Troubleshooting Machine Embroidery Problems – Part 2

The second machine embroidery troubleshooting installment looks at the causes of thread breaks, needle breaks, and registration issues.

Thread Breaks and Needle Breaks

When thread gets caught somewhere along the path, causing it to break. Check to be sure there is nothing catching it along the way. Unthread and rethread your machine to make sure your machine is threaded properly. 

Spooky Buddies

 Are you using the correct spool cap? One size doesn’t fit all. Caps should cover the end of the spool without any gaps. If not, thread can pool under the spool, become tangled on the thread pin, and will eventually break and may break the needle.  The cap should also not be so large that it creates drag pulling thread off of the spool.

With vertically positioned thread spools, sometimes thread nets help with pooling. Otherwise, a serger sponge placed beneath the spool helps close the gap. See more about thread issues and how to fix them here. 

Purr-fect Buddies

 
Most often, needle breaks are also due to a threading issue. When  your needle breaks, don’t just cut and pull. Follow and look at the thread path to determine where the problem is. Also, take care to locate the broken piece of the needle. Hopefully, the tip is still threaded rather than somewhere in your bobbin case.

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If your needle is undersized for the type of project you are stitching, you may also experience thread and needle breaks. Not sure the type or size of your needle? Get info on how to identify needles here. See more about thread and needle breaks here.

Registration Issues

Have you ever stitched out a design and stitches didn’t line up like they should? There are a couple of reasons why this happens.

Is your embroidery arm clear of obstacles? If it doesn’t have plenty of room in which to move, it may bump into the wall or something else you have on your table. Bumping the hoop or embroidery arm knocks registration off and stitching will likely have gaps. (Note from Bonnie: If this happens, and you've caught it soon enough, simply turn the machine off and back on. Some machines will remember what stitch you were on in the machine, others will need you to pull up your design and advance forward to where the problem started. Turning everything off will reboot the machine back to its original position.)

If fabric and stabilizer are not flat and taut in the hoop, they can shift and cause stitching to be out of alignment. It is also a good idea to iron your fabric before hooping. Fold lines can cause fabric to loosen in the hoop.

What tips do you have for fixing these machine embroidery problems?

Debbie Henry
Sew Inspired by Bonnie