Sewing machine tensions can be balanced on your own, but you need to understand the number one mistake most sewers make. When trying to do this, there is one simple thing to remember.

The first thing I always do when I get a machine on the bench is clean the upper tension discs. It is very easy to do and takes very little time. Find a piece of non-fuzzy material about 8 inches long by 2 inches wide (a soft material will work best, like non-fuzzy cotton).

Next, lift the presser foot until the tension discs are open. This will allow you to get your material inside and clean out any built-up fluff or string that might be stuck between them (look inside where you’re running your machine through for tugging if it’s not right on the outside).

Now, with the material held in a position to allow you to run it back and forth or up and down, you are ready to clean up the tension. Place your materials inside the discs and move them back and forth a few times. When you’re done, take a deep breath and blow hard on the spot where you cleaned. Make sure you set your upper tension between 4-5 or right in neutral and you’re done.

Depending on whether your sewing machine has a drop in bobbin or a snap in the bobbin, the actual cleaning that needs to be done will be the same, but I’ll try to separate the two for you. With a drop in the bobbin, the needle plate and the bobbin case must be removed from the sewing machine. Next, clean up any debris that has accumulated on and around the bobbin. A q-tip usually works well for this. Now, put a drop or two of oil in the center of the bobbin (the bobbin is what you put the bobbin case in).

Check to make sure the feed dogs don’t have any debris built up between them (the feed dogs or whatever feeds your stuff). If you see any buildup, just take your old sewing machine needle and clean it out. Reassemble the machine, insert a new needle, thread it up, and the machine should be ready to go.

For a quick in-reel tool, cleaning is about the same. The needle plate does not need to be removed, but should be, simply to check for buildup between the feed dogs (the feed dogs are what move to feed the material). If you see any buildup in between, take your old needle and clean it out. Remove the bobbin case retaining ring and bobbin case.

Clean bobbin case area – snap in bobbin. As with a drop in the roller, clean up any buildup with a cotton swab. Put a drop of oil on top of the half-moon bobbin and reassemble the bobbin case area. Put a new needle in and you should sew away! (Make sure the top tension is set between 4-5 or right in neutral and you’re done).