Page 19
Drawing the Bobbin Thread to the Top of
the Quilt
1. After threading the machine, plug it in and turn on
the power. Place quilt sandwich under hopping foot.
2. While firmly holding the tail of the needle thread with
the left hand, choose one of the following methods to
cycle the needle through one full rotation to bring the
bobbin thread to the top of the quilt.
A. Foot Pedal Method. LIGHTLY tap the foot pedal to
make the needle go down. Then LIGHTLY tap again to
bring the needle up.
B. Needle Up/Down Button Half-Stitch. Find the
Needle Up/Down Button in the lower left of the color
touch screen main display. Press once to cycle the
needle down. Press again to cycle the needle back up.
C. Needle Up/Down Button, Full-Stitch. Find the
Needle Up/Down Button in the lower left of the color
touch screen main display. Press and hold briefly to
cycle the needle through one complete stitch cycle
(down and back up).
3. Pull the fabric 3-4 inches away while holding the
needle thread.
4. Bobbin thread will pull up and through to the top,
allowing you to grasp the loop and pull it to the desired
length.
Figure 15
IMPORTANT NOTE:
Top thread tension should be adjusted
only after the bobbin case foundation tension adjustment is
made.
Puckering, gathers and thread breakage occur when the
top tension is too tight. Loops and thread nests occur
on the back when the top thread tension is too loose.
(See Figure 16 on next page.) Tension may need to be
adjusted, depending on the fabric, thread or batting used
in each project.
Unlike the bobbin case adjustment, which requires
minute adjustments (like the tick of a clock), the top
tension knob may require turns anywhere from 1/4 of a
turn to 2-4 turns to achieve balanced tension.
Tighten Top Thread Tension
To adjust the top tension tighter, turn the top thread
tension knob (page 10, Figure 1, #5) clockwise.
Top Thread Tension Adjustment
Checking and Adjusting Bobbin Case
Tension
The bobbin case tension is the foundation tension
for the entire machine. To test that bobbin tension is
correct, hold the bobbin case in the palm of your hand
with the open end facing up. Wrap the thread around
your index finger and lift the bobbin case from your
hand. While gently moving the finger front to back (not
up and down, which is not consistent), the bobbin case
should slide slowly down the thread, like a spider on its
web.
The small screw in the center of the tension spring is
where the adjustment is made (see Figure 15). Turn
clockwise to tighten and counter-clockwise to loosen
the bobbin case tension. Make very small adjustments.
Check the bobbin tension every time a new bobbin is
inserted.
Tighten Bobbin Case Tension
The bobbin case tension is TOO LOOSE if it will not
lift up onto its side. Turn screw clockwise to tighten.
The bobbin case screw requires very small adjustments.
Think of the “tick of a clock” . Adjust, then check. Adjust
and check again.
Loosen Bobbin Case Tension
The bobbin case tension is TOO TIGHT if it lifts out of
your hand. Turn screw counter-clockwise to loosen.
The bobbin case screw requires very small adjustments.
Think of the “tick of a clock” . Adjust, then check. Adjust
and check again.
