My Carpet Binding Machine Is Skipping Stitches

Needle Size

• To make a proper stitch, the needle must stay in accurate alignment with the hook. The hook is part of the lower feed system that captures the thread from the needle. A common cause of misalignment is a bent or flexing needle. When heavy or multiple layers of fabric are sewn, the needle must be strong enough to resist flexing. Replacing the existing needle with a larger needle may solve the problem.

Needle Installation

• If the needle is slightly rotated or not properly seated, the hook will not consistently pick up the thread from the needle and cause stitches to skip. Remove the needle by unscrewing the thumb screw that holds it in place. Inspect the needle to ensure it is not bent. Reinstall or replace the needle. The scarf, or flat portion of the needle, must face the back of the machine with the groove running the length of the needle facing forward. Once the needle is properly seated, tighten the thumb screw to hold it in place.

Presser Foot

• If the presser foot is not set to the proper height, binding may be difficult and the machine may skip stitches. If the foot is set too close to the throat plate, the carpet will not move smoothly through the machine. If the foot is too far from the throat plate, the feed dogs will not be able to advance the carpet as it is sewn. Different carpets require different presser-foot heights. The foot must be close enough to the plate to hold the carpet in place without causing the carpet to drag as it is sewn.

Thread Tension

• Improper thread tension can cause a number of problems, including skipped stitches. Often, the cause is improper machine threading. From the spool, the thread passes between several tension discs and arms before it reaches the needle. Re-thread the machine, then test the tension by sewing through a carpet remnant. Adjust the upper and lower thread tension by turning the tension control knob clockwise to tighten and counterclockwise to loosen. Retest after each adjustment.