Table of Contents
Understanding Bobbin Tension in Embroidery
Loose bobbin tension can masquerade as a big machine problem. In the video, the giveaway is stark: white bobbin thread visibly peeks through red top stitching across a name. If this looks familiar on your garments—especially with airy sketch stitch styles—your bobbin tension likely needs a tiny nudge tighter.
She points right to the problem areas on the letters, where white flecks break the smooth red surface. The fix wasn’t about replacing needles or tearing down the machine—it was adjusting the bobbin case screw.
Watch out
- Don’t keep stitching over the problem and hope it disappears. It won’t; the contrast will keep showing.
- Don’t assume your whole machine is “broken.” In this scenario, the bobbin case tension is the culprit.
Quick check
- If you lightly pull the bobbin thread by hand and it slides freely with almost no resistance, that’s a classic sign the bobbin tension is too loose.
Tools You'll Need
The adjustment is simple and uses only the tools that came with your machine.
- The tiny flathead screwdriver that ships with your embroidery machine
- Your bobbin case (remove it for the adjustment)
The presenter removes the bobbin so you can see the parts clearly before proceeding. It’s a small assembly, but a single screw has an outsized effect on tension.
Pro tip
- Keep a lightly used scrap and bobbin on hand to test pull resistance after each tiny screw adjustment.
Step-by-Step Adjustment Guide
Testing Current Tension
Before you turn anything, test the pull. Remove the bobbin case and gently draw the bobbin thread by hand. If it streams out with little resistance, your tension is too loose. This confirmation step helps you avoid chasing the wrong variable.
From the comments
- Multiple viewers said their bobbin thread was “flowing freely”—they tightened the screw and immediately fixed the issue.
Now, note your starting point. Visualizing the screw head position (e.g., where the slot points) helps you move in small, controlled increments.
Making the Micro-Adjustment
Locate the tiny screw on the side of the bobbin case. Using the small flathead screwdriver, turn the screw clockwise. The video demonstrates “righty-tighty” and recommends turning in tiny amounts—about a quarter to half a turn. This small change makes a large difference.
Watch out
- Over-tightening can create new tension problems. Make only one small adjustment, then retest.
- If you accidentally turn the wrong way, reverse with a small counterclockwise nudge.
Re-testing and Fine-tuning
Repeat the manual pull test. You should feel more resistance after the adjustment. If there’s still too little resistance, add another tiny clockwise touch. If it feels too tight or your top thread starts acting up, back off slightly.
Quick check
- Aim for “noticeably firmer” rather than “hard to pull.” The video’s result shows just that—more resistance without strain.
Salvaging Your Embroidery with Re-Stitching
With the bobbin tension corrected, the presenter keeps the garment hooped and re-stitches directly over the original pass. Because the stabilizer and hooping were already sound, the second pass masks the earlier white flecks and yields a clean top surface.
Why re-stitch?
- You’ve already done the placement and hooping work. A second pass on corrected tension usually hides the previous bobbin show-through.
Ensuring proper alignment and stabilization
- Keep the fabric hooped from the original stitch-out so your registration is unchanged.
- Maintain good stabilization under the garment so the fabric doesn’t shift on the second pass.
From the comments
- When one viewer asked about puckers, the creator noted the lining wasn’t stabilized well—pinning and better stabilization would have prevented it.
The satisfying final result After the tiny screw adjustment and a carefully aligned re-stitch, the white bobbin thread disappears from the top view. The design looks uniform and professional—good enough to ship.
Pro tip - If you’re mid-order and on deadline, this quick salvage technique is a lifesaver. Keep your stabilizer consistent and resist the urge to “fix it later”—re-stitch while everything is still hooped.
When to Seek Professional Help
If you’re hesitant to adjust the screw or you’ve made a change but still see issues, you don’t have to haul in the whole machine. The video suggests a smart alternative: bring only the bobbin case—and a sample of the problem stitch-out—into your service center.
What to bring for diagnosis
- Your bobbin case
- A stitched sample showing the issue (front and back)
Many techs can spot what’s going on by examining your sample and the bobbin case, often making quick corrections on the spot.
Tips for Ongoing Tension Maintenance
Regular checks
- Do a quick pull test periodically, especially before starting a new design or material type.
- If the bobbin thread suddenly starts showing again, your screw may have loosened slightly with use. A tiny re-adjustment can set it right.
Understanding your machine
- The creator notes you should not need to adjust every single session; minor wear can nudge the screw over time.
- If you repeatedly can’t fix show-through even after tightening, inspect the bobbin case for damage. A cracked case was the root cause for one commenter.
Watch out
- Don’t crank the screw multiple turns. Tiny increments are safer and more effective.
From the comments: real-world fixes
- Several viewers reported instant success after a single quarter-turn.
- One person with persistent issues discovered a cracked bobbin case and solved it by replacing the case.
- If you experience puckering during the second pass, add stabilization and secure lining layers.
From the Comments: Real-World Fixes and FAQs
These community notes reinforce what you see in the video and add a few extra cues.
- “I never knew the bobbin had a screw you could tighten.” You’re not alone. That small screw is the entire bobbin tension system in many bobbin cases.
- “I spent hours ‘not touching my bobbin.’” If top-tension tweaks haven’t worked, check the bobbin case next.
- “Which screw do I turn?” On some models, the tension screw is the tiny side screw; one owner noted it was under a small plastic cover on a new machine.
- “It still shows even when tightened.” If you’ve tightened properly and the problem persists, inspect the bobbin case for cracks or wear.
- “Do I have to re-adjust every time?” The creator says no; normal wear can loosen it slightly, but constant re-adjustment isn’t typical.
Watch out
- Changing top tension to extremes won’t compensate for a too-loose bobbin. Fix the bobbin case first.
Quick check
- After adjustment, you should feel a firmer pull on the bobbin thread. Then, a second pass over the same design should hide previous show-through.
Bonus: Smart gear choices that support better results
While this video focuses on tension, good hooping also supports clean outcomes. If you like experimenting with different hoop systems, keep your setup matched to your machine brand and project type so stabilization remains consistent. For example, crafters who use Baby Lock machines often talk about options in their ecosystem, and Brother users report similar experiences with their brand’s ecosystem.
- If you’re hooping on a Baby Lock machine, staying consistent with your hoop style can help you read tension changes more reliably. babylock hoops
- Many home stitchers learning on their first rig look for approachable gear and clear tension tells. That’s why starter-friendly setups matter when choosing an embroidery machine for beginners.
- If you run a Brother setup and need to compare hoop fields or troubleshoot registration across hoops, knowing your frame specs helps—people often look up details like brother pe800 hoop size when planning stitch-outs.
- Some embroiderers prefer the grip and quick rehoop convenience of a magnetic embroidery hoop for repeat passes or when practicing registration.
- Mixed studios that swap hoops between brands tend to invest in reliable systems built for their machines—people often search for magnetic hoops for embroidery machines to get an overview before deciding.
- If you stitch primarily on Baby Lock and want to keep components within one ecosystem, a brand-aligned accessory like a baby lock magnetic hoop may help streamline consistent hoop behavior.
- Brother owners frequently talk about their machine families when sharing tension wins and bobbin tests; that’s why “what works on my brother embroidery machine” is a recurring thread in community comments.
Results you can expect
- Visual: No white bobbin thread peeking through top stitching
- Feel: Firmer bobbin pull on manual test
- Process: Re-stitching directly over the original hides the previous defects and preserves the project
If it’s not specified in the video, don’t guess
- The exact top thread tension numbers aren’t discussed here; the focus is on bobbin case tension.
- The presenter shows Baby Lock bobbin casings; other brands can look a little different, but the tiny screw principle is similar.
Troubleshooting at a glance
- Bobbin thread showing on top: Tighten the bobbin case screw slightly and retest the pull.
- Puckers on the second pass: Improve stabilization and secure lining layers.
- Still seeing bobbin after tightening: Inspect the bobbin case for cracks or wear; consider taking the case and a sample to a service center.
Quick reference: The micro-adjust routine
1) Test the pull. If it glides out easily, it’s loose.
2) Turn the screw clockwise 1/4 turn.
3) Test again; look for clearly increased resistance.
4) Re-stitch directly over the original while still hooped.
5) Inspect the final. It should be uniform with no white bobbin thread showing.
From the comments
- Many viewers said this simple quarter-turn “saved my project” and “fixed in minutes.”
Final thought The smallest turn can make the biggest difference. Keep your adjustments tiny, your tests consistent, and your hooping steady—and you’ll turn tension frustrations into clean, confident stitch-outs.