... Had lots of skipped stitches sewing … Upper tension is too tight. When this happens, you have to open up the stitches and start all over again. In summary, quality sewing machines are designed to stay in timing and balance, and only in rare instances do we see that machines are out of timing. This is absolutely the first thing you should do if your machine is skipping stitches. remember 80% of the time the issues is not caused by the machine. Be sure your sewing machine is clean and lint-free. 2. Before you start berating your high end sewing machine, you should know that skipped stitches … Incorrect machine threading can be another culprit–be sure the bobbin is inserted properly. I also remembered a relative complaining about how her expensive, high end sewing machine … Check to be sure you are … - Adjust the upper tension of the thread. A sewing machine simply cannot form a stitch with a dull needle and there are so many variables that can cause your needle to become dull. I suspect the biggest issue might be breakage of a 15 tex core spun in a high-speed coverstitch machine w/out lubricant. Skipped stitches are every sewer’s nightmare! Follow the steps below if your machine is skipping stitches. As I was pondering my problem with skipped stitches, I remembered how my old serger would stop skipping stitches when I used thicker, high quality thread in the needles. Sometimes a needle can become dull even after a few minutes of sewing if the wrong needle is being used. The upper thread is threaded incorrectly. 3. I use these threads in my household machine (1300 SPM) and my industrial machines (3500 – 5000 SPM); and, I’ve never had an issue of them melting in the needle due to friction. Follow the instruction manual to clean and lubricate the machine… 1. Residual finishes can cause skipped stitches, so always preshrink before sewing. There’s really nothing quite as annoying as being half way through a project and your machine starts skipping stitches. If a machine skips stitches, frays and breaks thread, has a bad tension etc.