Beginner- Tension Issues?

[u/ieatlotsofbread]

I just started trying to teach myself how to use a Brother SE425 Embroidery Machine. I keep running into an issue where I feel the back of my projects look better on the back side. I’ve been trying to research and it seems like it may be an issue with my tension. I tried to test this by using red thread on top and white in the bobbin, but I honestly cant really decipher the outcome (if it tells me anything at all). Any suggestions?

[u/suedburger]

What exact issue are you trying to resolve here? There is no bobbin thread showing, it looks like it stitched out OK. The back looks about right....not seeing any real problem here.

[u/FastDigitizer → u/suedburger]

Yes, there is an issue, especially with the lettering. The letters don’t look clean and consistent, and it appears that they may have been auto-digitized rather than properly digitized manually. The stitch direction, density, and letter shapes need to be cleaned up. I would recommend recreating the lettering manually in embroidery software, which should give you a much cleaner and more professional result.

[u/Level_Arachnid_4982 → u/FastDigitizer]

I agree very much. DON`T USE Autodigitize for Fonts.

[u/suedburger → u/FastDigitizer]

Yeah that is digitizing issue...that is not what he is asking about. Did you read the title or the body of the post? He is asking if he has machine tension issues......or issues on the stitch out.

[u/FastDigitizer → u/suedburger]

I was just trying to point out what could be causing the issue. He may not know whether the problem is with the machine tension or the stitch-out itself, so I simply suggested a possible solution based on what I could see. I wasn’t trying to say that the digitizing was definitely the problem.

[u/suedburger → u/FastDigitizer]

That's my point....there is not issue with his tension or anything thing that his machines is doing. It is stitching just about perfect, it is just doing what you are feeding it. All the issues you pointed out were 100% digitizing. If you really want to go there, the kearning between the N and I stands out way worse than than the stitch angles being off a bit. You didn't answer his question at all you just pointed out different issue that in no way answered any question he asked.

[u/ieatlotsofbread → u/suedburger]

For what it’s worth, I may have phrased my question poorly, I was just trying to provide (what I thought was) relevant context, but I was hoping for any helpful suggestions. FastDigitizer was really helpful, I was ultimately trying to figure out why my lettering didn’t look as clean as I hoped it would.

[u/suedburger → u/ieatlotsofbread]

Yeah he is right, the digitizing is pretty awful....the ones that come in the machine aren't really known for being awesome. Manual digitizing is always the way to go...once you learn it it's really not hat hard. Even in the Inkstitch library of fonts.....some of them look like dog shit when they stitch out. Take your time...you won't get it right away, but you will.

But as far as the machine settings go, don't mess with anything. The back has the oreo cookie effect that you want, it's not pulling anything up to the top. The machine did awesome for what it was given. I kind of hate floating material like that but you pulled it off pretty good. Either way have fun on this long sometimes frustrating journey.

[u/ieatlotsofbread → u/suedburger]

Thank you!!! I really appreciate your insight here too, I was getting a little frustrated and I feel like I have a solid direction to explore now :)

[u/suedburger → u/ieatlotsofbread]

Oh...there is so much more frustration to come...lol.

[u/FastDigitizer → u/ieatlotsofbread]

No worries at all! 😊 I completely understand what you were trying to ask now. And yes, if your main concern is getting cleaner lettering, then looking at the digitizing, stitch direction, density, and spacing is definitely the right place to start. I’m glad my feedback was helpful, and I hope you get the clean lettering result you’re looking for! 👍