handbags: The problem is underneath. The cause isn’t.

15.10.26

The problem is underneath. The cause isn’t.

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Morning with Corey

A medium shot shows a spool of beige thread with an orange plastic core resting on a wooden surface, next to a partially visible quilted fabric with a...

Hi Bestie,

You flip your quilt over.

And there they are.

Those annoying little loops underneath.

Naturally, your first thought is probably:

“What is going on with my bobbin?”

But here’s where sewing machines get a little sneaky…

Those loops underneath can actually be coming from your TOP thread.

Yep. The problem shows up on the bottom, while the cause can be sitting above your quilt the whole time.

If your upper thread isn’t properly seated in the tension system, it can stay too loose. Then, as you sew, that excess thread gets pulled underneath your quilt.

And voilà: loops.

Here's What Happens... 1 Upper thread isn't seated properly If the upper thread isn't correctly in the tension discs, it can stay too loose. Thread sh...

So… before you touch that tension dial,

Raise your presser foot.

This opens the tension discs so your thread can properly settle between them.

Bring your take-up lever all the way up.

Then completely rethread the top of your machine.

And we mean completely.

Don’t just stare suspiciously at the thread path and decide it looks right. 😉

Take it out. Rethread it. Then test again on a scrap.

You might solve the whole problem without changing your tension settings at all.

Here's the trick to remember

Seeing loops underneath?

Your first move should be to check the upper thread.

Because one of the most useful things you can learn about stitch tension is this:

Where the problem SHOWS UP

isn’t always where it STARTED.

Once you know that little rule, troubleshooting suddenly feels a whole lot less mysterious.

Remember,

Where the problem shows up isn’t always where it started.

If you spot loose loops underneath your quilt, don’t immediately blame the bobbin or start turning tension dials. Check your upper thread first, rethread carefully, and test again.

Sometimes, one simple reset is all it takes to get those beautiful, balanced stitches back, and get you back to the fun part.

Happy Quilting!

From Corey.