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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.

Stitch Quality

Poor stitch coverage or gaps

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

What you may see

  • Fabric or stabiliser shows through areas that should have solid fill or satin coverage.
  • Gaps may appear between rows, around edges or after the fabric relaxes.

Likely causes

  • The design density or underlay is unsuitable for the fabric.
  • Fabric has shifted, stretched or sunk into a textured surface.
  • Thread weight is finer than the design was digitised for.
  • The design was resized beyond a safe range without recalculating stitches.
  • Tension imbalance is pulling stitches away from their intended position.

Try this

  1. 1Check that the correct colour stops completed and no thread break was missed.
  2. 2Confirm the fabric is secure and adequately stabilised.
  3. 3Use a water-soluble topper on towels, fleece or other pile fabrics.
  4. 4Test with the thread weight intended by the design.
  5. 5Return the design to its original size or use properly recalculated embroidery software.
  6. 6Choose a version digitised for the fabric if coverage remains poor.

Prevention tips

  • Use designs digitised for the target fabric and thread weight.
  • Avoid large percentage resizing in the machine.
  • Use topper and suitable underlay for textured materials.

Related issues

Stitches sinking into towels or pileOutline not lining up / registration drifting