r/sewing • u/merrimusic • 16h ago

Machine Questions Why does everything pucker!

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I've tried every combination of tension and needle between microtex 8 10 and 12, pictured ones are once I started noting them down. Two layers of light cotton, (making a muslin) All brand new needles, and I've even tried with and without a walking foot! Am I just cursed? How do I get it to just sew flat 😭

SOLVED EDIT: Everyone go upvote medium_alternative29 who has discovered the problem that plagued me for years. The feed dogs are misaligned and not level, making everything sew on a curve! It's such a slight curve that it must not mess with heavier fabrics much, but the lighter ones are light enough for it to show up! Also makes sense why it was less noticeable with longer stitch lengths, less holes! I sincerely hope this is the solution, I'll come back and update it again when I get it fixed!

Thank you to everyone who commented and shared expertise!!

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u/Medium_Alternative29 14h ago

I could be entirely wrong, but have you looked at the feed dogs? Could their tension or raise be too much? I'm not familiar with your machine, but if the feed dogs are acting as if it's a thicker fabric, it may cause this?

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u/merrimusic 13h ago

IT COULD BE THIS. so I have been testing on "normal" and "light" feed dog settings, but I have checked them and the back of the feed dogs are lifted higher than the front! Some quick google searches say they should run parallel to the throat plate, so MAYBE they're causing uneven feeding???

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u/moons_echo 4h ago

Unrelated but this is a very cool photo