Does Elvis have a tension problem?

[Iminei]

So as you may know I have had Elvis out of his body bag all week and until the last stitch of yesterday all was well,
then I had to change the bobbin and the top thread is showing on the bottom of the piece.

I know we've had this before but the stitching until the last one yesterday was really good.

Ive just stitched out the 'label' block for the 2019 coverlet and taken a pic of the back to illustrate the problem ....



linky

Any help, ideas really gratefully received and remember you are talking to a 2 year old ... I have no clue as to whats what.

@Celia @Bodgeitandscarper  @Morgan @anybodyelsewhoembroiderslots

[Acorn]

Generally speaking, if the top looks good I don't care whether the top thread shows on the bottom! 

[BrendaP]

Try rethreadig both top and bobbin threads.
But, I agree with corn, it's what the top looks like and doesn't matter much what the bottom is like.

[Morgan]

Looks like the top tension was a little slack.

Usual troubleshooting process of elimination -

Remove Threads, Clean & floss etc, then New Bobbin and New Needle.
Re-thread the machine (as per the manual) and ensure that the top thread is correctly seated in the top tension unit

Sew out a tension test design - medium weight even weave fabric + cutaway stabiliser
Adjust the top tension settings as necessary for the thread.
(I use different threads and each has it's own top tension setting and they're all different)

A couple of tension test designs if you don't have some already

http://www.originalstitches.com/free/other/tension-test-p-339.html#.XXJEpIvQiUk

https://www.lagniappepeddler.com/store/p38/Free_H_Tension_Test.html  If you have a single needle machine, you stitch out only 4 or 5 letters.  Stitch the first one at default tension, then at the colour stops increase the top tension setting by one interval.  When you look at the back you will see which top tension setting is the most balanced for that particular top thread.

More information if you're interestedhttps://forum.embroideres.com/articles.html/articles/testing-the-upper-and-lower-thread-tensions-r22/

[Iminei]

Thank you for that. Ive downloaded the H tension test and will set to tomorrow.

Where can I buy prewound bobbins ???
The first time I wound a bobbin on Elvis it was a nightmare .. the brother machine seems to have quite a tricky bobbin tensioner and this problem only occurred when I inserted a 'new' part used bobbin.

[Bodgeitandscarper]

I get lots of embroidery stuff from embroideredjust4u.  They do I think have a list of which bobbins fit which machines - yes, of course there are two types.

Do you have a pic of the top of your embroidery, Imi?  Nearly every time, tension issues are from the top thread, often not quite threaded correctly, but worth trying a different bobbin.

[Acorn]

OK, I've been trying really hard not to say this, but... valerian is really good for relieving tension.   

[Iminei]

So is Gin!

[BrendaP]

Where can I buy prewound bobbins ???

@Iminei  What size bobbins does Elvis require?

[Bodgeitandscarper]

@Iminei I can't remember what machine Elvis is, but here's the chart that tells you which bobbin you need.

Linky

[Morgan]

Where can I buy prewound bobbins ???

From Doris Darby at Embroideredjust4U (good prices for needles and stabilisers too, especially polymesh cutaway)
you want Size A
Try one of the small packs of prewound bobbins. 
It's a fine 60wt polyester bobbin thread so it goes a long, long way.  It sews very nicely.
It's finer than some of the machine branded bobbin threads like Janome or Brother so you will need to do some tension tests in case your bobbin case is set for a different weight of bobbin thread.

[Morgan]

Just a thought - on the Brother machines that I've used, I noticed that you really have to make sure the top thread runs through the top tension unit correctly so it's always worth doing that tug test before threading the needle.

Here's how to check that your Brother machine's top tension is clean - http://www.lordsewing.co.uk/blog/2014/07/31/know-your-thread-tension/


This is a really important check for anyone who has a Brother embroidery machine - it's about the little spring clip at the needle bar thread guide ( point 6 ) because it has a tendency to drop below the bar and needs to be flicked over the top.  http://www.lordsewing.co.uk/blog/2017/06/27/correct-position-of-needlebar-thread-guide/

Another very helpful group to join is this The Original UK Machine Embroidery Help & Advice   Responses to requests for help tend to be very quick.

[Iminei]

Thank you very much everyone ... This is much more difficult than just 'sewing' isnt it?

Those tuts look very good but they could do with some bigger/close up pics.

I will be back later this afternoon to have a good looky at him ... Can you clean out the bobbin area as you can with The Splurgess???
 
I dont think I've seen any ... removeability ... around that area, he seems like  a very closed machine.

@BrendaP , I think he's a 750E.

[wrenkins]

Pssst @Acorn.
Does it work for a tension deficit disorder. 

[BrendaP]

@Iminei
From https://www.thethreadexchange.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=sewing-machine-bobbin-style-info  and also the link which Morgan gave I think he takes Style A bobbins.

If anyone has a machine which uses Style F bobbins I have a box of black and a box of black and a box of white - both opened but about 50 bobbins left in each - yours for the postage.