Are you having a problem with your sewing machine?

Here’s a guide to some simple steps you can take that may fix the problem.

But keep in mind that since there are so many sewing machine models out there, this is
just meant to be an overview of some of the more common problems.


Note: If you need the manual for your sewing machine, try visiting your
manufacturer’s website. They often have old manuals available for download or
purchase.
Sewing Machine Troubleshooting Guide
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Sewing Information, Advice, How-to
My Needle Is Breaking
It could be a problem with the needle itself…

    Your broken needle may have been blunt, dull or otherwise damaged.

    Your broken needle may have been too thin for your fabric. Make sure your replacement needle is
    appropriate for the weight and type of your fabric and thread. You may also need a thicker needle if you’re
    sewing through bulky layers of fabric.

    When you insert your new needle, make sure it’s positioned correctly (usually with the flat side away from
    the bobbin, but consult your manual), that it goes all the way into the holder, and that the screw is
    securely tightened.


If there doesn’t seem to be a problem with your needle, try the following:

    Check your presser foot

            Make sure it’s attached securely.

    Change your presser foot

            Your presser foot may be bent, causing your needle to hit it.

    Don’t sew over pins

    A needle that hits a pin can break. Always remove the pins from your fabric before they reach your
    needle.

    Don’t pull your fabric as you sew

    You could be bending your needle back, causing it to hit your needle plate instead of going into the
    hole. Just guide your fabric, letting it feed on its own.

    Check your needle plate

            Make sure it's securely in position.

    Change your needle plate

    If you’ve been using a straight stitch needle plate (a plate with a small hole, often used for sewing
    fine, delicate fabrics), switch to a needle plate with a wider hole.

    Check the position of your needle

    Sewing machines with zigzag capability allow you to adjust the position of your needle – right, left, or
    center. If your needle is not positioned correctly, it may be hitting your needle plate or presser foot.
My Thread Keeps Breaking
If your upper thread is breaking:


Rethread your machine

    An incorrectly threaded machine can cause thread to break.


Decrease the tension on your machine

    The tension may be too tight for your thread.


Reposition the spool of thread on the spindle

    You know that little nick in the edge of a spool that’s used to hold the loose end of the thread? Your thread
    may be catching on this nick as you sew. Place your spool so that this nick rests against the bottom of the
    spindle.


Reinsert your needle

    Make sure it goes all the way into the holder and that it’s positioned correctly, usually with the flat side
    away from the bobbin, but consult your machine’s manual to be sure.


Change your needle

    Your needle may be bent or dull. The eye of your needle may have a nick in it that’s cutting the thread as
    you sew. Or the eye of your needle may be too small for your thread, in which case, change to a larger
    needle. And make sure your needle is appropriate for the weight and type of your fabric.


Change your thread

    Your thread may be weak. Or your thread may be fuzzy and irregular, causing it to catch in the eye of your
    needle as you sew. Cheap thread tends to be weak and fuzzy, so make sure to use a quality, brand name
    thread. And if you’ve been sewing with an older cotton thread, which can dry out and become brittle with
    age, try a newer thread.


Check your presser foot for damage to the needle hole

    A burr in your presser foot’s needle hole may be cutting your thread. Gently smooth any rough spot you
    find with an emery cloth.


Also...

    There may be a burr in one of your thread guides, in which case, you may need to have your machine
    professionally serviced to have the part replaced.


If your lower thread is breaking:


Reinsert your bobbin

    Your bobbin may not be seated properly in its case.


Rethread your bobbin

    Your bobbin may be threaded incorrectly or the thread may be tangled.


Remove some of the thread from your bobbin

    If your bobbin is very full (if it’s hard to insert into the case, it’s too full), this may be keeping your bobbin
    from turning smoothly.


Rewind your bobbin thread

    If your bobbin thread is wound unevenly, this may be keeping your bobbin from turning smoothly.


Try a new bobbin

    There could be a nick along the edge of your bobbin spool that’s catching your thread as you sew.


Clean the lint from your bobbin case

    Lint in your bobbin case could be keeping your bobbin from working properly.


Check the needle hole in your throat plate for rough spots

    A burr in the needle hole of your throat plate (usually caused by the needle hitting the throat plate) could
    be cutting your thread. Gently smooth any rough spot you find with an emery cloth.
My Seams Are Coming Out Puckered
Try these fixes:


Decrease the tension on your machine

    It may be too tight for your fabric.


Change your needle

    It may be blunt or dull. And make sure the needle you’re using is appropriate for the weight and type of
    your fabric.


Change your stitch length

    It may be too long or too short for the type of fabric you're sewing.


Change your presser foot

    Use the kind of presser foot most appropriate for your fabric. Consult your machine’s manual for
    recommendations.


Change your thread

    If your upper thread and bobbin threads are different types, try using the same thread for both. Or your
    thread may be too thick for your fabric – especially if you’re sewing a sheer, lightweight fabric.


Don’t stretch your fabric as you sew

    Just guide your fabric, letting it feed on its own.


Change the pressure of your presser foot

    It may be too light or too heavy for your fabric.


Change your needle plate

    If you’re using a needle plate with a wide hole and sewing a thin or sheer fabric, your fabric may be getting
    pushed into the hole as you sew. Try switching to a needle plate with a small hole (a straight stitch needle
    plate).

    (Important: After changing your needle plate, check to make sure your needle aligns perfectly with this
    smaller hole before starting to sew. A misaligned needle could hit the plate and break, which could be
    dangerous. And make sure to change your needle plate back for zigzag and other wide stitches.)


Use a stabilizer underneath your fabric

    If you’re sewing a thin or sheer fabric, this may stop the puckering.
My Sewing Machine Is Skipping Stitches
Try these fixes:


Rethread your needle

    It may be threaded incorrectly (backwards).


Reinsert your needle

    Make sure it goes all the way into the holder and that it’s positioned correctly – usually with the flat side
    away from the bobbin, but consult your machine’s manual to be sure.


Change your needle

    Your needle may be blunt, bent, or otherwise damaged.

    Your fabric may require a different needle. Generally, heavier fabrics require larger needles and thinner
    fabrics, smaller needles. You may also need a larger needle if you’re sewing through many layers of fabric.
    And make sure to use a ballpoint needle for knit fabrics and a sharp needle for wovens (or a universal
    needle for either).

    And make sure your needle is appropriate for the type of thread you’re using.


Adjust the pressure of your presser foot

    It may be too light for your fabric.


Change your thread

    If your upper thread and bobbin threads are different types, try using the same thread for both. And use a
    good quality, brand name thread.


Adjust your thread tension

    It may be too tight or too loose.


Rethread your machine

    It may be threaded incorrectly.


Change your needle plate

    Try switching to a needle plate with a smaller hole (a straight stitch needle plate).

    (Important: After changing your needle plate, check to make sure your needle aligns perfectly with this
    smaller hole before starting to sew. A misaligned needle could hit the plate and break, which could be
    dangerous. And make sure to change your needle plate back for zigzag and other wide stitches.)
My Stitches Are Coming Out Uneven
Try these fixes:


Rethread your machine

    It may be threaded incorrectly.


Change your thread

    If you’ve been using a cheaper or an older thread, change to a newer, quality, brand-name, thread. Also, if
    you’ve been using different threads for your upper and bobbin threads, try using the same for both.


Check your bobbin

    Make sure it’s threaded correctly.


Don’t pull your fabric as you sew

    Just guide your fabric, letting it feed on it’s own.


Change your needle

    Make sure it’s a size and type appropriate for your fabric and thread.


Adjust the tension on your machine

    It may be too loose or too tight.


Check your presser foot

    Make sure it’s securely attached.


Adjust the pressure of your presser foot

    It may be too light or too heavy for your fabric.


Change your presser foot

    If you’ve been sewing with a zigzag or an all-purpose presser foot, try changing to a straight stitch presser
    foot (this is assuming you’re sewing straight stitches). It has a smaller needle hole which may keep your
    fabric more stable as you sew.


Check your needle plate

    Make sure it’s securely in place.


Check your feed dogs* for lint

    If your feed dogs are clogged with lint, they're not gripping your fabric properly. Remove your presser foot
    and clean out any lint with an old toothbrush.


Use a “Jean-a-ma-jig” or a “Hump-jumper”

    If you’ve been trying to sew over a bump of fabric, such as a thick jean hem, try using this tool (your local
    fabric store should carry it). It keeps your presser foot level as you sew and gives your feed dogs
    something to grip.


Your machine may be skipping stitches



*Your feed dogs are the little teeth that stick up beyond your needle plate.
My Stitches Are Coming Out With Little Loops in Them/
My Stitches Are Coming Out Too Loose
If the loops are on the top side of your fabric:

Decrease the upper thread tension on your machine

    It may be too tight.


Increase your bobbin tension

    If your sewing machine allows you to adjust it. Consult your manual.


Rethread your machine

    It may be threaded incorrectly.


Check the tension disks on your machine

    There may be dirt or lint between the disks. (If you’re not sure where your tension disks are, consult your
    manual.)


Change your needle

    It may be damaged. And make sure your needle is appropriate for your type of fabric and thread.


If the loops are on the under side of your fabric:


Increase the upper thread tension on your machine

    It may be too loose.


Decrease your bobbin tension

    If your sewing machine allows you to adjust it. Consult your manual.


Rethread your bobbin

    It may be threaded incorrectly.


Reinsert your bobbin

    It may be inserted incorrectly.


For loops on either side of your fabric:


Change your thread

    If your upper thread and bobbin threads are different types, try using the same thread for both.
My Sewing Machine Isn’t Feeding My Fabric/
My Fabric Isn’t Moving Forward
Try these fixes:


Check your fabric

    Make sure it isn’t caught on something.


Check your presser foot

    Make sure it’s screwed tightly in place.


Adjust the pressure of your presser foot

    It may be too light or too heavy for your fabric.


Check your feed dogs* for lint

    If your feed dogs are clogged with lint, they're not gripping your fabric properly. Remove your presser foot
    and clean out any lint with an old toothbrush.


Raise your feed dogs

    If your machine has this function. They may have been inadvertently lowered.


Check your stitch length regulator

    If it’s set at “0” or a very small number, try switching to a longer stitch length.


Change your needle

    It may be damaged.


Check your needle plate

    Make sure it’s securely in place.


Use a “Jean-a-ma-jig” or a “Hump-jumper”

    If you’re trying to sew over a bump of fabric, such as a thick jean hem, try using this tool (your local fabric
    store should carry it). It keeps your presser foot level as you sew over the bump and gives your feed dogs
    something to grip.


*Your feed dogs are the little teeth that stick up beyond your needle plate.
My Thread Is Bunching Up Under My Fabric
Try these fixes:

Rethread your machine

    It may be threaded incorrectly.


Raise your feed dogs*

    If your machine has this feature.

    Also, before you start to sew a seam, grasp the thread tails from the upper and bobbin threads. Hold them
    back and out of the way as you sew your first couple of stitches. This will keep them from getting caught in
    your machine.
My Sewing Machine is Jammed
Try these fixes:

Unthread your machine and remove your bobbin. Clean any loose thread or lint out of your bobbin case.
Rethread your machine, reinsert and rethread your bobbin.

Change your bobbin. There could be a nick along the edge of your bobbin spool that’s catching your thread as
you sew.

Also, before you start to sew a seam, grasp the upper and bobbin thread tails. Hold them back and out of the
way as you sew your first couple of stitches. This will keep them from getting caught in your machine.
My Sewing Machine Won’t Sew Through Thick, Bulky Layers
Try these fixes:


Change your needle

    If your machine needle is blunt or dull, it will have difficulty piercing your fabric. Use a new, sharp needle for
    every project, appropriate for the weight and type of fabric you’re sewing.


Use a “Jean-a-ma-jig” or a “Hump-jumper”

    If you’ve been trying to sew over a bump of fabric, such as a thick jean hem, try using this tool (your local
    fabric store should carry it). It keeps your presser foot level as you sew over the bump and gives your feed
    dogs something to grip.
My Tension Adjuster (regulator, dial) Doesn’t Seem to Be Working
Rethread your machine

    It may be threaded incorrectly. And when you rethread it, make sure your thread goes in between your
    tension disks. (If you don’t know where your tension disks are, consult your machine’s manual.)


Check your tension disks for dirt or lint

    Lint or dirt between your tension disks may be keeping your tension from working properly. Clean out any
    you find.
Still having problems?

Try visiting your sewing machine manufacturer's website. They may have a troubleshooting
guide specific to your machine.

Also, you may want to try posting your question on one of the many sewing forums.