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How to Adjust the Stitches on a Sewing Machine

Most sewing machines have three ways you can adjust the stitches: the stitch length, the stitch style and the tension. You can use a long stitch length to baste (perfect for temporary stitches you’ll want to easily pull out later) or to create gathers. A short stitch length works great for decorative stitching or buttonholes. Stitch styles allow you to create zigzag stitches, which can help keep fabric from raveling, or decorative stitches. Adjusting the sewing machine tension makes the stitches looser or tighter. Very thick fabrics may need a looser tension setting. Most machines use dials to adjust the stitch length, stitch style and tension, although high-end machines may have electronic controls. Read on to learn more about how to adjust the stitches on a sewing machine.

Things You'll Need

  • Sewing machine
  • Scrap of fabric
  • Thread
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Instructions

  1. Adjust the Stitch Length

    • 1

      To make longer stitches, set the stitch length to a higher number. On many sewing machines, four is the longest possible stitch length and two is average.

    • 2

      To make shorter stitches, set the stitch length to a lower number. At a zero, the sewing machine may not actually make stitches, since the needle will go up and down in one place.

    • 3

      Cut a small scrap of fabric, preferably the same type you want to sew with.

    • 4

      Sew a few test stitches on the scrap. Examine the stitches to make sure they’re the length you want.

    • 5

      Adjust the stitch length again as needed.

    Adjust the Stitch Style

    • 6

      Set the sewing machine to a zigzag or decorative stitch by turning the dial or setting the electronic control.

    • 7

      Cut a small scrap of fabric, preferably the same type you want to sew with.

    • 8

      Sew a few test stitches on the scrap.

    • 9

      Examine the stitches to make sure they’re the type and size you want. Zigzag and decorative stitches can look very different depending on the stitch length. For example, a scalloped decorative stitch may only look right with the stitch length set at one.

    • 10

      Adjust the stitch length as needed and repeat Step 3 and Step 4.

    Adjust the Tension

    • 11

      Set the upper tension tighter by turning the dial slightly to the right, or looser by turning the dial slightly to the left. (Or by using the electronic control if the sewing machine has one.) This adjusts the tightness of the main thread.

    • 12

      Set the lower tension slightly tighter or looser using the dial or electronic control. This adjusts the tightness of the bobbin thread.

    • 13

      Cut a small scrap of fabric, preferably the same type you want to sew with.

    • 14

      Sew a few test stitches on the scrap. Examine the stitches to see if they’re too tight or too loose. The stitches should lie flat against the fabric, without pulling the fabric or making loops that stick out.

    • 15

      Repeat Step 1 to Step 4 again as needed.


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