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Decorative stitches are nice if you want to add detail to hems and collars. It’s frustrating when they don’t turn out the way you want. Here are four reasons why your sewing machine can have trouble creating decorative stitches, and what to do about each one.
Your Sewing Machine Is Not Threaded Correctly
Even people who have been sewing for years sometimes thread their sewing machines incorrectly. This is the first thing you should check if your decorative stitches do not look right.
Unthread your sewing machine and rethread it from the beginning. Make sure your thread take-up lever is in its highest position, attach your spool of thread, and then pull your thread through your tension discs and thread guides according to the instructions in your user manual. Then, pull your thread through the eye of your needle and leave a four-inch tail of thread.
Your Thread Tension Is Too Tight
Your thread tension should be adjusted for different weights of fabric and thread. Make sure that you are using the same weight thread in both your bobbin and upper thread. If you don’t, your tension can be uneven and cause your decorative stitches to not look right. Some decorative stitches also require a looser tension.
Sewing machine manufacturers suggest that you don’t mess with your bobbin thread tension too much, but you should adjust your upper thread tension if your decorative stitches don’t look right. Turn your tension dial counterclockwise to loosen it. If you can’t seem to get your tension right, a sewing machine repair technician can reset your bobbin tension.
You Are Not Using the Correct Stitch Length
Computerized sewing machines typically adjust your stitch width and length to match the decorative stitch you want to use. However, older sewing machines need to have their stitch width and length set manually. You need to choose a width and length based on your desired look. You can also try setting your stitch dial to S, for stretch.
Your Bobbin Case Is Full of Lint
Lint builds up in your bobbin case as you sew. It can get in the way of your needle and prevent the hook in your bobbin case from forming stitches properly. Clean your sewing machine frequently to ensure your decorative stitches look right.
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