Does anyone have a Huskystar 224/know a lot about sewing machines?

Question

My stitches are coming out all wrong -- the top stitches are fine, but the bottom stitches are way too loose, so my fabric lips under the stitches. I'm pretty sure it's a tension problem, but how do I fix it?

Thanks.

Answer 1

There are loops on the underside of the fabric, but the top looks ok?

Most likely, you didn't get the top thread into the tension assembly when you were threading -- the presser foot lever MUST be up during threading to allow the tension disks to open.

Take the top thread off the machine completely, and with manual in hand, thread again from scratch after raising the presser foot.  Some machines sort of need the thread "flossed" into the tension a bit -- just make sure it enters.  When you get ready to thread the needle, you can drop the presser foot to give yourself a little more room to thread the needle.

Answer 2

I am not familiar with your machine, but I have sewn for over 40 years. You need to try adjusting your top tension and/or clean lint from the tension discs. Since the top stitches look good, your bobbin tension is okay. If the bottom stitches are off, that means your top tension is in need of adjustment. I hope this helps you some. Good luck!

Answer 3

I am very familiar with the Huskystar line of machines which were made for the Husqvarna company as entry level machines.

  Just for a lark, try this experiment:  Thread the upper thread with 1 color and the lower thread with a different and contrasting color.  Sew a few inches on a scrap.  Are the loops on the updersided of the fabric the color of the top thread?  Yeah,  I thought so.  This means that the upper thread tension is too loose or the bottom is too tight.  Most likely the upper tension is the culprit.  While we have our machine threaded, try this experiment:  with a magic marker or some other type of marker, put a spot on your upper thread just above where it comes out of the upper tension.  Now turn your handwheel towards you slowly and watch the marked spot closely.  You will see it move through the take-up lever and down through the eye of the needle and then back up again.  What does this show?  About 3 1/2" to 4" of thread goes through the eye of the needle each time the machine makes a stitch, then is pulled back out by the take-up lever, leaving only a very small part of thread to make the stitch.  The ability of the take-up lever to pull this thread back up is affected by the tension being able to hold the thread tight while the take-up is moving.  Make sure your thread is inserted into the tension assembly between the discs and th at the tension is set at 4-5.  If you find it necessary to set the lower tension, use a great deal of care not to turn the s***w more than 20 degrees in either direction as the s***w is very short (1/8"+/-) as is easily lost.  Use the bobbin tension as a last resort.  Hope this helps