Troubleshooting Machine Embroidery Problems – Part 1

We’ve all experienced frustrations with machine embroidery. This guide will make navigating the rough spots a bit easier!

Whether you're an experienced or a novice embroiderer, things happen that we struggle to remedy. Patience and troubleshooting will save the day! 

Skipped Stitches

If your machine is skipping stitches, try changing the needle. It may be dull or it may be too small. Read more about needle life here and get a tutorial link to Bonnie’s Needle Keeper project. 

Car Buddies

Bobbin Thread Showing on Top

Sometimes you will have bobbin thread showing on top of your stitchout. That typically means that you have a tension issue. If your machine tension is off, your stitching will be too. See how to test your tension here.

Check that you are using the correct bobbin, and clean your bobbin case spring. Both affect stitching tension. You can always color away the white but that only works in an emergency; it doesn’t fix the problem.

Butterfly Buddies

Bird Nesting/Thread Nesting

If you get a jumble of thread on the back of the hoop, it usually means that there is a problem with the upper portion of your machine, namely how it is threaded. Make sure there is nothing interfering with the thread path. Unthread your machine, see the best way to unthread your machine here, and rethread.

Sometimes, a bit of thread can get stuck in your tension discs, causing stitching issues. See how to floss your embroidery machine here.

Thread nests on the top side of your hoop typically means a problem with your bobbin. Check that you are using the right bobbin (especially if you have machines with different bobbin types) and ensure that it is not inserted upside down (which would unwind the wrong direction).

As a last resort, and it is recommended that you have a spare bobbin case, you can adjust your bobbin tension. Bookmark this page. It will probably come in handy some day!

Debbie Henry
Sew Inspired by Bonnie