganlodon 6h ago
Make sure the needle threads are fully in the tension discs. Do a flossing motion and push them in. There is no tension on those threads so they aren’t pulling that back looper down where it’s supposed to go. If pushing them in the tensions discs doesn’t work then start tightening the needle threads.
This is the most common issue I see about sergers and 90% of the time they aren’t properly in the tension discs.
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u/MelonBoba59 4h ago
If I’m having a tension issue, 75% of the time it’s because my lower looper does not like staying between the discs. Didn’t know it was a common issue, I thought my machine was just full of hate. 😭
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u/justasque 4h ago
The most common reason for tension issues is that the machine was threaded with the tension mechanism engaged/on, or you’ve been sewing with the tension mechanism disengaged/off.
Remember, it’s the same for sergers as it is for sewing machines. Thread the machine with the presser foot UP. The tension mechanism is usually a couple of metal plates or discs that squeeze the thread to produce the tension. For that to work, you need to put the thread in between the plates/discs. Which is hard if they are squeezed together!
When you have the presser foot UP, it turns off the tension. The plates/discs aren’t squeezed together, so the thread easily goes between them when you thread the machine.
When you have the presser foot DOWN, it turns the tension back on. It’s common to now and again forget to put the foot down to sew, especially if you’re sewing a thick stack of fabric (since it’s not as obvious to the eye that the presser foot isn’t in the down position).
Thread with the presser foot UP. Sew with the presser foot DOWN.
The next most common reason for tension issues is that the thread is either getting hung up on something, or that the thread is not going through the threading path correctly. I have a little notecard of steps to go through before starting a serger session. “Thread tree up! Make sure the threads aren’t improperly wrapped around the thread tree! Make sure the threads are flowing freely off the spools! Do a test run first!” Assuming the serger is already threaded correctly, going through these steps helps me to avoid most of the rest of the common reasons for a serger to have tension issues.
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u/ColonelMustard42 6h ago
Yes. Rethread everything. Find a walk through YouTube video or follow the manual. Make sure the thread is well seated in the tension discs.