Sewing Machine Needles Keep Breaking, Fix it Quick!
If your sewing machine needle keeps breaking, you’re not alone. Broken needles are one of the most common sewing machine problems and can be caused by anything from using the wrong needle size to incorrect machine settings or poor sewing habits. Fortunately, most needle breakage issues are easy to diagnose and fix. In this guide, you’ll learn the most common reasons a sewing machine needle breaks, how to identify the cause, and the simple steps you can take to prevent it from happening again.
Common Causes of a Broken Sewing Machine Needle (Quick Guide)
A sewing machine needle usually breaks because it is bent, incorrectly inserted, hitting the presser foot or needle plate, being used on the wrong fabric, or being forced through the fabric.
- Bent or damaged needle
- Wrong needle size
- Incorrect needle type
- Needle inserted incorrectly
- Loose needle clamp
- Pulling the fabric while sewing
- Wrong bobbin type
- Bobbin inserted incorrectly
- Incorrect machine settings
- Dirty machine
Why Is My Sewing Machine Needle Breaking?
A broken sewing machine needle usually happens when you are racing down a seam at the rate of knots. Suddenly you hear a crunch and the awful snapping sound as the needle breaks. Your dream of being a Formula One sewing driver ends, and you realize you must get to the bottom of this problem.
If your sewing machine needle keeps breaking after trying these fixes, read my complete sewing machine troubleshooting guide for more common machine problems and solutions.
What happens when the sewing machine needle keeps breaking? Here are a few easy steps to check why your machine needle is breaking.
| Common Causes | Description | How to Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Bent Needle | Hit the foot or plate | Replace needle |
| Needle Position | Set to the left or right | Change settings |
| Wrong Needle Size | Needle too fine or thick | Change needle size |
| Incorrect Needle Type | Specialty fabrics | Change needle type |
| Loose Needle Clamp | Needle wobble, break | Tighten clamp or screw |
| Pulling the Fabric | Manually pulling fabric | Stop pulling |
| Wrong Bobbin Type | Metal, plastic or size | Change bobbin |
| Bobbin Insertion | Incorrectly set bobbins | Reset bobbin |
| Needle Insertion | Flat side facing back | Re-insert needle |
| Machine Maintenance | Dirt, lint, or stray threads | Clean machine |
10 Reasons Sewing Machine Needles Break
1. The Sewing Machine Needle Is Bent
Check the needle is not bent and hitting the edge of the foot. Even if the needle looks straight, I recommended you replace it anyway. The bend may be slight and not visible to the naked eye.
2. Incorrect Needle Positioning
Check the needle position – Is it to the left or the right? Were you zig-zagging previously, perhaps, and need to put it back on a straight stitch? Gently hand-turn the flywheel on the side and see if the needle is hitting the side of the foot. Adjust the stitch width if it is hitting the foot side.
3. The Needle Size Is Wrong for the Fabric
Is your needle the correct size and type for the fabric you chose? This is a common reason sewing machine needles break. Check and adjust if necessary – it will make all the difference. (Read my guide to needle sizes).
Heavier fabrics, in particular, will need thicker needles so they don’t bend or break when going in. Here are some suggested needle sizes for you.
| FABRIC WEIGHT | SEWING NEEDLE SIZE |
| Very Fine | 8/60, 9/65, 10/70 |
| Fine | 11/75, 12/80 |
| Medium | 14/90 |
| Heavy | 16/100 |
| Very Heavy | 18/110 |
| Extra Heavy | 20/120 |
4. Are You Using the Wrong Needle Type
Is your needle the correct type for the fabric you are sewing? There are specialty needles for different types of fabrics such as leather and denim. (Read types of sewing machine needles.) There are also specialty needles for quilting which are designed to sew through heavier layers. Many of these heavier needles are made from reinforced metals. Here is a table outlining some of the correct needle types so you don’t get a broken needle while sewing.
| Fabric Type | Sewing Needle Type | Needle Size |
|---|---|---|
| Denim | Denim or Thick Universal | 16/100, 18/110 |
| Knits | Stretch, Jersey | 11/75, 12/80 |
| Woven | Universal | 12/80, 14/90 |
| Leather | Leather | 14/90, 16/100 |
| Quilting | Quilting | 11/75, 14/90 |
5. The Needle Clamp is Loose
The needle clamp has a screw to the side, and sometimes it can come loose. Check and tighten if need be. Mine comes loose regularly from the vibration of the machine. When it comes loose, the needle wobbles and can hit the side of the presser foot and result in a broken sewing machine needle.
6. You are Pulling the Fabric
Relax as you sew and ease the fabric along. Pulling causes rough tension and may snap the thread, which is going to break a needle or two. Everything is a chain reaction.
6. Using the Wrong Bobbin
Check your bobbin is the correct one for your machine. Bobbins can be metal or plastic and have slightly different sizes. Check it is compatible with the brand of your machine. Sewing machines are designed to work with specific bobbins (e.g., metal or plastic, standard or specialized sizes). Using the wrong bobbin can affect the machine’s tension and cause the needle to break.
8. Bobbin Incorrectly Inserted
Check your bobbin is set in the casing correctly. The needle may be hitting something it shouldn’t, causing the sewing machine needle to break.
9. Needle Incorrectly Inserted
Make sure that you inserted the needle correctly into the needle shaft with the flat side to the back and screwed it in properly if it was a needle replacement. If your needle isn’t inserted correctly it will always lead to the needle breaking.
10. Machine Needs Cleaning
Check for any obstructions in the bobbin case. (How to clean a sewing machine). Over time, your sewing machine can accumulate lint, dust, and stray threads, especially around the bobbin case, needle area, and feed dogs. These obstructions can cause the needle to hit something it shouldn’t, leading to breakage. Regular cleaning keeps your machine running smoothly and prevents unexpected needle breaks.
Tip: Make it a habit to clean your sewing machine after every major project, especially when working with fabrics that shed a lot of lint, such as fleece, denim, or felt. If you sew frequently, do a deeper clean and maintenance check at least once a month.
Tips to Prevent Sewing Machine Needle from Breaking
If you’re tired of dealing with broken needles interrupting your sewing projects, there are several preventive measures you can take.
- Use the Right Needle for Your Fabric
- Change Your Needle Regularly – After 8-10 hours of sewing.
- Avoid Sewing Over Pins
- Check Your Machine Settings Before Starting
- Keep Your Machine Clean and Well-Maintained
- Secure the Needle Properly
- Let the Machine Feed the Fabric
By following these tips, you can significantly reduce the chances of your sewing machine needle breaking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sewing thick fabrics like denim, canvas, or upholstery can put extra stress on your needle. If the needle is too fine, it may bend or snap. To prevent this, use a stronger, thicker needle such as a denim or heavy-duty needle (e.g. size 16/100 or 18/110).
To check if your needle is bent, remove it from the machine and roll it on a flat surface. If the needle doesn’t roll smoothly and appears to wobble, it’s likely bent.
If your needle breaks while using a zigzag stitch, it may be due to incorrect needle positioning or stitch width settings. Make sure the needle is centered and adjust the stitch width so the needle doesn’t hit the presser foot or plate as it moves from side to side.
Pin for Later
In Conclusion
Now you are ready for that ‘point break’ moment, and with your checklist in hand, you will be able to tackle any problems that cause your sewing needle to break. You can sew with confidence, knowing you can resolve all “sewing machine needle keeps breaking” issues.
More Troubleshooting Articles
- How to Clean a Sewing Machine
- Sewing Machine Thread Keeps Breaking
- Sewing Machine Skipping Stitches
- Seam Puckering when Sewing
- Sewing Machine Manuals
- Sewing Safety Tips for Beginners
- Sewing Machine Troubleshooting
- Sewing Machine Tension
- How to Thread a Sewing Machine
Author - Luisa Clare
Luisa Clare is the founder of Treasurie, a sewing and crochet education platform offering step-by-step tutorials and printable patterns. With over 15 years of experience in dressmaking, pattern design, crochet, and craft education, she specialises in teaching beginners through clear, easy-to-follow lessons. Her tutorials and patterns are used by home sewists and crocheters worldwide to build practical skills and confidence. Learn more about Luisa and Treasurie.
Thank you!
great I felt so incompetent when I could not find the cause, now I can get back to it with my confidence in place
Great, thank you 😊
Very informative. Love the info