Skipped stitches happen when the needle misses the bobbin thread, leaving gaps in your seam
A skipped stitch looks like a broken line in your fabric—the needle goes down but doesn't catch the bobbin thread underneath, so that spot has no stitch at all. This is the most common sewing machine problem, and it almost always comes from one of four causes: a bent or dull needle, incorrect needle insertion, lint buildup in the bobbin area, or thread tension that is too tight. The good news is that you can fix it yourself in about ten minutes without calling a repair person.
Skipped stitches are not a sign your machine is broken. They mean something in the needle-and-bobbin system is slightly off. The needle has to pass through the fabric at exactly the right angle and speed to catch the bobbin thread. When any part of that system fails—a needle that is bent even a fraction of a millimeter, or lint blocking the bobbin hook—the timing breaks and you get gaps.
Key Takeaways
- A bent or dull needle is the most common cause of skipped stitches; replace it with a fresh needle in the correct size and type for your fabric.
- The needle must be inserted all the way to the stop and facing the correct direction, which varies by machine model—check your manual if you are unsure.
- Lint and thread bits collect in the bobbin area and block the hook that catches the thread; clean it out with a small brush every few projects.
- Thread tension that is too tight can prevent the bobbin thread from rising properly; loosen the top tension dial by half a number and test on scrap fabric.
- If skipped stitches happen only on certain fabrics or thread types, the needle size or thread weight may be mismatched to your material.
Replace the needle first—it is the easiest fix and the most common cause
Before you do anything else, put in a brand new needle. A needle that looks fine to your eye can be bent, dulled, or have a tiny burr that you cannot see. Even a microscopic bend will cause skipped stitches. Needles also dull from hitting pins, zippers, or seams, and they wear out from normal sewing—replace one every 6 to 8 hours of sewing time, or sooner if you sew heavy fabrics.
Make sure you are using the right needle for your fabric and thread. A size 80/12 universal needle works for most lightweight cottons and blends, but heavy fabrics like denim need a size 100/16 or 110/18. Stretch fabrics need a ballpoint or stretch needle. Topstitching thread needs a topstitch needle with a larger eye. Check your machine manual or the needle package for what your fabric requires. Insert the needle all the way up into the needle clamp until it stops, then tighten the clamp screw firmly. The flat side of the needle (or the groove, depending on your machine) must face the direction your manual shows—this is different on different brands.
After you insert the new needle, thread the machine with the presser foot up. This opens the tension discs so thread can sit between them properly. If you thread with the foot down, the thread sits on top of the discs instead of between them, and you will get tension problems and skipped stitches.
Clean lint and thread bits from the bobbin area
Lint, thread scraps, and dust collect around the bobbin hook and feed dogs—the metal teeth that move fabric under the needle. This buildup blocks the hook from catching the bobbin thread at the right moment. You do not need to take the machine apart. Open the bobbin cover (usually a small hinged or snap-off panel on the front or side), and use a small brush—a soft toothbrush works—to brush away lint from the bobbin area, the hook, and the feed dogs.
Pay special attention to the bobbin hook, which is the curved metal piece that the bobbin sits inside. Lint often collects in the groove where it catches the thread. Brush gently so you do not bend anything. If you see thread wrapped around the hook or feed dogs, use tweezers to pull it away. Do this cleaning every 5 to 10 projects, or more often if you sew with fuzzy fabrics like fleece or flannel.
While you have the bobbin cover open, check that the bobbin itself is wound evenly and not damaged. A bobbin with flat spots, cracks, or uneven winding can cause tension problems. If it looks worn, wind a fresh bobbin. Make sure the bobbin is inserted correctly—it should sit flat in the bobbin case with the thread tail pulled through the tension spring.
Loosen the top thread tension if it is too tight
Thread tension controls how hard the top thread pulls on the fabric. If the top tension is too tight, the top thread pulls so hard that it prevents the bobbin thread from rising up to lock the stitch. This causes skipped stitches, usually on the underside of the fabric where you see loops of bobbin thread.
Most machines have a tension dial on the front marked with numbers, usually 0 to 9. The middle number (often 4 or 5) is the default starting point. If you are getting skipped stitches, turn the dial down by half a number—from 5 to 4.5, for example—and test on a scrap of the same fabric you are sewing. Sew a few inches and check both sides. If stitches still skip, loosen it another half number and test again. Do not turn it more than one full number at a time, or you will overshoot and get loose, loopy stitches on top.
Tension problems often happen when you switch to a different thread weight or fabric type. Thick thread needs looser tension than thin thread. Heavy fabric needs slightly tighter tension than lightweight fabric. If you were sewing quilting cotton at tension 5 and now you are sewing silk charmeuse, start by testing at tension 4.5 on a scrap first.
Check that the needle is the right size and type for your fabric
A needle that is too small for your fabric or thread will bend under pressure, causing skipped stitches. A needle that is too large will leave visible holes in delicate fabric and can also skip stitches because it moves the fabric fibers too far apart. The needle size must match both your fabric weight and your thread weight.
Universal needles work for most everyday sewing, but specialty needles exist for a reason. Stretch fabrics like lycra or swimsuit material need a ballpoint needle that slides between fibers instead of piercing them. Topstitching thread is thick and needs a topstitch needle with an extra-large eye and deep groove. Metallic thread needs a metallic needle with a special coating. Denim and canvas need a strong needle in size 100 or larger. If you are sewing with the wrong needle type, you will get skipped stitches no matter how clean your machine is.
Check the needle package or your machine manual for the right needle. If you do not have the manual, search your machine model online and read it from the manufacturer's website. The manual will show a chart matching needle size and type to fabric weight.
Test on scrap fabric after each fix
After you make any change—new needle, cleaned bobbin area, adjusted tension—always test on a scrap of the same fabric you plan to sew. Sew a few inches in a straight line and check both the top and bottom of the seam. The stitches should look like a solid line with no gaps on either side. If you still see skipped stitches, move to the next fix on this list.
Keep testing scraps so you can see which fix worked. If skipped stitches stop after you replace the needle, you know the problem was the needle. If they stop after you clean the bobbin area, you know lint was the culprit. This helps you remember what to check first next time.
When to check the threading path and bobbin tension
If you have replaced the needle, cleaned the bobbin area, adjusted the top tension, and confirmed the needle type is correct, but stitches still skip, the problem may be in the threading path or the bobbin tension. Rethread the machine completely: raise the presser foot, remove the thread from all guides and the needle, then thread again slowly, making sure the thread sits in every guide and between the tension discs. Sometimes a thread slips out of a guide without you noticing, and that causes skipped stitches.
Bobbin tension is harder to adjust and usually should not need it, but if everything else checks out, the bobbin tension spring may be too tight. This is a small metal spring on the bobbin case. Loosen it very slightly by turning the screw a quarter turn counterclockwise. Test on a scrap. If that does not help, turn it back and consider having a technician check the machine—the bobbin hook may be bent or damaged.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can old thread cause skipped stitches?
Yes. Old thread becomes brittle and breaks easily, and it can also fray or shed lint that clogs the bobbin area. If you have thread that is more than a few years old, especially if it was stored in sunlight or heat, replace it. Fresh thread is inexpensive and prevents frustration.
Why do I get skipped stitches only on thick fabrics?
Thick fabric requires a larger needle and sometimes looser tension because the needle has to push harder to pierce the material. Switch to a size 100 or 110 needle and lower your tension by half a number. Test on a scrap of the same fabric before you start your project.
Do I need to take my machine to a repair shop if it still skips stitches?
Not yet. Go through the checklist one more time: new needle, cleaned bobbin area, correct threading with presser foot up, and adjusted tension. If stitches still skip after all four steps, the bobbin hook may be bent or the timing may be off, which requires professional service.
What if the needle keeps breaking instead of skipping stitches?
A breaking needle usually means you are using the wrong needle size for your fabric, sewing too fast, or pulling the fabric instead of letting the feed dogs move it. Slow down, use the correct needle size, and keep your hands relaxed—guide the fabric gently but do not pull.
Can humidity or temperature affect skipped stitches?
Rarely, but extreme changes can affect thread tension slightly. If your sewing room is very dry or very humid, thread may behave differently than it did in another season. If you suddenly get skipped stitches after a weather change, start by testing your tension on a scrap before adjusting anything.