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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

Fabric puckering

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

What you may see

  • Wrinkles or ripples form around the embroidered design.
  • The fabric may draw inward during stitching or pucker after it is removed from the hoop.

Likely causes

  • Stabilisation is too light, unsuitable or does not extend far enough beyond the design.
  • Fabric was stretched while hooping and contracted after release.
  • The design is too dense for the fabric or uses insufficient underlay.
  • Thread tension is too tight.
  • The fabric is lightweight, weak or sensitive to dense stitching.

Try this

  1. 1Check that the fabric is flat and relaxed in the hoop rather than stretched.
  2. 2Use a stabiliser type and weight suited to the fabric and design density.
  3. 3Rethread the machine and test with a fresh needle before changing tension.
  4. 4Reduce speed and test on the same fabric-and-stabiliser combination.
  5. 5Choose a lighter or better-digitised design if puckering follows dense areas.
  6. 6Make only small tension changes after hooping, stabilisation and threading have been checked.

Prevention tips

  • Hoop fabric in its natural, relaxed state with even tension.
  • Test dense designs on the intended fabric before embroidering the final item.
  • Use permanent support for knits and unstable fabrics.

Related issues

Fabric shifting during embroideryDesign distorting during embroidery