SINGER 177 - Manual (Page 26)

REGULATING THREAD TENSION
Correct tension is important because too much
or too little will weaken your seams or cause
the fabric to pucker. Make a test sample with
the fabric and thread you plan to use. A perfect
stitch will have the needle and bobbin threads
locked between the two layers of fabric with
no loops on top or bottom and no puckers.
Needle-Thread Tension
The tension dial regulates the degree of tension
on your needle thread. Set it according to the
type of thread and fabric you use. The numbers
on the dial eliminate guesswork in duplicating
settings.
If the stitches in your sample look loose,
increase needle-thread tension. If the fabric
puckers, decrease tension.
• To increase tension,
turn dial to a higher
number.
• To decrease tension,
turn dial to a lower
number.
Bobbin-Thread Tension
Bobbin-thread tension is controlled by a screw
located on the bobbin case. You will seldom
need to adjust it since it is usually possible to
obtain the correct balance by adjusting needle-
thread tension alone.
Should it become necessary to adjust bobbin-
thread tension, use the small screwdriver that
comes with your machine. A very slight turn will
produce a noticeable change in bobbin-thread
tension.
• To increase tension,
turn screw clockwise.
• To decrease tension,
turn screw counter­
clockwise.
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