Sewing Machine Skipping Stitches, Fix the Problem Fast!
A sewing machine skipping stitches is one of the most common sewing machine problems and can quickly ruin the appearance and strength of your seams. Skipped stitches occur when the needle fails to catch the bobbin thread, leaving gaps in the stitching line. Fortunately, most skipped stitch problems are easy to diagnose and fix. Common causes include a damaged needle, incorrect threading, tension problems, lint buildup, or using the wrong needle for the fabric. This guide will walk you through the most common reasons a sewing machine skips stitches and show you how to get your machine sewing smoothly again.
Why is My Sewing Machine Skipping Stitches (Quick Guide)
A sewing machine usually skips stitches because of a damaged needle, incorrect needle type, threading problems, tension issues, lint buildup, or fabric-related sewing difficulties. Replacing the needle and rethreading the machine are often the fastest ways to solve the problem.
- Bent or dull needle
- Incorrect needle type
- Wrong needle size
- Machine threaded incorrectly
- Bobbin problems
- Poor-quality thread
- Incorrect tension
- Pulling the fabric while sewing
- Wrong presser foot
- Damaged needle plate
- Fabric that is too thick or too thin
Why is My Sewing Machine Skipping Stitches?
When you have a sewing machine skipping stitches, it is really frustrating and a waste of time as you fiddle and fuss over trying to get things right. There is nothing worse than the thread that breaks as you turn that vital corner or the foot that jams just as you are about to race along the seam of a new garment.
Having a checklist to troubleshoot when your sewing machine is skipping stitches is a wonderful resource to fall back on. It’s the next best thing to a machine mechanic in your own home.
What should you look for first? Before you start major troubleshooting, just do a rethread of your sewing machine, both on the top and bottom. Doing this is a basic technique that fixes many problems.
Have you ever restarted your computer when it was playing up? You restart, and the problem is miraculously fixed. Well, this is similar! If, after rethreading top and bottom, the sewing machine is still skipping stitches, then have a look at the 11 tips below.
Skipped stitches can have several causes, from incorrect needles to tension problems. For a complete diagnosis, read my sewing machine troubleshooting guide.
12 Ways to Fix a Sewing Machine Skipping Stitches
When troubleshooting your sewing machine skipping stitches, you should check your needles, thread, tension, foot, and the actual machine.
TIP: Before you start, check if the stitches are skipping on just one fabric or all fabrics. This will help you narrow down the correct solution.
1. Replace Bent or Dull Needle
If they are bent, blunt, or broken, you may have found the cause of the problem. Even if it looks ok, try replacing with a new needle in case the damage is not easily visible.
2. Check the Needle is Inserted Correctly
The flat side should be set at the back. Sewing machine needles are designed to be placed in the holder in one direction only.
3. Check the Needle Type
Check the size and type of needle are correct for the type of fabric you are sewing. I find it particularly important to have a stretch needle or ball point needle when sewing knit fabrics and Spandex or Lycra. Sewing leather without the proper needle is another cause of a sewing machine skipping stitches. The size of the needle must also match the fabric weight. The thicker the fabric, the larger the needle size.
You can read my full article on sewing machine needle sizes and uses but here is a basic run down.
| FABRIC TYPE | MACHINE NEEDLE TYPE |
| Lycra/Spandex | Stretch Needle |
| Leather/Vinyl | Leather Needle |
| Woven | Universal Needle |
| Knits/Stretch | Stretch or Jersey Needle |
| Denim | Denim or Jeans Needle |
4. Is the Machine Threaded Correctly
If you are a new sewer, then consult your manual to double-check that everything is correct. If you are an experienced sewer and have threaded your machine a million times, just undo everything and do a quick re-thread. Always rethread the bobbin after you have done the top spool. (How to thread a sewing machine)
5. Check the Bobbin
If you are still asking why is my sewing machine skipping stitches, check that the bobbin is wound evenly and tightly. An incorrectly wound bobbin can snag and produce uneven tension that can cause a sewing machine to skip stitches.
6. Check for Jams
Could the skipping stitches be caused by a tiny piece of thread being jammed in the needle plate or bobbin housing? Give your sewing machine a good clean for lint and dust.
7. Change Thread Quality
Are you using good-quality sewing machine thread, or is your thread snapping easily? I find that, particularly when sewing difficult fabrics like lycra, a good quality thread makes all the difference. Poor-quality thread can have burrs along its length that can get caught in the tension disk leading to snapping. Good quality brands of threads include Gutterman, Coates, and Rasant.
8. Check the Machine Tension Dials
If you have checked the needles and thread, next on the list if your sewing machine is skipping stitches is sewing machine tension.
Check the tension of the sewing machine and try some different options on a scrap of fabric to get the right tension for the fabric you are using. The upper and lower tension should be even, with no loops or uneven stitches. Start by checking the tension dials and then consult your manual to see if the bobbin case has a tension screw (not all machines have this).
9. Stop Pulling the Fabric
Check your own tension. Are you feeling tense about this garment? Sometimes in our anxiety to get the job done, we pull the fabric instead of letting it feed through naturally and cause unnecessary tension. Let the feed dogs do the work of feeding the fabric through the machine. Don’t push or pull.
10. Replace Sewing Machine Foot
In certain circumstances, sticky fabric such as leather or Lycra may be dragging underneath the sewing machine’s presser foot. The ideal solution is to switch to a Teflon foot, but alternatively, try a bit of sellotape on the bottom to help it glide over your fabric more evenly.
Specialty feet can make all the difference to some tricky fabrics.
11. Check Your Machine Plate
Look at the throat plate on your machines and check for any nicks that might be snagging the thread. Nicks can be caused by a needle bending and hitting the side of the plate. I generally need to replace my plate every couple of years. Don’t worry. This is normally a very cheap part and is easily switched over with one or two screws.
12. Change the Fabric Weight
Stitches can stitch when the fabric is too thick for the machine. This can happen when you are stitching lots of layers or stitching across lots of seam allowances. Try a longer stitch length. On the other hand, a thin fabric can also cause the sewing machine to skip stitches. Try adding some interfacing or another layer of fabric.
How to Prevent Skipped Stitches
Once you have solved the immediate problem, there are several ways to prevent skipped stitches in the future:
- Replace needles regularly.
- Match the needle to the fabric type.
- Use good-quality thread.
- Clean lint from the machine frequently.
- Rethread the machine when changing the thread.
- Use the correct presser foot for specialty fabrics.
- Avoid forcing or pulling the fabric while sewing.
Regular sewing machine maintenance can prevent many skipped stitch problems before they occur.
Sewing Machine Skipping Stitches FAQs
Knits and stretch fabrics often require a stretch or jersey needle. Universal needles may fail to catch the bobbin thread correctly, causing skipped stitches.
Heavy fabrics such as denim, canvas, and upholstery fabrics require larger needle sizes. A needle that is too small may struggle to penetrate multiple layers.
Yes. A dull or damaged needle is one of the most common causes of skipped stitches and should be replaced immediately.
This is often caused by incorrect threading or the thread not being seated properly in the tension discs. Rethread both the upper thread and bobbin.
If you have replaced the needle, rethreaded the machine, checked tension, and cleaned lint buildup but the machine still skips stitches on all fabrics, it may need professional servicing.
Pin for Later
In Conclusion
A sewing machine skipping stitches is usually caused by issues with the needle, threading, tension, or maintenance. Start with the simplest fixes: replace the needle, rethread the machine, and check the bobbin before moving on to more advanced troubleshooting. In most cases, skipped stitches can be fixed quickly, allowing you to get back to sewing with strong, even seams.
More Troubleshooting
- Sewing Needle Keeps Breaking
- How to Clean a Sewing Machine
- Sewing Machine Thread Keeps Breaking
- Seam Puckering when Sewing
- Sewing Machine Manuals
- Sewing Safety Tips for Beginners
- Sewing Machine Troubleshooting
- Sewing Machine Tension
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.
