Skipped Stitches

1. Skipped stitches are usually caused by old needle. Just take a new needle every 6-8 hours, and you shouldn't see this problem. Also, secure the needle well.
2. Make sure that you've selected the right pressing foot.

Top Thread Shows A Lot On Bottom

To solve this problem, just tighten top thread tension until you see only one thread color on each side.

Bobbin Thread Shows On Front Side Of Fabric

Generally, when bobbin thread shows on top, it means that there's too much tension on top thread. Yet, before rushing to reduce top thread tension, first check these two issues:

1. Check if top thread unwinds and feeds up well. Make sure that the spool doesn't slide off horizontal spool pin. If it falls – it creates too high tread tension by not giving the thread to unwind properly.
2. Check that the needle is good, not sticky, and allows the thread to come through it easily. It should have a large enough eye.

Stitches Looping Under The Fabric

1. Your machine may be not threaded correctly. Re-thread both top & bobbin thread.
2. Your needle may be damaged, or just secured not well enough.
3. Your top thread tension might be too loose. To check whether the problem really is in tension, remove your hoop and inspect the reverse side of your embroidery. If your tension is well balanced, you will almost not see the top thread on reverse side.

However, if you see a lot of top thread - increase top thread tension. The loops may occur just because the needle is catching on those bubbling threads.

Stitches of Design "Sinking" Into The Fabric

For stitches-absorbing fabric types, like towels, fleece, short fur, velvet, corduroy, jersey and knits always use water soluble topping film to prevent stitches from sinking into the fabric.

It's easy - you just cut a little piece of film, and put it over the background fabric. Then start embroidering. After your design is ready, the large pieces may be removed and all remainder dissolved in warm water.

Needle Breaks

1. Needle may break because of all the same reasons that thread breaks. Therefore, first follow all steps against thread breakage.
2. Remove your hoop, and see what happens at the bottom. You mustn't see any thread loops there. If you see loops – carefully remove all stitches, reverse your machine several stitches back, and embroider them again.
3. Needle may break if the design is too dense, too "fat". This is especially frequent on photo- stitch designs and sometimes on not properly digitized lace. To overcome this problem, try using a thinner needle. If this doesn't help - just avoid bulky designs.

Bobbin Thread Breaking

1. Take the bobbin out. Clean bobbin case. Insert the bobbin again and re-thread.
2. If re-threading doesn't help - try to take a new bobbin.

Tip:
Must say that our suffering with bobbin thread breakage ended happily the moment we started using pre-wound bobbins. Apparently, factory made bobbins are winded much better than home made ones.

At least this is correct for several popular machines like Husqvarna Designer series & Brother ULTs. We suspect that this should be similar with other machines, too.

Anyway, we've come to conclusion that it's better, cheaper and a lot more pleasant to use quality pre-wounds than to wind bobbins. We're huge fans of plastic sided bobbins, and sideless also work very well.

Top Thread Breaking

1. Try to re-thread your machine. While re-threading, make sure you hold the thread very tight and it doesn't have the slightest chance to loop anywhere. Then, BEFORE you start stitching:
   
   1. Make sure that your thread cone doesn't slide off the spool pin if the holder is horizontal. In case it has tendency to slide off - secure it using spool holders (little plastic caps) that come with your machine.
   2. Make sure that the thread ABSOLUTELY CAN'T wrap or catch around thread holder. If your thread will wrap around it at some point - it will DEFINITELY break.
2. Make sure that the thread doesn't catch on the spool edge. This problem always pops up when using small "mushroom" type thread spools (the 275-yard ones usually). What happens is that after unwinding normally for a little while, the "mushroom" edge starts preventing the thread from unwinding well any further. Naturally, the thread breaks. That's why so many embroiderers HATE small spools. And for a good reason.
   
   There are 2 optional solutions to this problem:
   1. Avoid using small "mushroom" type spools. Whenever you can, purchase the good size, economical 1100-yard cones. They never have these annoying "mushroom" edges.
   2. If you already have some small spools and are determined to use them - try using vertical spool pin, and loosen top thread tension a little. You may also use separate vertical thread stand, if you have one. It may help your thread to feed up well, and avoid it's friction with plastic spool edge.
   In case your machine doesn't have a vertical spool pin and you don't own thread stand either - consider getting a kit with normal thread cones. Because these stands cost $50 - $100, and for this money you may get a lot of really good thread cones.
3. Be sure your needle is appropriate for machine embroidery. For regular 40wt rayon and poly thread 80/12 needles usually work great. Yet, if you're using metallic or thick cotton - try using metallic needles. They have larger eyes, often coated with Teflon, to help thick thread move smoother.
4. Take thread end into your hands. Unwind a couple of meters and feel the thread between your fingers. It should be smooth, even and without knots. If it's not the case - try to unwind several more meters. It may be damaged only in a certain place on spool. If it's still inferior after you unwind several good meters - put that spool aside and take another one.
5. If none of the above helps, and you're SURE that the thread isn't catching anywhere - try to lower top thread tension. Your machine's manual will show you how.

General Rule In Case Of Any Problem

1. Make sure that your machine's embroidery arm can move to all directions, and nothing is disturbing it.
   
2. Re-thread both top & bobbin thread.

SECRETS OF MACHINE CROSS STITCHING

Have you ever tried the Cross Stitch technique? Well, you might be surprised to know that you do not need any special software or any other "Add-Ons". Just you and your embroidery machine…

If you’ve never tried Cross Stitch, or maybe you haven't even heard about it, here you'll find some basic tips, instructions and free patterns for beginners.