Fabricator Guidebook - Flipbook - Page 44
Skipped Stitches
There are a number of causes for skipped
stitches. Start with step 1 and stop as soon as
the problem is resolved.
Four Ways to Eliminate Skipped Stitches
1. Change the Needle: The first thing to do
is simply change the needle. A bent needle
will cause skipped stitches because the loop
is not where the hook expects it to be. The
needle could also have become covered
with adhesive if you are using basting tape
or sewing insignia cloth. In either case, a
new needle will resolve these problems.
Also, make sure that the needle is in
correctly (p. 40), and check the upper thread
path (p. 19). The thread should pass from
left to right through the needle eye.
3. Reset the Needle Bar Height: If skipped
stitches continue to be a problem, the
machine has most likely gone out of time.
Check the height of the needle bar as
described in “To set the needle bar height”
(p. 33).
4. Check the Timing: If the needle bar height
is set properly and poor stitching still results,
check the timing or the positioning of the
hook. See “To set the machine’s timing”
(p. 34).
EXAMPLE OF
SKIPPED STITCH
2. Adjust the Foot Pressure: Next, check
for adequate foot pressure. Heavy, closely
woven materials like sailcloth, canvas or
leather can make the withdrawal of the
needle from the material difficult. If the
presser foot is lifting as the needle comes
out of the cloth, the effect is the same as
if the needle were not going far enough
into the material. The loop that it forms will
be too small. To solve this problem, more
downward pressure must be placed on the
feet (p. 24).
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