.jpg)
One of the most frustrating issues you can encounter during machine embroidery is the bobbin thread showing on top of embroidery. This problem disrupts the appearance of your design, often resulting in visible white or light-colored lines breaking through colorful stitches. Whether you’re working on a gift, a customer order, or a personal project, this issue can quickly take the joy out of embroidery.
Fortunately, it’s a common problem with straightforward solutions. In this article, we’ll explore the most likely reasons for this issue and provide practical steps to fix it and prevent it from happening in the future.
What It Means When Bobbin Thread Appears on Top
In embroidery, the ideal stitch occurs when the top thread and bobbin thread meet in the middle of the fabric or stabilizer. The top thread should be all that’s visible on the surface. When the bobbin thread is showing on top of embroidery, it means the threads are not locking properly—typically due to incorrect tension, improper threading, or unstable fabric.
It’s most noticeable when your bobbin thread is a contrasting color—commonly white or black—and your top thread is something more colorful. The resulting stitch lines can appear patchy or dotted, ruining the smooth finish of your design.
Common Causes and Their Solutions
1. Top Thread Tension Is Too Loose
This is the most frequent cause of the issue. Loose upper thread tension means it doesn’t pull the bobbin thread into the center of the fabric, allowing it to show on top.
Fix:
Increase the top thread tension slightly. Make small adjustments, running a test after each change until the stitch locks properly in the middle and hides the bobbin thread from view.
2. Incorrect Top Threading
Even if your tension settings are correct, improper threading can prevent the thread from passing through the tension discs properly, leading to tension imbalances.
Fix:
Turn off the machine, raise the presser foot, and re-thread the top thread. Ensure that it passes through every guide, the tension discs, and the take-up lever. Improper threading is a very common oversight.
3. Improper Bobbin Installation
An incorrectly loaded or poorly wound bobbin can cause erratic tension, making the bobbin thread show up on the top.
Fix:
Check that the bobbin is wound evenly and inserted in the correct direction as per your machine's manual. The thread should pass through the bobbin case tension slot and feel slightly resistant when pulled.
4. Unstable Fabric or Poor Hooping
Shifting fabric during embroidery can cause stitch irregularities, including bobbin thread surfacing.
Fix:
Make sure both your fabric and stabilizer are hooped tightly, with no slack or wrinkles. For stretchy or delicate fabrics, use a cut-away stabilizer. Always hoop both the fabric and stabilizer together unless floating is necessary—and in that case, use a basting stitch to hold it in place.
5. Using the Wrong Needle or Thread Type
Mismatched threads or the wrong needle can result in uneven stitching and visible bobbin thread.
Fix:
Use embroidery-specific needles (usually size 75/11 or 80/12) and high-quality machine embroidery thread. Be consistent with thread brands and weights for the top and bobbin to avoid tension imbalance.
Pro Tips to Prevent This Problem
- Clean your machine regularly, especially the bobbin case and tension discs.
- Replace your needle after every major project or 8–10 hours of use.
- Use compatible threads from reliable brands for both top and bobbin.
- Run a test stitch on scrap fabric before starting your actual project.
- Don’t ignore hooping—the fabric must be taut like a drum.
Final Thoughts
Seeing the bobbin thread showing on top of embroidery can be discouraging, especially when you’ve taken time to plan and stitch a beautiful design. But rest assured, this issue is very fixable. It’s usually just a matter of tension, threading, or stabilization—all of which are easy to adjust with a bit of practice.
By understanding the root causes and applying these solutions, you’ll achieve clean, vibrant embroidery results. Keep experimenting, keep learning, and most importantly, keep stitching with confidence.
A platform where you'll get embroidery designs and knowledge about embroidery.
Visit now: Stitch Digitizer
Comments