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Stitch ToolkitPractical tools for sewing and embroidery

Machine embroidery help

Embroidery Troubleshooter

Choose the problem you are seeing to find likely causes, fixes and prevention tips.

Search by problem, symptom or common alternative term.

Thread & Tension

6 choices

Bobbin thread showing on topTroubleshootTop thread showing underneathTroubleshootBird nesting / thread bunching underneathTroubleshootUpper thread breaksTroubleshootThread shredding or frayingTroubleshootLoose or looping stitchesTroubleshoot

Stitch Quality

4 choices

Skipped stitchesTroubleshootPoor stitch coverage or gapsTroubleshootUneven or inconsistent stitchesTroubleshootSatin stitches pulling apart or looking looseTroubleshoot

Fabric & Stabilisation

5 choices

Fabric puckeringTroubleshootStitches sinking into towels or pileTroubleshootFabric shifting during embroideryTroubleshootDesign distorting during embroideryTroubleshootHoles or damage around embroideryTroubleshoot

Needle Problems

1 choice

Needle breaking or bendingTroubleshoot

Hooping & Registration

2 choices

Outline not lining up / registration driftingTroubleshootHoop marks / hoop burnTroubleshoot

Machine / Bobbin Problems

2 choices

Bobbin thread breakingTroubleshootFrequent thread jamsTroubleshoot

20 practical troubleshooting guides. Start with simple setup checks and make one change at a time.

Fabric & Stabilisation

Design distorting during embroidery

Check the symptom, then work through the fixes in order.

What you may see

  • Circles become oval, straight edges bow or the finished design is visibly stretched or compressed.
  • Distortion may increase as dense areas build up.

Likely causes

  • Push and pull from stitching are not controlled by stabilisation and underlay.
  • The fabric was stretched or hooped off grain.
  • Design density and pull compensation do not suit the material.
  • The design was resized without recalculating its stitches.
  • The hoop or item is being pulled by weight or obstruction.

Try this

  1. 1Check the hoop area for movement, drag or fabric stretched out of shape.
  2. 2Use stabilisation that supports the fabric throughout the design.
  3. 3Return a resized design to its original dimensions and test again.
  4. 4Reduce speed and support the weight of the item.
  5. 5Try a version digitised for the target fabric with suitable underlay and compensation.
  6. 6If distortion is present in every design, check hoop attachment and arrange service if necessary.

Prevention tips

  • Keep fabric on grain and relaxed when hooping.
  • Avoid resizing embroidery files far beyond their intended dimensions.
  • Match design density and stabilisation to the fabric.

Related issues

Fabric puckeringOutline not lining up / registration drifting