Sewing machines that are not set up properly produce strange results. Two pieces of material with two lines of thread coming together using one needle requires precision. A loose stitch on the underside of the material is a common problem caused by a lack of precision in the setup of the machine. Different parts move and rotate simultaneously. If they are not timed correctly, one side sews faster than the other.

As you sew, lint and particles accumulate over the feed dog that helps push the fabric through the machine. Buildup of lint can lessen the grip it has on the material causing it to feed under the needle unevenly, creating slack on the thread. Clean the throat plate and feed dog regularly as well as the pressure foot so that the material can move through uniformly with an even stitch.

Using the wrong size or type of needle for the material you’re working with can create the wrong sized and placed hole in the material. The effect is that the thread will not be held tightly in place. The sewing machine needs to be threaded correctly and set for the right type of stitching needed for the material. Use the same thread on the bobbin or you will have uneven stitching.

Tension needs to be properly set on the sewing machine. Tension will change for different types of materials and should be adjusted accordingly. The weight and softness of the fabric, as well as the type and length of stitch can make the stitch to tight, too loose or unbalanced. Test your stitch on a spare piece of material. If the understitch is loose, tighten the bobbin tension one quarter turn and try again.

Once you have the machine set properly, start sewing and let the machine do its job. Manually pulling the material will alter the stitching speed and cause dropped or loose stitches. The pressure foot and feed dog are designed to move the material at the proper speed and tension. Slowing the movement down or speeding it up will change the tension on the thread causing it to snap or become loose.