sewing help
 

I absolutely love the stitched look in scrapbooks. For a while I was using one of those cheap hand held things - but I finally took the plunge and bought a sewing machine. It is a Singer and was $100 - so I don't think I got a cheap model...
Here is the trouble....
When I stitch, it pulls up the bobbin thread from underneath. So, it looks like a string of thread with loops coming from under. It looks horrible. Also, when I try to do zig zags and other designs it just changes the bobbin thread pattern and not the top thread pattern.
I am fairly new to sewing machines so if there are any experts out there, I would love your help.

Did your machine come w/a manual? I have experienced many issues like this before and the manual was very helpful in troubleshooting problems.
Have you tried on fabric or just pages?

There is a button on your machine that adjusts the tension of the thread. Look at your manual to see which button it is and which way you have to turn it.

Good Luck :)

Sounds like your top tension is too tight or your bobbin tension is too loose. Adjust the top tension first by going to one number lower at a time (five to four for example). Shouldn't have to go much lower than a 4 on most machines. You might also check bobbin tension. If it is the type that has a bobbin case, take it out and hold the thread between your fingers and let the bobbin case fall. It should not slide. In other words, no more thread should unwide from spool. If it does, your bobbin tension is too loose. There is a small set screw on the case. Tighten this only 1/4 of a turn at a time as it doesn't take much. Hopefully you have a manual with a picture of which way to turn the screw. Tighten just until the bobbin case no longer "slides" on the thread. Bobbin tension is tricky and really should not be adjusted except as a last resort.

This is a thread tension problem. But, I use my sewing machine a lot for my cards. I have a pretty expensive machine--Bernina 200--and you do have to consider some things. Aside from your tension problem (in your case the bobin tension is to loose) you need to use what is called a Top Stitching needle in a size 12 for 1-2 layers of card stock. 2-3 layers go up to a size 14.

Now doing the following should take care of your problem. Usually to adjust the bottom tension you need to remove your bobin from its case and there will be a screw (very tiny screw) you need to turn it to the right (righty tighty, lefty loosey), think of a clock as you turn it and give it a quarter turn. put it back in the machine and try sewing. Keep doing this until the thread is even on both sides. You could possible turn the screw so tight that you reverse the problem, then you need to turn the screw the other way just a little at a time. Does all that make sense?

Okay, after all that, when you use a zizzag stitch, it will ziz zag on the top, but not always on the bottom. It depends on the stitch. The more detail the sitch the more the thread from the bobin show the design. This is a very hard one to explain, so please just take my word on it.

Let me know how it goes.
sewingmw

If none of the above helps make sure you have the correct bobbin for your machine.

thanks for all of the help. I am going to go play with it right now!

-Lori