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Q&A
By Don Ford
My stitches are irregular. Sometimes my machine sews fine and other times I notice loose or skipped stitches. The thread also breaks frequently. What's wrong?
Geraldine O.,
Youngsville, PA
Several factors can contribute to skipped stitches and thread breakage. Are you using a high-quality thread or have you been bargain-bin shopping? Is your needle old or bent? Is your bobbin rusty or out-of-round? Any of these problems could be the culprit.
If you use an old spool of thread, humidity may have caused the thread to swell. Or the thread has become brittle in a drier climate. Bargain priced thread results in poor stitch quality and causes the machine to accumulate more lint and dust. Hold a thread strand in front of a light to inspect the smoothness. High-quality thread has virtually no bumps or fuzz. Always use a high-quality thread to ensure sewing success.
Change the sewing machine needle after every four to six hours of sewing time. To test the needle, lay it flat side down on the sewing machine bed. Is the point lifted slightly? Does light show under the needle shaft? If so, replace the needle. If the needle is fine, it could be "out of time" (it lowers too aggressively while sewing). In this case, the needle shaft or gear belt may have slipped out of its correct rotation. Or one of the gears may be broken. In this case, take the machine to your dealer for assistance.
Check the bobbin to see if it's out of round by rolling it on a countertop. If the bobbin wobbles, it's out of round and needs to be replaced. Also replace the bobbin if you notice rust or burrs around the edges. Usually, the bobbin case just needs a good cleaning to remove dirt, dust and thread lint, which cause sporadic turning and uneven stitches.
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