How to Fix Stitch Quality Problems

As a specialist sewing machine dealer for over 15 years we've helped many customers to overcome run up quality issues. In our experience the vast majority of issues can exist easily resolved at home past following these 7 tips.

What Are Stitch Quality Bug?

So what exactly do we mean past stitch quality bug?

Whether y'all're a complete beginner or a super experienced sewist we're sure you've sat there at some point tearing your hair out for 1 of the following reasons:

  • your sewing car keeps jamming
  • your car is skipping stitches
  • the thread is looping on the summit or bottom side of the fabric
  • the bobbin thread is pulling through to the top side of the material and vice versa
  • the thread is bunching up and 'nesting'
  • the stitches are uneven
  • your thread keeps breaking

It is incredibly frustrating, specially when all you want to do is sew together. I know I've threatened to throw my machine out of the window on more one occasion!

You probably perform a couple of checks and if you're unable to notice a solution you beginning to wonder if you lot need to send your machine off to be fixed/serviced/checked.

At this point these 7 tips might just be your saviour. They probably include checks you already know, but every bit a very frequent and swell sewer I still surprise myself how like shooting fish in a barrel it is to forget them and merely how well they work.

Check You're Threading Your Car Correctly

I know this goes without maxim but I'll say it anyway - make certain your sewing auto is threaded exactly according to the manual. Take care to ensure the presser foot is in the raised position whilst threading. This allows the thread to freely slot between the tension discs. Feed the thread through the thread guides and take-upwards lever in the right direction. Also, make sure the bobbin is inserted in the correct orientation and that the abaft thread goes into the bobbin tension mechanism according to the manual.

Threading a Sewing Machine

We ofttimes hear from beginners who think their new machine is faulty due to sew together quality problems, when information technology is in fact a threading result. It is incredibly rare for a new sewing automobile to have issues fresh out of the box.

Having said that we accept supported plenty of very experienced sewists who have inverse or upgraded their machine and attempted to thread it in the aforementioned mode as their quondam one. Withal, due to a slight nuance or difference in the threading technique it has caused issues such every bit poor sew together quality or the thread cutters not working.

If you're still struggling to work it out from the manual, it's always worth searching on the auto model number on Youtube for a threading guide. We recently did a total review of the Janome 725S, which includes a step by pace threading guide.

Alter Your Needle Regularly

A blunt or damaged needle is the number one culprit for poor stitch quality and can atomic number 82 to any number of stitch problems, including skipped and uneven stitches and thread shredding. If your auto is making more of a thumping sound equally the needle penetrates the fabric, and then the needle is almost certainly blunt and needs replacing.

Remember, even though a needle tin look (and sound) fine, it tin be very slightly bent so don't merely rely on your optics - swap it! How regularly should you change the needle y'all might inquire? I ordinarily change mine after every i to two projects. Sewing automobile needles are relatively cheap, then keep a stash and replace them regularly.

Change Your Needle

When changing the needle be careful not lo let it driblet inside the machine as information technology'southward perfectly aligned to do merely that when you're loosening the needle screw.

A bang-up tip is to place a slice of paper nether the foot before loosening the needle clamp spiral.

Too, make sure that when inserting the new needle that you insert it in the correct orientation (ordinarily the flat side of the shank facing away from you) and that y'all push button it upward as far equally it will get.

Not doing so can pb to a number of run up quality problems, plus information technology could also strike the bobbin case or bend the needle threader (if your machine has one).

Use the Correct Needle Blazon

For full general sewing, a universal size 80 needle should be fine. However, if you're trying to sew more varied types of fabric such as jersey, leather, sheers or use thicker / thinner threads then yous need to utilise a needle designed for the job. This will help you to achieve expert stitch quality on trickier fabrics.

There's a wide range of sewing car needles available and besides many to list here. If yous want to know more then you're in luck - see our comprehensive article 'how to choose the right sewing needle'.

Use the Right Bobbins

It tin be tempting to use a random bobbin in your sewing car, but it'southward really important to make sure it'southward the right bobbin for your brand and model of machine.

There are subtle differences between bobbins from unlike manufacturers, and fifty-fifty for bobbins from the aforementioned manufacturer but for different models and generations of sewing machine. To the naked centre they might look identical, but there are oftentimes slight variations in the dimension or design.

At best, using the incorrect bobbin can lead to thread nesting in the bobbin expanse or bobbin thread not existence picked up properly. At worst, using the wrong bobbin tin can really impairment your sewing machine. This is especially true when trying to use a metal bobbin in a machine designed for plastic bobbins. If in doubt, you can visit our sewing machine accessory page and buy bobbins specifically for you machine. They're relatively inexpensive and will give you peace of mind.

Apply Good Quality Threads

Over time threads tin dry out, become brittle and deteriorate. Don't exist tempted to employ that box of threads that grandma gave y'all 20 years ago! I'd besides avoid inexpensive threads from supermarkets and eBay every bit these tin crusade sew together problems, thread shredding and lint build-up. A skillful quality thread makes all the difference.

Here at Sew Essential we only stock proficient quality thread and have a number of brands to cull from. Gutermann run up all thread is an manufacture favourite and is perfect for a wide range of projects. We likewise stock Mettler poly sheen threads and these 120s polyester sewing threads, which are too great quality and fantastic all rounders.

They have less lint content, therefore create less fluff in your machine.

In addition to these, we sell threads fabricated from natural fibres and a wide range of specialist threads, you tin discover them all here.

Pinnacle tip - keep your thread out of direct sunlight as this can atomic number 82 to drying out, fading and becoming more than breakable.

Good Quality Threads

Set Tension Correctly for Different Fabrics

Never underestimate the importance of adapting your approach when it comes to working with dissimilar textile types.

As mentioned before in the article, make certain you are using the correct type of needle, then information technology is time to fix the needle tension.

For the majority of fabrics the 'normal' tension setting for your machine should be fine. If y'all're working with thicker fabrics you might demand a looser top tension and a longer stitch.

The mantra here is to play around and test on scraps of fabric until you are happy with the results. The scraps should be of the actual cloth you volition be using for the project and you should test on the same number of layers as the real thing.

If your thread is pulled tight on the underside and not forming an even stitch and so (counter-intuitively) it's usually the peak thread tension that's wrong. Sometimes very lightweight fabrics such as sheers tin can go dragged downwards into the machine then information technology's a good idea to utilize a straight stitch plate.

Thread Tension

Also, remember to let your machine do the fabric feeding. Your hands are in that location to just guide the fabric. Don't exist tempted to push button the cloth from the front or pull the dorsum of the machine whilst y'all're sewing as this volition certainly lead to uneven or skipped stitches.

Finally carry in mind that there are other tips and tricks yous might need to try, specially with catchy fabrics. You might have the right needle, correct tension, but need to apply a stabiliser for example.

Maintain Your Sewing Machine

Keeping your auto well maintained not only helps keep your stitch quality tip top, just it likewise has the added bonus of making it terminal longer. This isn't equally complicated every bit it sounds either and is actually very quick and piece of cake to practice.

*Disclaimer - always unplug the power from your sewing machine when performing any maintenance!

Cleaning

It never ceases to astonish me how oft fluff and lint under the bobbin case are the crusade of poor run up quality or a noisy machine.

If yous're having problems always recollect to cheque here and don't be tempted to accident - this will simply send the fluff further into the machine. Instead apply a soft brush to tease information technology out.

It's also worth removing the sew plate from time to fourth dimension and requite the feed dogs and surrounding areas the one time over with the brush. This solves all sorts of strange problems you lot might be having, from poor stitch quality to weird sounds. We generally recommend brushing out this area afterwards every projection to continue your sewing machine in great working order.

Cleaning a Sewing Machine

Nosotros've found some pretty weird and wonderful things inside sewing machines over the years. Amazingly, an quondam Singer was host to a dead mouse merely the most common intruders are pins and needles.

We once removed over 20 pins from a single machine - don't run up over pins! Unsurprisingly, the sewing motorcar had damaged gears resulting in an expensive repair bill.

If you practise lose a pivot or needle within the machine, practice your best to rescue it before it tin can cause impairment. Take off the stitch plate and remove the bobbin instance and fish it out if possible. It'due south always useful to have a pair of long tweezers for such situations.

Lubrication

What near recommendations for oiling sewing machines? Whilst this tin be sensible if y'all know where to oil and how regularly (use but purpose sewing machine oil), using too much oil can attract lots of fluff and lint which isn't great for lubrication.

Many modern machines even recommend against oiling and then information technology'southward probably worth leaving this to the professionals during an almanac service. Either way, it's all-time to consult your transmission as they all take a section for maintenance and intendance.

Stitches

So in that location you take our top tips for maintaining a bully sew quality. If yous've got whatsoever questions or would like us to publish an commodity on any given sewing subject, please arrive touch. We're here to assistance!

Accept fun sewing!

Lucy and Ed

For more tips and tricks on how to make sewing easy you tin can follow our blog via Bloglovin and receive updates via email each time a new post is added.

Follow united states of america on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter for news, tutorials, special offers, sales and more than.