Tips for Success
If you experience stitching problems even though you’ve carefully selected the needle type and size, consider the following possibilities:

Needle insertion. A needle that is not fully inserted into the needle clamp or inserted backward will not stitch properly or at all. Be sure to loosen the clamp screw enough to insert the needle as far as it will go; use the screwdriver provided with your machine to tighten the screw securely.

Needle quality. Use a new needle for each project and replace it after long periods of stitching. A needle that is dull or has a burr may result in broken thread, snagged fabric, or skipped stitches. Bent needles may break, cause skipped stitches, pull the fabric to one side, or damage the throat plate.

Stitch quality. If the quality of your sewing machine’s straight stitch is poor, consider changing the machine’s standard throat plate to a straight-stitch throat plate (available from your sewing machine dealer). Instead of an oval opening where the needle goes down to meet the bobbin hook, a straight-stitch throat plate has a smaller, round opening. The smaller opening prevents your fabric from being “swallowed” into the machine and often results in a better, more consistent stitch quality.