sewout tension problem

[Shuffletown Embroidery]

Here's a variation on a common theme:
I just stitched out a custom design that I last did several years ago. This time I had to tweak the fill stitches because there were gaps between the fills. My older sample sewout was perfect.
For some time now I have had to tweak other designs, both custom and stock, for the same reason.
Subtle as it is, I wonder if this represents a change in my machines' performance, especially after seeing the latest stitch out of this old design.
One thing I can think of that is different is acti-feed. Is there any reason to believe that this could affect the sewouts adversely? Perhaps my settings are wrong?
Has anyone else noticed this kind of thing? Any ides or solutions?
Thanks
Mary

[GF]

I think so. I had the same problems from designs sewing out differently as well. Changing the actifeed settings improved the design in a huge way. I'm starting to keep a chart of the different settings for different fabrics, etc. But, yes, I too have experienced the same exact thing.

[Shuffletown Embroidery]

Thanks for sharing. Did you increase your run/fill feed? My columns seem to be OK at 40.

[GF]

For the most part, 40 works fine for me too. I increase to 60 if I'm sewing on batiste or fine linen. 100 seems to also be fine. The lower limit is what seems to be imperative to the design quality. That changes with every single job I run now and I've seen a huge improvement and less thread breaks. If I get a false bobbin break, I decrease by one more. Also, my bobbin tension is like the test . . . 1-2 inch drop.

[cbireley]

I am new to this embroidery language and just the whole business, even tho' I've been in it for 2 years. I still have thread breaks randomly...it'll stitch out fine once, then break 10 times the next, same design, same fabric, etc. That is the most frustrating part for me. Where do I find the fun/fill feed setting? I have not fiddled much w/my settings as I didn't get much instruction on this when taking my class. Any more hints will be welcomed!

[Rod or Sharon]

Cindy,

Look under "Settings", Thread Feed". This is where you can set both bobbin column width and run fill speed. You can also find these tools while using the "Settings by Color" tool found under "Settings" and in the "Color Sequencing" tab.

Rod Springer
Amaya Tech & Trainer

[cbireley]

Thanks...what is the "magic" number? And why do I have breaks sometimes and sometimes not, on the same design?

[Rod or Sharon]

Cindy,
Normally the default settings will take care of most of the embroidery. Run fill, only applies to fill elements. Adjusting this to a higher number will not increase the "lenght of the stitch", but will add extra thread to the stitch, thereby loosening up the fill so it will not tend to look so dense and will lay on top of the garment instead of being sucked down so tightly into it..

Adjusting bobbin column width mainly is used when bobbin is showing through on top of the garment, loops are happening, etc... If you are using "auto activ-feed" it should adjust itself to any extra bobbin tension caused by narrowing the bobbin column by feeding more thread as it compensates for what it sees as material thickness changes. If you are using the "Standard" acti-feed setting, then you may need to adjust material thickness as well as bobbin column and/or run/fill speed to acheive the best results.

You asked for a magic number....unfotunately, there is none. The default settings are about the closest magic number you will find.

If you are experiencing good/ok sewing on one design and then multible breaks on the same design on another run.... this is normally caused by changes in hooping tension, type of backings, presser foot height is a big factor and bobbin tension can also play a big part as well as a multitude of other things such as rayon vs poly thread, speed, material, digitizing, dense designs, etc, etc.....

Rod