5 Most Common Machine Embroidery Problems and Their Solutions

Are you experiencing poor embroidery quality?

If yes, this blog will help you learn the most common machine embroidery problems and causes, not only issues but we will also guide you to their solutions.

A digitizer is often blamed for poor embroidery quality, and issues are believed to be caused by poor digitizing; even those problems or errors are not always related to embroidery digitizing, and this is the most sensitive issue to talk about because a professional digitizer does not ever want to give a bad or problematic impression to their customers.

Sometimes, the issue is outside the digitizer’s control, and a user needs to take into account the production process to find the solution to those arising problems.

The goal of embroidery is considered that each and every stitch is ideally tensioned and placed, and the embroidery is smooth and ripple-free, but in reality, this goal is unreachable without any hurdles.

The embroidery process indeed becomes ultra-fast with the machines, yet with all those ease and comforts, machines can be problematic too in embroidery. Therefore, you have to face a lot of the hustle bustle while experiencing machine embroidery.

Why Does My Embroidery Look Bad?

You may experience a variety of machine embroidery problems. Therefore, as a result, you will remain unable to achieve the perfect embroidery look.

Let’s take a deep look at those common machine problems, their reasons, and how to troubleshoot problems.

Here are 5 most common machine embroidery problems you may have while using your embroidery machine.

Bird nesting is the accumulation of a thick knot of thread that appears on the back side of the fabric in the course of embroidery. It is a collection of entangled upper and lower shuttle threads. Birdnesting can reduce productivity and can also ruin your embroidery project, and this problem typically arises when the polyester top thread is inappropriately tensioned.

• Either the upper or lower (bobbin) thread settings or both are incorrect.
• The machine was improperly threaded. For instance, the upper thread is slack, while the bobbin thread is tight.
• Commercial machines may experience cutting mechanism issues, and the shuttle alignment may be off.
• Designing flaws- There can be too many short stitches with too little space between them
• The fabric’s hoop was too loose.

Even though you might not be able to stop every incidence of birdnesting, you can definitely stop it from happening frequently and seriously impeding your production flow by paying close attention to every step of the stitching process. E.g.

• Take a close look at the tension and all the threading.
• Correct any flagging issues.
• Keep an eye on the embroidery process and be alert for any unexpected or changing sewing quality,
• Machine noise or other signs. To protect the clothing from damage, halt the machine right away.
• Keep a record of “thread break” notifications. It could be a birdnesting alert rather than a true thread break.
• Make sure everything is aligned correctly so you can finish the design. Adjust the hoop or needle location using the control panel on your machine if the design is not aligned.

In machine sewing and machine embroidery, the most common issue is thread break. Thread breaks and frays are somehow similar issues. This is one of the most frequent and annoying machine embroidery problem.

It can make you to cry out in frustration, “Why is my sewing machine’s thread still breaking? What is the issue, and how can I solve it?

We are going to discuss the reasons for the thread break issue that will aid in the speedy and effective identification and resolution of the problem. It will lead you to efficiently and effectively complete your embroidery project.

Let’s discuss the reasons, mistakes, and solutions for thread breaks.

• Improper top threading.
• Improper inserting of machine needles.
• Low-quality embroidery threads can cause frequent thread breaks.
• Incorrect or damaged needle.
• Bobbin tension is too tight.

Although thread breaks might be annoying, you can still prevent them in your future embroidery projects if you know what kind of break you’re experiencing and why.

Here are some solutions to embroidery thread breakage.

• Make sure that the needle’s eye is not pointed to the left. The needle’s eye should be facing ahead or just to the right.
• Make sure the flat part of the needle is facing the rear and that it is fully entered.
• Try various brands or thread colors if you are only using standard embroidery thread to see if the issue is temporarily fixed.
• Check out the machine timing, improper timings can also cause thread breaks.
• Switch to a different design and examine if you still have the issue.

Breaking needles in the middle of an embroidery design is frustrating. It is one of the most common machine embroidery problems. Machine needle breakage is caused by mechanical failure, and there can be many reasons for needle breaking, some of which are mentioned below.

• Inappropriate installation of throat plates.
• Possibly, the needle is not properly installed.
• The needle could break if your machine’s tension is too tight.
• If the needle is bent or blunt, it breaks quickly.
• If the bobbin thread is incorrectly wound, it can cause machine needle breakage.

It is inevitable to get into trouble while embroidering, but if you are aware of the procedure, you may easily address the needle break problems.

Here, we are providing some basic solutions. To learn how to prevent dealing with those annoying needle breaks, keep reading!

• Make sure the thread is fed through the tension spring while setting up the bobbin, and make sure your bobbin is facing the right way.
• Probably, the bobbin which is being used is not made specifically for this machine. Choose the right bobbin.
• Use the appropriate size of a fresh needle for the fabric.
• Utilize the appropriate presser foot for the stitch type and modify the needle position as necessary.
• Every embroiderer should read the machine and observe tips and tricks to make the experience easier and minimize needle breaks.

Skipping stitches is another common machine embroidery problem. The embroidery machine can skip one or more stitches if you do not take care of it. Even though it may be a typical issue, you should not neglect it because neglecting this issue can make you compromise on the quality of your embroidery project.

Let’s discuss some of the main reasons why machines skip stitches and what you may do to prevent them.

• Too much tight upper tension can be the main reason for the skipping machine stitches.
• Another common reason for your embroidery machine’s stitch-skipping problem may be the quality of the thread.
• The selection of incorrect needles for fabric type can be the cause.
• The stitch does not form if the top and bottom threads do not join perfectly.
• Dust under the needle plate and all around the bobbin case can also be the major reason.

If the machine begins skipping stitches, it will eventually affect your efforts towards your embroidery project. Skipped stitches typically indicate deeper issues with your embroidery machine. Keeping your machine maintained is one of the greatest methods to avoid skipping stitches.

Check out the list of troubleshooting suggestions for avoiding this major issue.

• Make sure that the needle is not inserted in the wrong way, slightly rotated, or even not firmly inserted.
• Ensure that the spool is properly positioned on the machine and that the thread is in the tension disk.
• Again, make very sure that the bobbin is threaded tightly and in the proper direction.
• Verify that you are using the perfect combination of fabric, thread, and needle.
• It is best to routinely oil your embroidery machine if you want to make it run properly.

The issue of the machine making noise while operating is very common and annoying as well. The machine embroidery is not unique from any other machine, but it needs servicing, cleaning, and upkeep. There can be many reasons why your embroidery machine is making a loud sound. Some of the reasons are described below.

• If the dust is accumulated on the working portions of the machine, this might result in issues like making noises.
• Your embroidery machine may make clanking noises if you are using the wrong needle size.
• A damaged or blunt needle can be the reason as well.
• The incorrect upper threading can create this issue.
• Some embroidery machines vibrate as well. These vibrations could produce a loud noise.

Working with a noisy machine is very annoying and disturbing. However, depending on the causes, there are different ways to fix the loud noise of the embroidery machine. To learn how to mend noisy embroidery machines, follow these simple solutions.

• Clean your machine first is always an excellent trick to pursue when you are having issues with your embroidery machine.
• Replace the needle in the machine with a new and perfect-sized needle.
• Apply the rubber or any protective pad under the machine to reduce the vibration.
• Check if the thread runs smoothly by pulling the upper thread from beneath the presser foot.
• When you hear your embroidery machine making noise, oil them immediately.

Having certain machine embroidery problems is obvious, but we can avoid these common issues from having rapidly with some master tips and tricks. We recommend the following pieces of advice that might prevent embroidery machine maintenance issues.

• Have a skilled mechanic inspection and maintain your machine. At least once every year.
• Always use high-quality thread, change the needle frequently, and keep the machine clean.
• When your machine is not used, cover it with a dust cover to prevent dust damage.
• Turn off your machine if you aren’t using it. Save some energy and make your screen last longer.
• Make sure you choose the best material, of stabilizers, machine needles, threads, etc., because poor quality embroidery material can also cause many problems.
• Last but not least, restarting computerized embroidery machines is occasionally necessary. Try turning it off and on again to see if the problems disappear.

Well, these were the most common machine embroidery problems, and by following the above guidelines, hopefully, you will be able to handle such problems. Furthermore, learning the most frequent issues about your embroidery machine would also be the ideal preparation for a prosperous embroidery future.