Your two hour design has just finished stitching. You unsnap the hoop from the machine to take a closer look at your newest creation and see little white specs throughout the design!! What are these specs? Why are they there? How can you fix it? Read on to learn what is causing these white specs on your designs and how to prevent it in the future!

Cause: The tension is not set correctly and the bobbin thread is peeking through to the top of the design. Each white spec is from the bobbin thread underneath the design.

Solution: If you are still stitching your design, try tightening the bobbin thread to pull it toward the bottom or try loosening the top thread. If adjusting the tension does not accomplish anything, put the same color of thread in the bobbin as what is in the needle. Don’t use normal sewing thread; it is heavier than bobbin thread and will cause more bulk in the design. There is also more of a chance of thread nests in the bobbin area and thread breakage if you use sewing thread. Embroidery thread is lighter weight and can be used in the bobbin as well as in the needle. If your design is finished, use a fine tip marker to color in the white specs. Keep in mind that these are temporary solutions; take your machine to your dealer to have the tension adjusted.

Prevention: Watch your machine as you get started stitching. Make sure the thread looks ok without any white specs of the bobbin thread starting to show on the design. If you start to see some white appearing, stop the machine, adjust the tension and start stitching again. If you know your machine had a tendency to do this, use the same thread in the bobbin as in the needle. Take your machine to an authorized dealer on a regular basis to keep the tension running smoothly.

white bobbin thread showing on the front of the design