Tangled thread on a sewing machine

[swirlyarts]

Bit of an odd question this but sometimes when I use my sewing machine the thread on the back of what I am sewing gets all tangled and looks a right mess. What can I do to stop this? Is it because I am using regular thread and not sewing machine thread? Is there such a a thing as sewing machine thread? It's not a major problem but I like everything to be nice looking!
Thanks in advance
Lynsey

[candles by lisa]

Hi Lynsey,

I am not a sewer at all. However my mum was a machinest and had a sewing machine that kept doing that. It had something to do with the tension!! Don't ask me what. The stiches looked fine from the front of the material but when you looked at the back it was full of big loops.

Hope that helps.

Lisa

[julz]

Hi Lyndsey

Lisa is right it is to do with the tension. Have a fiddle about on some scrap fabric untill you get it right. Also make sure that when you are winding your bobin thread that it is at the right tension also (not to loose)

Julz

[Apple Tree Crafts]

....a new needle. And also see if there's any lint or bits of thread jamming the works under the bobbin case.

Also, when you start to sew, make sure you have hold of both threads for the first half inch of sewing. Sometimes they can get tangled back into the machine and will cause problems.

And I know ths sounds patronising, but check your threading.....

Jules

[swirlyarts]

Not at all patronising! Thanks guys - I'll have a go tomorrow with all your tips. I'll be back if I still have problems :sm:

[Annette]

I agree with Jules - change the needle, more often than not this will sort the problem out.

Annette