4w ago

Newbie questions

Hiya, playing with a cheap mini sewing machine I was gifted. I haven't used a sewing machine since Home Ec 20 years ago.

First question is so basic that it isn't covered by any of the instructions I've read or watched. When I finish sewing a section, there are two threads hanging out of each end of the stitches. One is from my thread spool, the other from the bottom bobbin (according to my machine's instructions). If I pull the bottom thread, it just comes straight out. The top thread is at least looped around the bottom thread. Am I supposed to tie these together at each end every time? Is there some trick I'm missing?

Second question is maybe about my specific machine. The loops of top thread that go around the bottom thread are really loose. Any guess what I've done wrong to cause that?

Thanks in advance.

12 comments

The stitches shouldn't be that loose! In general unless you are doing something like basting stitches or something really odd, the stitches should be tight enough that they just stay in place. It looks like your tension is set wrong and needs to be adjusted. Make small moves with the adjustment dial and run a quick test each time.
- I'll fiddle with the tension knob, thank you. On this machine, at least, it sends to go from too tight to too loose with very little adjustment between!
If the top thread is the black one and the bobbin thread is the white one then your top tension is waaaaay too low. Set the tension to a middle value and adjust from there. Don't forget to rethread the top thread after adjusting the tensions by big amounts. In general it's also a good troubleshooting step.
About finishing the end threads, part of the issue is the tension. If you fix that it will get better, but the correct way to finish the seam is with a back stitch. Most machines have a button dedicated to that function, see if you can find it on yours.
In some situations it is also acceptable if you pass over one of the threads to the same side as the other one and tie the ends yourself. The back stitch is preferable because it's faster and less fidly
Welcome to the hobby, have fun! :)
- I really appreciate the detailed reply!
  Yes, the dark thread is the top and the bobbin is white.
  I loosened the tension because the thread kept snapping, but there must be a middle ground. I'll fiddle with it.
  There's no reverse or specific back stitch button, I attempted my own by stopping, lifting the foot, rotating the work piece, and putting a few stitches the other way.
  Thank you very much!
  
  Is your thread cotton? I personally always have trouble with cotton thread snapping, so I prefer poliester.
  The thread snapping might also be fixed by rethreading the machine, so you can try that as well.
  About the back stitch, it's a shame your machine does not have it. I consider it an essential feature, but I understand you're just dipping your toes. Most full size entry level machines should have it, and they can be pretty cheap second hand.
  If you are turning your piece make sure you lower your needle into the fabric before lifting the presser foot.
  
  The backstitching is probably not by a button. On mine, and many like it, there's a bar used to change stitch length. If you go to the end that's as short as possible, it will run backwards.
  My machine is so old and simple that's the only thing it can do other than a straight stitch, so yours should be able to somehow.
This appears to be a problem with regular tension (since it's so loopy), but if you can't get it right so that the two threads "meet in the middle of the fabric", you could potentially need to adjust bobbin tension, too.
On my machine, the bobbin tension is adjusted by a screw, and i guess whoever had it last thought that it was just an loose screw that needed to be tightened all the way. No matter how much increased tension in my top thread, the bobbin thread would still end up straight like this.
- Thank you, I was able to find the sweet spot on the top thread tension.

12 comments