If you have spent any time free motion quilting, tension issues have probably shown up at least once. Sometimes they appear suddenly, even when everything seemed to be working just fine a few minutes earlier. That moment can feel frustrating or even discouraging, especially if you are still building confidence at the machine.

This post walks through a real tension issue that came up while I was quilting. Nothing was staged or planned. The stitches simply started feeling wrong, and instead of cutting that part out, I kept quilting and talked through what I noticed and how I fixed it. Those moments are often where the most helpful learning happens.

Watch the Video: Fixing a Real Tension Issue While Quilting

In the video, the first sign of trouble was how the quilt felt under the machine. The stitching began to feel tight and resistant instead of smooth. That physical feedback is often the earliest clue that tension needs attention.

When the quilt was turned over, the issue became more obvious. The stitches on the back were pulled so tightly that the top thread was showing through. That usually means something is too tight somewhere in the system.

How to Start Troubleshooting Tension Issues

When tension looks wrong, the best place to start is by slowing down and checking one thing at a time. There is no need to adjust everything at once.

A helpful first step is to cut the thread and remove the quilt from the machine. Lift the presser foot and gently pull the top thread. If it pulls away smoothly and without resistance, the top thread is usually not the source of the problem.

Checking the Bobbin

In this case, the issue was the bobbin. Sometimes the bobbin thread slips out of position in the bobbin case. When that happens, tension can become too tight very quickly.

Removing the bobbin and reinserting it correctly often fixes the issue right away. That simple step is usually worth trying before making any further adjustments.

If reinserting the bobbin does not help, the next step is to look at bobbin tension. Most machines have a small screw on the bobbin case. This adjustment should always be done carefully and in very small increments.

Turning the screw slightly to the left loosens the tension. Turning it slightly to the right tightens it. Sewing machine manuals usually include guidance for this adjustment, and testing on a scrap piece before returning to the quilt is always a good idea.

A Reminder About Tension and Learning

Tension problems do not mean something is broken or that quilting skills are lacking. They are a normal part of working with thread, fabric, and a moving machine. Even experienced quilters encounter these moments.

Learning to recognize what feels off and calmly work through the problem is part of building confidence at the machine. Over time, these checks become more automatic and much less stressful.

This kind of troubleshooting shows up often in Quilt as Desired. The class includes real-time quilting, practice-based lessons, and moments where things are adjusted and fixed along the way. If free motion quilting demos like this are helpful, more details can be found at Quilty Class.

Sometimes the most valuable lessons happen right in the middle of a mistake.