Troubleshooting

This is still a "work in progress", but I thought I would get this up here now anyway. It may be a while before I get it completely finished, so instead of keeping you waiting forever.... here it is.

In this section, we will show how to troubleshoot issues with your quilting machines.

Troubleshooting Tips

It is very important to unplug your machine before doing any work on it. You may get shocked by electricity or accidentally hit the button and turn it on while your hands, tools, clothing are near moving parts.

Keep your machine well oiled and clean.

If your machine does not move easily across the tracks, check the wheels for stray threads that got caught and clean your tracks thoroughly.

Anytime you experience problems with stitching, check your thread path first. It is very easy to overlook a thread guide or get the thread wrapped around something. Always use good quality machine quilting thread. Next, check your needle. It is very easy to put a needle in backwards and cause yourself all sorts of confusing problems!

Skipping Stitches
1. Check thread patch. Thread may be catching somewhere along the path.
2. If using stitch regulator, check to see that encoder wheels are working properly, are not worn or cracked, and are making good contact.
3. Take up roller may be too high. You should just be able to get your fingers in between the roller and your machine bed.
4. Needle may be bent, dull, or has a burr on it. Change your needle.
5. Lint may be under the throat plate. Clean lint out of hook area.
6. Check spring may be worn and thread is catching on a groove worn by thread. Replace spring.
7. Fabric may be too tight. Loosen roller tension.
8. Upper tension may be too tight, causing too much needle deflection. Loosen upper tension.
9. Hook may have a burr, or rough spot on it. Check, and sand with very fine sandpaper or crocus cloth, if necessary.
10. Check the timing. Pay particular attention to the distance between the hook and the needle. Too much space will definitely cause skipped stitches.

Breaking Needles:
1. Check that your needle is in the right way. It is very easy to turn the needle around the wrong way. Also check to see that the needle is all the way up. If it’s not, it can hit the hook and not only break the needle, but also damage the hook.
2. Have you hit a pin or something with your needle? If so, replace the needle and check the timing. Pay particular attention the needle depth and make sure you can see all of the needle eye in the lowest position.
3. Make sure the needle positioner is in properly. This is the little finger-like thing that holds the hook in place. It should be about halfway into the slot.