I can’t get the tensions right on my serger. Is there a trick or easier way of doing it instead of guessing?
It’s a Singer Ultralock serger. Either 14SH644 or 14SH654. The instruction manual has both written on the cover, so I don’t know which one it is. 654 has differential feed and 644 doesn’t. I have no clue what that is. But I have all 4 threads threaded if that has anything to do with it.
The back of your machine should say which it is…….differential feed is usually a knob on the side of the machine where your stitch width and length knobs are. They are often marked………….
I start with my tension knobs all set at 3 — rarely do I have to change it unless I am using a rolled hem or something.
Here are some hints if you have tried everything and your tension is still bad:
Make sure you thread your machine in the correct order. Mine goes from right to left– lower looper, upper looper, right thread and finally left thread.
Make sure your thread is engaged in the tension dials — pull up on it to make sure it is really in there — if you thread too fast some times you miss that — I have….
Make sure you have the threads in each and every loop or hook or holder it needs to go into — mine are colour coded and I often miss the lower looper one that is between the right side of the machine (where the dials are) and under the feed dogs………
Lastly — do you have new needles in? If your needles are worn or dull or in any way “off” your tension will be off no matter what you try.
I check those things first before I even begin to play with the tension dials — and inevitably it is one of those that isn’t right.