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skipping stitches in one direction and fine in another direction help


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My sewing machine is skipping all stitches in one direction but not the other directions. I tried changing the needle, changing the bobbin, changing the thread, changing the pattern, changing the tension, oiling the machine. I have had my machine in to the dealer 2 times the past few months. I don't know what to do. I have a quilt started for a bride and can't finish it because of the problems. Please, can anyone help me.

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If this is an APQS machine check for hook play in and out and adjust the hook collar if needed.  If an older machine also check for needle bar play fore and aft and side to side, should be none.  Movement in either of these areas will make it impossible to keep the machine in perfect timing.  Part of the problem with the skipped stitches is usually needle flex and using a larger needle and a shorter stitch will quite often help with that.  If that doesn't work I think you will have to retime or adjust the hook to needle clearance.

 

Nigel

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  • 1 year later...

A quick thought on this old thread:

A few months ago I ordered needles as specified by my Millie manual. The online store mailed some out to me and I didn't check the lable on what they had sent. Came time to use one and I discovered my stitches skipping in one direction but not the other. Millie normally gives me a beautiful stitch so I spent a long time tryng to figure out what was happening. I was a newbie with my machine so i thought it was something i was doing wrong. My husband saw my frustration and asked what had I changed since the last time I sewed. Of course it was the needle. I popped the old one back in and I got a beautiful stitch again. I tried another new needle from the pack thinking the first new one was defective... same skipped stitches! I looked at the box the needles were in and discovered that the store had sent me needles with different specs to what I had ordered. Research on the internet showed that I had been sent ones that are not designed for multi directional sewing! I phoned the store owner who admitted to sending me the needles and  insisted that Groz Beckert said these ones were interchangeable with what I had ordered and even displayed a photo of what she had sent me on her site under the requested needles number! This store specializes only in long arm supplies and had sold a lot of folks this incorrect pack of 100 needles for at least a year that I know of! Lots of back and forth with a reluctant store owner until I spent another CAN$17 on shipping  in the manner exactly as the store owner requested. it took just over a month before she issued me a refund for the needles, but did not reimburse the taxes and shipping, and also did not replace the needles. No apology or admitting wrong doing either. I would be a fool to buy from that store again! I ordered new needles from another online store that has always been great to me and received what I requested and have not had any further problems with skipped stitches.

So yeah, my lesson learned was check needle lables carefully when you get them, make certain they are the ones you ordered ... if the stitch isn't great put your old one that worked back in again (if it is still functional) to eliminate the possibility that you might just be using an incorrect or defective one. And of course, value and treasure the store owners that treat you right, there are lots of good ones out there.

I hope that helps!

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Jameel 

Once I had skipped stitches when using a new supply of needles that came from APQS (exactly the same label as the old ones).  I had to tighten up my hook to needle clearance and all was well and never had an issue since.  So it can happen even when you get the correct ones although pretty rare.

 

Nigel

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That doesn't sound like fun, Nigel. I wouldn't have a clue in how to tighten up the hook! So many possibilities on what can go wrong. It helps to know how to eliminate them and troubleshoot... that is why APQS service staff and my dear husband are just awesome! Hoping I don't run into that issue you had or I will have to bug my hubby again to help me figure it out. He didn't have any idea that he would be learning how to fix long arm quilting machines in this lifetime... he has been having a crash course this past year! Lol! I hinted at him starting an APQS dealership as a possible retirement plan one day (while i quilt!) since he is a mechanic and gaining lots of experience with my sewing machines (just because he loves me). I am not sure he is taking the bait!.Darn. 

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Oh my goodness! I am laughing so hard right now!

I am absolutely NOT mechanically inclined. I wish I were... my husband and I balance each other out. I really like my old Maytag repair man! Lol!

My Millie has just required tweaking and a few upgrades (new wheels yet required), plus I managed to fill the fly wheel solid with thread on one of my first practice sessions (I thought I had killed her :-) ). But I can admit that I couldn't have tackled any of them on my own with my personal mechanical deficiencies, even though these machines are exceptionally user friendly and reliable and the APQS service department do send fabulous instructions with the parts they sell.

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48 minutes ago, jameel said:

Oh my goodness! I am laughing so hard right now!

I am absolutely NOT mechanically inclined. I wish I were... my husband and I balance each other out. I really like my old Maytag repair man! Lol!

My Millie has just required tweaking and a few upgrades (new wheels yet required), plus I managed to fill the fly wheel solid with thread on one of my first practice sessions (I thought I had killed her :-) ). But I can admit that I couldn't have tackled any of them on my own with my personal mechanical deficiencies, even though these machines are exceptionally user friendly and reliable and the APQS service department do send fabulous instructions with the parts they sell.

You need to dd a cover for the flywheel on the right hand side....buy a new chap stick and take the cover from the blister pack a tape over the fly wheel problem solved.

 

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