Troubleshooting Thursdays: Skipped Stitches

What do you do if your sewing machine has been skipping stitches?  Do you call up your local sewing machine dealer to book an appointment to get your machine serviced?  Or do you get to work at solving the problem yourself?  There are hundreds of models of sewing machines out there all with different bells and whistles.  Essentially, sewing machines, no matter their differences, are basically similar with a precisely timed movement of the needle and shuttle hook to manipulate the top and bottom thread therefore creating a stitch.  Sometimes, when skipped stitches occur, it can be a simple fix.  Here are a few things to check before you reach out to your sewing machine repair person.  

1.  Check to see that the sewing machine needle has been correctly inserted.  

If you look closely at your sewing machine needle, generally speaking, you will notice that there is a flat side and a side that has a groove.  The flat side of the needle will always face the back.  If you have a round needle, the groove of the needle will face the front of the machine.  Make sure that you push the needle up until it stops before tightening the screw to hold the needle in place.  A needle that is not all the way up in the holder can also result in skipped stitches.  

2.  Check if the needle is bent. 

Have you ever heard that you should never sew over pins?  This is one of the reasons why.  A needle that is bent it can be the reason behind those skipped stitches.  To test if this might be the issue, remove the needle and lay it on a flat surface and roll the needle over.  If the needle doesn't roll true this may be the issue and it's time to change it.

Of course, there are other situations that could cause a needle to bend.  A presser foot that struggles over a increased or decrease in bulk can cause a needle to bend.  Using a Jean-a-ma-Jig can aid with getting over the bulk without putting stress on the needle.  

3.  Check if the needle point is blunt.

Does the needle make a popping sound when it goes through the fabric?   This is a sign that the needle point is blunt and requires changing.  

4.  Compatibility of the needle and thread.  

If your needle eye is too small and the thread you plan to use is thicker this could be the cause of your skipped stitches.  If you are sewing denim, look for a sewing machine needle designed for this type of thread and fabric. Test your needle and thread on a small sample of fabric to make sure they are compatible.  Just like quality of fabric can influence the quality of your project, same goes for thread.  

5.  Check for proper threading of the machine.  

It can only take one missed step in the threading order to cause skipped stitching.  Sewing machine manuals come with an illustrated order of threading your machine.  As a general rule, exception being sewing with denim or embroidery stitching, it is best to use the same thread in the upper and bobbin threading systems.  Make sure your bobbin is inserted correctly, 

6.  Check the sewing machine manual for recommended needles.  

With all the fancy bells and whistles that sewing machines come equipped with, a specialized sewing machine may require a specific needle to work at optimal performance.  Even though most machines can use a generic needle, keep in mind that not all needles are created equal.  Pick your sewing machine needle according to the fabric you will be sewing.  Check your sewing machine manual for this type of information.   

7.  It could be time for a needle change.  

Over time a sewing machine needle can dull even if it hasn't reached the point of becoming blunt or bent.  As a rule, I change my sewing machine needles after about eight hours of actual sewing, the time when I clean out the lint that eventually accumulates under the plate.  An accumulation of lint can also play a role in skipped stitches.

Happy Sewing!