How to Prevent Looping in Machine Embroidery

Machine embroidery enhances clothing.

Machine embroidery can add a special, personal touch to any item. Most zigzag sewing machines are capable of machine embroidery. It is necessary to use the proper needle, thread and tension in order to get smooth, flawless machine embroidery. The user's manual is an infallible guide to the tension settings for your machine, but there are additional steps you can take to ensure a beautiful finish to your embroidery.

Things You'll Need

• Sewing machine embroidery thread or sewing thread
• Sewing machine needle

Instructions

1. Check the needle to be sure the eye is the proper size for the thread to pass through smoothly. Loops may occur if the thread drags as it passes through the needle.

2. Check the needle for burrs on the tip and make sure the tip isn't bent. Burrs will snag the material and the thread. A bent needle tip won't pass through the material efficiently.

3. Clean the bobbin shuttle and feed dog of any lint or debris that might hamper the flow of the thread. The thread should pass through the bobbin's tension arm smoothly but with some resistance.

4. Thread the sewing machine according to the user's manual. Set the tension and stitch size. The thread should pass through the needle smoothly but with a little resistance when the needle arm is lowered.

5. Make a sample swatch on a piece of material similar to the item you plan to embroider. Loops on the top of the material could mean that the top tension is too tight, causing the bobbin thread to loop on the top. Loops on the bottom of the material could mean that the top tension is too loose and the top thread is not locking properly with the bobbin thread.

Tips & Warnings

• Some sewing machines will accept plain sewing thread for machine embroidery, while others may require the smoother thread designed for machine embroidery.

References

• ABC Embroidery Designe: Machine Embroidery Tios

Resources

• NMSU Free-Motion Machine Embroidery