Often during the sewing process you can see gaps on the seams. They can be very short (1-2 stitches are missed), or they can stretch several centimeters. Why does my sewing machine skip stitches? In fact, to answer this question you need to check many of the operating elements of the device, and also make sure that the settings are set correctly. In some cases, simple maintenance may not be enough and a full repair will be required, with the replacement of failed parts.
Service is a company that has been servicing and repairing household appliances for many years. Our sewing machine repair technicians are true professionals who can diagnose any problem. All work is carried out at the customer’s home; specialists travel to all areas of Moscow. You can call a specialist by calling us by phone, or by filling out a special application, the form of which is available on the website. We work with any models: Husqvarna, Janome, Brother, Pfaff, Bernina, Veritas, Juki, Aurora, Chaika, as well as with old devices such as Podolsk or Singer.
How a stitch is formed
The operation of a sewing machine is possible due to high precision and synchronization of the movement of various parts. Here it is much more important than, for example, in a washing machine. When making stitches, two threads are used:
- The thread at the top that unwinds from the spool and passes through the eye of the needle.
- The one that unwinds from a bobbin located below the working surface of the machine.
The structure of a sewing machine
The shuttle is a part that rotates and hooks the thread coming out of the eye of the needle. To create a seam, this hook pulls the loop down, then the thread is pulled up and it catches the thread coming from the bobbin. The machine then starts a new stitch.
During these operations, the accuracy of movements and the relative position of the needle and shuttle are very important. It is also important to ensure that the tension of the upper and lower threads is correct: not too tight and not too loose. When creating a zigzag or other seam, the work occurs in a similar way.
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How does a stitch happen?
How to choose the right needle for different types of fabric?
Another reason for skipping stitches can be a mismatch between the type of needle and the type of fabric. The following types of needles are distinguished:
- Universal. Suitable for sewing cotton linen, chiffon, organza, cambric, poplin. The thicker and coarser the fabric, the thicker the needle must be inserted.
- Jersey. With a rounded tip, it easily moves apart the threads of knitted and knitted fabrics.
- Jeans. They have a sharp edge. Recommended for sewing thick fabrics: jeans, canvas, twill.
- Leather. With a cut at an angle of 45 degrees. Suitable for natural and artificial leather, as well as suede and nubuck.
- Silk. With special finest sharpening for natural and artificial silk.
- Stretch. They have a special edge that protects against skipped stitches when sewing elastic fabrics (lycra, latex, simplex, etc.).
- Embroidery They have a slightly rounded tip and a small ear. Designed for embroidery on thin fabrics.
The main reason for the appearance of gaps in a line
If a Janome or other sewing machine makes gaps in the stitching, then instead of a large number of stitches, a straight piece of thread is visible on the fabric. The main reason why this happens is that the hook of the shuttle, when moving down, cannot catch the thread coming from the eye of the needle. Skipping stitches in machine stitching happens if the seamstress does not pay attention to the defect in time. There can be various reasons for such a breakdown. In order to restore proper operation of the sewing machine, it is necessary to understand why the sewing machine skips stitches when sewing.
Bobbin
Sewing machine repair
Of course, you can try to fix many of the above problems on your own, especially if you have been sewing for a long time and know how your machine works. But there are problems that it is strictly not recommended to fix yourself. In order to repair a faulty device, it is better to contact a trusted service center.
Remontano specialists will promptly resolve problems of any nature:
- They will check the device settings and, if necessary, restore them.
- They will diagnose the device, find the failed part and replace it.
- Clean and lubricate the sewing machine.
The prices for our services are quite reasonable, and the result exceeds all expectations: quickly, efficiently and, most importantly, at a time convenient for you.
Why the upper thread does not catch the lower thread: what to do
In order for the nose of the shuttle to be able to catch the thread when moving downwards, the distance between them must be 0.3 mm. Anything larger or smaller will result in skipped stitches. This type of stitching defect can also occur for other reasons. The tension force for the upper and lower threads must be precisely set.
In the bobbin on the Brothers machine, there is a screw for this, which must be tightened in the desired direction. You can check the correct tension by holding the bobbin by the thread and shaking it slightly. At the same time, it should go down a little. If the bobbin is tensioned too tightly, it will not move, and if it is too weak, it will begin to unwind quickly.
Skipped stitches
Wide needle plate opening
If the owner has repeatedly violated the rules for using the machine, you should not be surprised at the rapid wear of some of its parts. For example, “Seagulls” are characterized by breaking a large hole in a plate with a needle. The needle carries the thread along with it as it rises, and the thread, in turn, does not have time to form a sufficient loop to capture. This can only be corrected by replacing the broken plate
to a new one. You will have to spend time finding a suitable part and installing it in place of the old one.
The reason for the failure of the needle and hook settings: what to do
If all parts are installed accurately, the machine will make neat seams. However, over time, parts of the mechanism may shift, which can lead to operational problems.
The shuttle is a structure consisting of several parts. Some brands of cars (for example, Podolsk) use a plastic ring, which can lose its shape over time. To make it smooth again, you can use the following method:
- Prepare boiling water.
- Place the part in it for a few seconds.
- Remove and place on a clean piece of cloth.
- Place a cold iron against the side that needs to be leveled.
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As a result, the part will become even, and the shuttle offset will be correct, after which the machine will stop skipping stitches.
The needle must fit the sewing machine
Formation of a lap loop on the side opposite to the needle
The phenomenon is common in mechanisms using polished threads
. Their elasticity is several times higher than that of unpolished threads. Since most manufacturers are focused on the use of unpolished materials, malfunctions may occur in the operation of the device.
To eliminate this, it is necessary to achieve an optimal angle of thread deflection. As a last resort, you can slightly increase the shuttle stroke by creating an elevation on its body. To do this, use tin, applied with a soldering iron. Solder it opposite to the direction of the needle, leaving a 0.8 mm gap between the elevation and the needle. Replacing the thread with a better quality one may also help.
Using a needle with a round flask leads to omissions: what to do
To work efficiently with supplex or other fabric, you need to make sure that the correct type of needle with a round bulb is installed.
Important! If it is taken from another model, this may lead to violation of the distances with other elements of the mechanism.
The differences may be minor, but the needle will tear the material. Minor differences in quality can cause problems.
Multilayer seam
Threads for knitted fabrics and their tension
Sew knitwear
Not a single lockstitch machine “likes” it. Knitwear for a lockstitch sewing machine is a test that not all machines can withstand. True, modern household machines cope with this task quite well, provided that certain requirements are met. As you already understand, one of them is high-quality thread and its correct tension.
Overlockers with a differential rake can sew not only knitwear. This function can be easily disabled using a special knob. And even, on the contrary, you can “force” the rail to collect the fabric. You need to know that overlockers of older models, including class 51 overlockers, cannot efficiently process knitted fabrics. And don’t be surprised if the connecting seams of knitted clothing, processed only with a three-thread overlocker, will burst over time.
Using special needles for sewing knitwear and leather
When skipping stitches occurs on a sewing machine, there can be different reasons. You also need to check the following: the needle matches the material. Sometimes difficulties arise with stitching certain types of fabrics (for example, suede, fur or leather); here it would be appropriate to use special numbers and shapes of needles.
Only in this case can the needle easily pierce knitwear or leather without tearing it. A needle specially adapted to work with this fabric will produce high-quality stitches and reduce the risk of missing stitches.
A poor-quality needle is a possible cause of malfunctions
Stitch formation process
A sewing stitch is formed due to the interaction of a needle and a special shuttle device. The nose of the shuttle moves close to the needle and lifts the loop from it. Next, the part wraps the upper thread around itself. This is how you get a lockstitch.
In the case when all mechanisms work correctly and the sewing equipment is configured correctly, stitch skipping is not observed during the process. But if the operating rules of the equipment are not followed or the parts are worn out, failures may occur from time to time.
What leads to gaps in stitches, and how to fix this problem, we will consider further.
Damaged needle: what to do
Sometimes the reason for skipping is the use of a low-quality or damaged needle. This can happen in a situation where it is bent and trying to pierce thick fabric. This bend may be completely invisible at first glance. Another cause of the problem may be a situation where the needle has become dull. This situation occurs most often when creating a multi-layer seam. The needle needs to be replaced with a more suitable one.
It is important to choose the right thread
How to solve the problem yourself?
Based on the numerous reasons for skipping stitches, solving the problem yourself will be time-consuming. It is necessary to check how dull the needle tip is; to do this, run your thumb along the tip. Next, you need to check that the upper and lower threads are threaded correctly. Here it is best to use the device's operating instructions. When checking the settings, you need to pay attention to the installation of the coil. If everything is correct, then proceed to setting the thread tension.
This parameter is very important, since not only the skipping of stitches in the line, but also the integrity of the needle and the looping of the top or bottom line depend on it.
Choosing the right needles: causes and solutions to the problem
The selection of thread matters for the quality of sewing. This is another reason why a sewing machine skips stitches. To use a specific needle, you need to take a thread of a certain thickness. Otherwise, it will move unpredictably while the sewing machine is running and will skip stitches. For example, a thick thread in a thin needle can quickly break. This is because it will have difficulty passing through the fabric.
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Needle plate
Remedies
Whatever the reason for the incorrect operation, the crooked stitch must be unraveled and altered. Even if the fabric is held firmly, an uneven seam is left in rare cases, such as when it is optional. In any case, you will have to resort to white sheathing.
If the sewing machine is set up correctly and the equipment is working properly, start by inspecting the needle. They take her out and carefully examine her. If the ear is broken or there are nicks on the tip or base, it should be replaced.
When the needle is slightly bent, it can be straightened and continued to work further. However, if there is significant bending or abrasion, it needs to be replaced. Otherwise, during work, not only the seam will be damaged, but also the fabric.
Speaking about sewing threads, it is recommended to choose synthetic rather than cotton ones. They are smoother. Cotton threads are suitable for hand sewing, but even then not for all types of fabrics. It is imperative to make sure that the artificial thread is in both spools.
Expert opinion
Irina Vasilyeva
Designs clothes, teaches at her own school and advises beginning seamstresses
Be sure to check what type of seam is selected, that the correct presser foot is being used, and that the gap is selected correctly.
If the above reasons do not apply, but the sewing machine still skips stitches, you will have to resort to more serious manipulations. So, you will need to disassemble the shuttle stapler. The part must be inspected and integrity checked. Alternatively, the drive failed.
Lack of the required speed may occur due to wear of parts. Also, the mechanics do not work correctly due to the use of poor-quality lubricant. The composition becomes viscous and sticky over time. It is difficult to solve this issue on your own without the proper knowledge and skills. It is better to seek help from a workshop.
Electronic models of the machine may skip stitches due to a glitch in the program. This often occurs due to a partial or complete failure of the control board. In such a situation, you will have to contact a specialist to conduct a complete diagnosis of the equipment.
Twisted thread: what to do
If a low-quality thread is used, it may behave unpredictably. The twisted one will begin to spontaneously curl into knots. If it is uneven in thickness, it will not allow it to pass through fleece or other fabric easily. Such a defect can cause incorrect loop formation when the needle moves.
When selecting by hand, you need to choose threads of uniform thickness, moderately elastic, and not twisted. You can, for example, use those made of polyester. The thickness should correspond to the needle used and the material with which the work is being done.
To stitch denim you need the right needle
If the sewing machine skips stitches, you need to make sure that the needle and threads are selected correctly, and that the shuttle and the needle are at a certain, clearly adjusted distance from each other. To correct the situation, you need to use high-quality parts and threads. It is important that they match the fabric with which you are working. If you can’t fix the car yourself, it makes sense to contact a specialist.
Video lessons on setting up and maintaining machines
- Setting up and maintaining a modern sewing machine
2. Setting up a 2-M class Podolsk sewing machine
3. Setting up the “Chaika” sewing machine
More complete material on the equipment can be read in my e-book “Home Use Sewing Machine”.
I look forward to your comments and questions.
If the article was useful, share it with your friends. With love, Olga Zlobina
Hello, Natalia! Technically, the reason for this trouble is this: the upper needle with thread, going down to the shuttle device, does not grab the lower thread tucked into the shuttle. It doesn't matter whether you sew straight or use a zigzag stitch.
There may be several reasons why this happens. First, let's name the simplest and most easily eliminated ones.
1. The needle itself has become dull or bent over time. Both may not be very noticeable, but the stitches began to run with gaps. This is extremely easy to fix: you need to replace the used needle with a new one.
2. The needle is of the wrong type - in the “Chaika 142” model, the sewing needle bulb is flat on one side. You need to put the right needle.
3. The needle is not positioned correctly (the flat part should match the hole in the needle holder. The needle must be reinstalled in the needle holder.
If everything is fine with the needle, that is, it is sharp, even and installed correctly, we look for other reasons.
4. The thread number does not match the needle number. For thin needles, of course, thinner threads are suitable - number 60, for example, at the bottom, and number 50 at the top (remember: the top thread should always be a number thicker). The thicker the needle, the lower the thread number. A thick thread threaded into a needle that is too thin leads to the fact that a loop can form on the other side and will not be picked up by the nose of the shuttle device.
5. The quality of the thread can also be the cause of gaps in the stitching: threads that are too twisted immediately bend into a loop, and the matter does not reach the grip - a skipped stitch follows. Buy quality thread.
6. The quality of the material can also be a problem for good stitching. These are thick knitwear, as well as stretch stretch fabrics. The needle can get caught in the weave threads of the fabric, pulling them down. Then an “extra loop” is formed - it prevents the correct loop of the upper thread from being captured by the shuttle. In these cases, you can take the thinnest and necessarily sharpest needle, which will probably pass through the fabric without piercing or tightening its threads. Another way to sew such fabrics is to lay thin newspaper paper. Once a good stitch is done, the paper will come off easily. The most serious cause of omissions may be a general imbalance in the mechanism of movement of the needle and the shuttle device. In this case, there are also two options: you need to call a mechanic or try to fix the problem yourself by opening, for example, the book “Sewing Machine Repair” or finding instructions on the Internet. During repairs, you will have to disassemble the machine.
WHY DOES THE SEWING MACHINE SKIP STITCHES. Surely everyone who more or less regularly uses a sewing machine has encountered this problem at least once. Why does this happen and what to do in this case? Let's try to find the reason for missing stitches when working on a sewing machine. The problem in most cases is as follows - the thread, lowered with the needle down, is not picked up by the nose of the shuttle, that is, as a result of any disturbances in the operation of the machine, a loop large enough cannot be formed that the nose of the shuttle could grab, and, accordingly, the stitch does not it turns out. Let's figure out what malfunctions can cause stitch skipping? Why? Firstly, a good reason for skipping a stitch may be a needle that is not suitable for the type of work being performed, the type of material being processed, or in the end is simply bent or blunt. For example, when an excessively thick needle gets into a thread of fabric, it pulls it down and forms a loop that prevents the formation of a lap loop from the top thread. Secondly, the sewing machine may skip stitches due to the sewing threads not matching the needle type and number. For example, with a thin needle and a thick top thread, an overlap loop may form on the opposite side of the needle, where the nose of the shuttle cannot pick it up. Thirdly, the sewing machine often skips stitches when sewing elastic synthetic fabrics. If the fabric you are working with is stretchy, a thin needle will not be able to make a sufficient hole in it. When the needle passes through the hole in the needle plate, the fabric clings to it. Fourthly, stitch skipping often occurs when transitioning from a thick to a thin section of a seam (for example, when hemming the bottom of a pair of jeans). Fifthly, skipping a stitch can be caused by a mismatch between the movements of the shuttle and the needle. What to do? If your sewing machine starts skipping stitches, proceed as follows: 1. Check that the upper and lower threads are threaded correctly. 2. Loosen the upper thread tension. 3. Change the needle. An old needle can become dull, bent, or become covered with dirt as a result of long use. It is important to know what type of needle your machine is set for. All needles have their own markings and gauge; write down the markings of the recommended needles from the sewing machine instructions and then you can find on sale exactly what suits you. When purchasing needles, you should choose the smallest appropriate needle gauge for your specific fabric. It is preferable to use a universal needle, or a needle with a medium or wide round point, or a finishing stitch needle. To sew elastic fabrics, choose special needles marked “stretch”. The needle must be inserted into the needle holder correctly, until it stops. But in particularly difficult cases, it can be lowered a little, sometimes this method helps so that a sufficiently large loop can be formed from the upper thread. 4. Check whether the presser foot is installed evenly, sometimes you need to increase its pressure (or even pull the nose of the foot down when sewing), as a result of which it will hold the fabric much better. This will prevent the needle from pulling the fabric down through the needle plate. It is preferable to use a straight stitch foot (with a small round hole). If you don't have a straight stitch foot, try moving the needle to the far right. 5. Use a needle plate with a small hole, if you do not have a needle plate with a small hole, then try to cover the wide hole part of the regular needle plate with adhesive tape. 6. Change sewing threads. Perhaps the threads you use have a high twist. Due to the strongly twisted thread, the overlap loop may immediately fold to the side when formed, which leads to a skipped stitch. 7. When sewing elastic synthetic fabrics, you can try to stabilize the fabric with a special water-soluble material; if this is not available, saturate the fabric with a solution of gelatin or starch. You can place thin paper under the fabric, which should be carefully torn off when finishing sewing. 8. When moving from a thick to a thin section of a seam, use a special tool-foot for passing thick places. Some models of sewing machines have a special mechanism that simplifies the transition from a thin to a thick layer of material - carefully read the instructions for your sewing machine. 9. If none of the methods helped you, your sewing machine may be skipping stitches due to a mismatch between the movements of the hook and the needle. In this case, the best way to fix the problem is to call a sewing machine repairman.
Sewing machine malfunctions can be detected by external signs. For example, skipped stitches appeared or the upper thread began to loop at the bottom, or the sewing machine began to “knock” during operation. Suddenly the fabric began to move poorly or the needle often broke, etc. It is much more difficult to determine the cause of the malfunctions that appear and even more difficult to eliminate them, to repair the sewing machine yourself.
To make it easier for you to find a breakdown, we offer a brief overview of the main faults and the reasons for their occurrence, as well as a selection of site articles devoted to these issues. But, before you figure out why a sewing machine or overlocker does not sew or sews poorly, you need to make sure that this model of sewing machine is operated in accordance with its technical characteristics, including eliminating the use of materials, fabrics, threads, needles not specified in the passport or manufacturer's instructions. Let’s also agree that the threading is done correctly and other basic requirements are met, for example, the seamstress does not pull the fabric towards herself with her hand, etc.
