Generally the machine is making poor stitches going forward before it makes skipped stitches going backwards. Start out by correcting any tension imbalance first. Then:
I usually start with the simplest thing first. Put in a new needle and make sure the eye is straight so that the scarf of the needle is meeting the hook properly.
If it still skips, I look for places that there might me a flaw in my thread path. 1.) Is the thread coming off the cone properly? I follow the thread all the way to the needle to make sure its right. 2.) Did you break a needle lately? If so, it might have made a groove in the needle plate at the hole which you can sand out. Then, lean your machine back and run your finger around the edge of your hook. If there is a rough spot, use a piece of emery paper to smooth it out. 3.) Take your bobbin out and check to make sure that there aren't rough edges to the bobbin(throw it away if there are), then put a bobbin back in and see if the thread pulls out of the bobbin holder smoothly.
Then, I look at the underneath of the foot I am using to see if it isn't holding the material to the feed dogs firmly. If the foot is allowing the material to move up and down slightly with the needle, you will have 'flagging' and that causes skipped stitches.I generally try a couple different feet and see if it stops the problem.
Lastly, be sure that your needle and your thread are compatible with the material you are sewing. If you are using a needle that is too small to make a proper sized hole in the material for the size of the thread, you might have enough stress on the stitches to cause the skipped stitches.
Answers & Comments
Generally the machine is making poor stitches going forward before it makes skipped stitches going backwards. Start out by correcting any tension imbalance first. Then:
- I usually start with the simplest thing first. Put in a new needle and make sure the eye is straight so that the scarf of the needle is meeting the hook properly.
- If it still skips, I look for places that there might me a flaw in my thread path. 1.) Is the thread coming off the cone properly? I follow the thread all the way to the needle to make sure its right. 2.) Did you break a needle lately? If so, it might have made a groove in the needle plate at the hole which you can sand out. Then, lean your machine back and run your finger around the edge of your hook. If there is a rough spot, use a piece of emery paper to smooth it out. 3.) Take your bobbin out and check to make sure that there aren't rough edges to the bobbin(throw it away if there are), then put a bobbin back in and see if the thread pulls out of the bobbin holder smoothly.
- Then, I look at the underneath of the foot I am using to see if it isn't holding the material to the feed dogs firmly. If the foot is allowing the material to move up and down slightly with the needle, you will have 'flagging' and that causes skipped stitches.I generally try a couple different feet and see if it stops the problem.
- Lastly, be sure that your needle and your thread are compatible with the material you are sewing. If you are using a needle that is too small to make a proper sized hole in the material for the size of the thread, you might have enough stress on the stitches to cause the skipped stitches.
- Good Luck!