7/7/2020 Common Sewing Machine Problems, Its Causes and Remedies

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Common Sewing Machine Problems, Its Causes

and Remedies
by Soumyadeep Saha - July 07, 2019 Follow
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Sewing machine as primitive as it may seem is one of the most dif cult machines to master.
Running at a speed of 3500 rpm, simple negligence can affect the stitch in the fabric which
ultimately will lead to a compromise in the quality. When there is a defect in a garment, there OCS BOO
must be a cause of it. Until we come to know the cause of defect generation, we call it a sewing
machine problem. To take preventive action against these common causes, a machinist must know
the possible remedies of the common causes.
FOLLOW
It is rarely seen that there is a fault with the stitch due to malfunction in the machine. Most often
it is caused due to rash actions of the operators only. But modern sewing machines are so made  17.5
that only some ne adjustments can set everything right. Often it only takes is a simple check of
the threading, machine components, thread tension to get the perfect stitch needed.  2.1

RECEN

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7/7/2020 Common Sewing Machine Problems, Its Causes and Remedies

Following are some of the sewing faults and machine problems with its cause and the remedies as
well.

1. Thread break
Causes:

Sudden jerk while sewing

A manufacturing defect in the needle with ‘eye’ being rough
Use of poor quality thread
Thread getting wrap around the spool holder
Improper selection of thread

Remedies:

Uniform smooth start of the machine

Use of good quality needle and replace in proper interval
Use of good quality thread
Do proper threading in the machine
Use of recommended thread

2. Missed or irregular stitch

Causes: 

Needle put in the wrong way round

Insuf cient pressure on the pressure foot
Blunt or bent needle

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7/7/2020 Common Sewing Machine Problems, Its Causes and Remedies

Remedies:

Check the manual for proper needle insertion

Increase the pressure
Change needle upon damage

3. Fabric not moving forward

Causes:

Stitching has bunched forming a lump

Feed teeth not raised
Negligible pressure on the pressure foot
Stitch length set at Improper selection of thread

Remedies:

Increase stitch length

Raised feed teeth
Increase pressure in pressure foot
Increase stitch length

Also Read: Fabric faults and defects found in garments

4. Needle break
Causes:

A needle inserted in the wrong way

Fabric pushed or pull through machine
Incorrect foot attachment
Incorrect needle plate attached

Remedies:

Insert needle as directed in manual

Allow fabric to feed at its normal pace
Attach foot as required
Check needle plate

5. Machines fail to turn on

Causes:

Switch of the machine not turned on or insuf cient power available

Remedies:

Check for the switch and power supply

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7/7/2020 Common Sewing Machine Problems, Its Causes and Remedies

6. Puckering
Causes:

Zig-zag too wide for the thickness of the fabric

Stitch length too long for thickness in fabric
High thread tension
High SPI (stitch density)

Remedies:

Change to a narrower stitch width

Change to a shorter stitch length
Check the thread tension
Set SPI based as per the material 

7. Birds nesting 
Birds nesting means looping on the back of the fabric and down the bobbin area

Causes:

Incorrect threading of the machine

Insuf cient pressure on the pressure foot
Balance wheel turned clockwise
Needle thread not passed through the take-up lever
Thread not passing properly due to dirt in the tension disk

Remedies:

Rethread machine properly again

Check and control pressure
Balance wheel should always be turned anti-clockwise
Rethread the machine properly
Check for thread insertion between tension disk and clean it in process

8. Fabric gets pushed down through the needle plate into the bobbin
area
Causes:

Fabric is ne
Needle is blunt

Remedies:

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7/7/2020 Common Sewing Machine Problems, Its Causes and Remedies

Do adjustment with the pressure foot, like for straight stitch use straight stitch foot and
needle plate
Change the needle

9. Thread not locking in the centre of the fabric

Causes:

Weight(thickness) of the two thread(needle &bobbin thread) not balanced

Top and bottom tensions are not correctly balanced

Remedies:

Use same thread or threads of same properties

Change tension of both needle as well as bobbin thread

10. Stitches bunch at the start of sewing

Causes:

Starting to sew too quickly without letting down the pressure foot
Not allowing the fabric to feed freely under the foot

Remedies:

Start smoothly by properly placing the pressure foot. Do hold back the threads pulled tight
at the back of the foot while starting to sew
Do not hold on to the fabric

11. Machine jamming and knotting

Causes:

Thread or a broken needle caught in the raceway

Remedies:

Clean the bobbin area

Reference:
A-Z of sewing machine by Maxine Henry

Tags Quality Sewing Machine

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7/7/2020 Common Sewing Machine Problems, Its Causes and Remedies

About Soumyadeep Saha

Soumyadeep Saha is a graduate in Apparel Production. He is currently pursuing his
Master degree in Fashion Technology from NIFT, New Delhi. He is interested in
Quality Assurance and currently doing project on sustainable fashion.

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