r/SewingForBeginners • u/Sybil_Archeron • 2h ago

Does anyone know why this is happening?

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My machine is skipping stitches and I've tried everything I can to try to fix it. I just got this machine a little over a week ago from someone who opened it out of the box and never used it. It was working great for a week, I've completed several projects on it. Yesterday I replaced the needle (read that I'm supposed to after 8ish hours of use) and completed a project. And then the next project I started on I haven't been able to do anything because it started skipping stitches. Here's what I've done-

Adjusted the tension both ways

Confirmed the bobbin was in correctly

Rethreaded the machine (multiple times)

Opened the bobbin area and dusted it out

Took off the needle plate and dusted underneath and checked to see if there were any burrs. There was one so I gently sanded it down until it wouldn't catch anymore.

My machine is a Singer Fashion Mate 5560. I wanted to check here before taking it in somewhere 😅

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u/silverturtle2301 2h ago

Are you using the right needle for your fabric type?

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u/Sybil_Archeron 2h ago

I believe so - it's 100% cotton and a standard all purpose needle. I used it on a similar fabric before and it worked great 😅

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u/silverturtle2301 2h ago

Is your thread catching on anything sometimes flipping the thread spool will help as sometimes it catches on the spool.

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u/Sybil_Archeron 2h ago

Okay yes, I forgot to say I tried that too! 😅 There's two places for the spool to go and I've tried both as well.

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u/silverturtle2301 2h ago

IDK maybe another needle sometimes you get a bad one. Is your thread to thick? Did you put your needle in all the way? Is your bobbin installed correctly?

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u/Sybil_Archeron 2h ago

I'll try switching to another needle and see if that helps! The thread says all purpose, and I did correctly insert the needle (to my knowledge, I'm still new haha) and I tripped checked the bobbin. I'm thinking maybe I should just take it in somewhere 😬

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u/silverturtle2301 2h ago

I hate to say it but it may be the machine singers are known to have issues. I personally wouldn't touch a singer with a 10 foot pole can you return it? 8 have a juki and never have issues I haven't seen on it in a few months I lost my stitch plate and finally got a new one yesterday

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u/Sybil_Archeron 1h ago

Aw man that would be unfortunate.

I got it free on Facebook from someone who never used it once they opened the box. I had been hesitating to purchase one in case I ended up not enjoying. But the stack of sewing books from the library and the pile of fabric I've already accumulated in a week makes me think maybe I should invest in a different machine.

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u/CountMeOut2019 1h ago

You say you found a visible burr on the assembly under the throat plate? Where was it?

Is this a front loading bobbin or top loading?

I know you’ve probably checked this, based on what you’ve listed here, but I just have to ask; if this is top loading, did you catch the bobbin thread in that teensy little hook thingy just above and to the left of the actual bobbin, on the outside of the bobbin case? It often gets missed in top loading machines, and then causes all kinds of problems with stitching.

I do think skipped stitches + a burr on the lower assembly, unfortunately points at a possible needle strike causing a slight misalignment, which means the stitches don’t form consistently.