What Is Ailing Your Sewing Machine?

Whether you are an amateur at sewing and only use your machine to fix torn clothes or if you are a master at clothing design, there is nothing as frustrating as when your sewing machine begins to misbehave right in the middle of your work. Skipped stitches, snagged threads and a host of other issues cannot only deter your progress but also could even ruin your fabric altogether! Here are some nifty tips for troubleshooting what could be ailing your sewing machine and help you discern whether it is fixable or if it will require professional maintenance.

Your thread is looping or puckering

When your thread stops stitching in a secure line and begins to exhibit signs of either looping or puckering, it is likely that your tension settings are out of whack. For your stitches to lie flat on the fabric, the thread has to be at the right tension or else there will be sagging that results in these imperfections. There are a couple of ways to troubleshoot this. Firstly, if the loops are occurring at the underside of your fabric, it is a clear indication of tension that requires tightening. Secondly, if the puckering is happening on lightweight fabrics, chances are the tension is excessive and the thread needs a bit of loosening. If neither of these remedies works, it is best to seekoverlocker repairs to prevent further inconvenience.

Your stitches are missing

Another irritating problem you could develop when sewing is with stitches that keep going missing. When this happens, the likelihood is the root cause lies with the needle that you are using. When the needle is bent, or worse yet broken, it will not pass the thread through the fabric, as it should. This type of damage tends to occur when you tug at the fabric forcefully or if the needle ends up making contact with a hard surface, for instance a pin in the fabric. It should also be noted that utilising the wrong kind of needle when sewing could also result in skipped stitches. If your needle is of the correct size and it is facing the appropriate direction without any signs of damage, you may want to consider professional repairs.

Your feed dog is stuck

Often underrated, the feed dog is a critical part of your sewing machine as it facilitates easy sewing. This feature gently secures the underside of the fabric while also easing the movement of the fabric. If the feed dog is stuck in place while you are sewing, it is a telltale sign that there is an underlying problem. The main culprit could be lint that is trapped in this area making any movement difficult. However, it could also indicate that the feed dog needs some lubrication to decrease friction.

Share