The sewing machines are all about dealing with thread. The core sewing machine components such as the needle, bobbin and the tension control, etc, relates to the proper working of the thread. The variety of stitches on the fabric using a singer sewing machine is all done with the different threads available and rest is done by the machine. If there is some stitching quality or the machine performance issue then it might not be directly related to the quality of the thread but certain other adjustment issues raises such problems. The specialty thread adjustment issues should be learned by the novice users in order to make their stitching a lot more productive. A lot of things would be best learned by all the sewing hobbyists with experience. But, this guide is good enough to get you on the right page with all the basic needs related to the adjustment of the specialty threads.
Threads with stretch:
There are a few types of commonly used specialty threads which have stretch in them. The most common types include the hologram and the mono filament which is stretchable. You can test it yourself by taking a small piece of any of the thread and just give it a slight pull. You can easily feel the stretch present in them. In order to note the difference, you can take a cotton thread and try the same thing of pulling.
You will notice the difference as there wouldn’t be any stretch noticed at all. Therefore, such threads with tension actually generate their own specific tension just as they flow from the spool by going through the different guides until they reach the needle. It is recommended for this very reason that you must wind the bobbin slowly when doing it with a monofilament thread. This would curtail the stretch of the thread just as you wind it around the bobbin.
According to the expert sewing persons, they reduce the tension of the thread by 2 levels in order to counter the thread stretch for the monofilament type of thread. But, the tension is finally settled after doing some test and dry runs by maneuvering the tension levels.
Decorative threads:
The majority of the decorative threads is usually larger in size in comparison with a 50 wt cotton fabric with which we piece with. When dealing with such decorative threads, you must be prepared to adjust your thread tension by reducing it.
Any thicker or the larger thread would create tension as it winds around the bobbin. You must reduce and test the tension on a practice cloth until you are sure about reaching a balanced stitch tension control.
Decorative threads may also come in varied thickness and texture. In order to cope up with this variety in the thickness of the thread, you should be aware of the needle required as well as the adjustment level on your sewing machine. You can consult the directions mentioned on the thread box or can try our various settings as mentioned above to get to the right one.
But, in either cases you should not try it out directly on the actual cloth on which you have to make the design, rather try it out on a small useless piece of cloth to help you avoid any damage to your masterpiece.
Metallic Threads:
The composition and the weight of the metallic thread are very different from all other types of threads. This uniqueness in the thread characteristic demand you to lower the tension of the needle just as it is required. Such threads need very delicate handling and need to be used in a slight way to avoid getting damaged or pulled. Pulling of such threads would not only cause damage to the thread, but also to the fabric you are applying it. If pulled, it would result into lumps on the cloth and deformation of the thread also.
You just adjust and test the tension until the desired and balanced stitch level is obtained from your sewing machine. The trick is to start from a loose setting and slightly go through it to make it a little tighter but not too tense. A gradual increase in the tension would let you know the exact level you should set your sewing machine for neat and clean stitching and design.