Baby Lock BLTA, Instruction & Reference Manual

Page: 178 / 204

TROUBLESHOOTING
176
Incorrect Thread Tension
■ Symptoms
• Symptom 1: The bobbin thread is visible from the
right side of the fabric.
• Symptom 2: The upper thread appears as a straight
line on the right side of the fabric.
• Symptom 3: The upper thread is visible from the
wrong side of the fabric.
• Symptom 4: The bobbin thread appears as a straight
line on the wrong side of the fabric.
• Symptom 5: The stitching on the wrong side of the
fabric is loose or has slack.
1
Wrong side of fabric
2
Bobbin thread visible on right side of fabric
3
Upper thread
4
Right side of fabric
5
Bobbin thread
6
Upper thread visible from wrong side of fabric
■
Cause/Remedy

Cause 1
The machine is not correctly threaded.
<With symptoms 1 and 2 described above>
The bobbin threading is incorrect.
Adjust the upper thread tension and then refer to “Upper
Thread is Too Tight” on page 175.
<With symptoms 3 through 5 described above>
The upper threading is incorrect.
Adjust the upper thread tension and then refer to “Tangled
Thread on Wrong Side of Fabric” on page 175 to correct
the upper threading.

Cause 2
A needle and thread appropriate for the fabric are not
being used.
The machine needle that should be used depends on the
type of fabric sewn and the thread thickness.
If a needle and thread appropriate for the fabric are not
being used, the thread tension will not be adjusted
correctly, causing wrinkles in the fabric or skipped
stitches.
* Refer to “FABRIC/THREAD/NEEDLE
COMBINATIONS” on page 49 to check that a
needle and thread appropriate for the fabric are
being used.

Cause 3
An appropriate upper tension is not selected.
Select an appropriate thread tension. Refer to “Setting the
Thread Tension” on page 62.
The appropriate thread tension differs according to the
type of fabric and thread being used.
* Adjust the thread tension while test sewing on a
piece of scrap fabric that is the same as that used in
your project.
* When the bobbin thread is visible on the right side of
the fabric.
Set the upper thread tension to a lower number. (Loosen
the thread tension.)
* When the upper thread is visible on the wrong side of
the fabric.
Set the upper thread tension to a higher number.
(Tighten the thread tension.)
Fabric is Caught in the Machine and Cannot
Be Removed
If the fabric is caught in the machine and cannot be
removed, the thread may have become tangled under
the needle plate. Follow the procedure described below
to remove the fabric from the machine. If the operation
cannot be completed according to the procedure,
instead of attempting to complete it forcefully, contact
your nearest Baby Lock retailer.
■
Removing the Fabric From the Machine
a
Immediately stop the machine.
b
Turn off the machine.
c
Remove the needle.
If the needle is lowered into the fabric, turn the
handwheel away from you (clockwise) to raise the
needle out of the fabric, and then remove the needle.
*
Refer to “CHANGING THE NEEDLE” on page 47.
d
Remove the presser foot and presser foot holder.
If the thread is entangled on the presser foot, remove the
entangled thread, and then raise the presser foot lever to
remove the presser foot. Otherwise, the presser foot may
be damaged.
*
Refer to “CHANGING THE PRESSER FOOT” on
page 50.
e
Lift up the fabric and cut the threads below it.
If the fabric can be removed, remove it.
f
Remove the needle plate cover.
* Refer to “Cleaning the Race” on page 172.

Symptom 1

Symptom 3
a
b
c
d
e
a
c
d
e
f
Note
• If the upper threading and bobbin threading are
incorrect, the thread tension cannot be adjusted
correctly. Check the upper threading and bobbin
threading first, and then adjust the thread tension.