Why do I get skipped stitches with ballpoint needles?

Is your machine a Singer? If not, that's a problem. Needles for a Singer machines are a little bit longer than needles for most other machines. A Singer needle in a non-Singer machine can skip. A non-Singer needle in a Singer machine can skip.

The other question is "on what fabric"? Ball-point needles are for use on knits. They can skip stitches on woven fabrics. And that's just a general guideling. There are some knit fabrics which sew better with a universal point needle, and some wovens which sew better with a ball-point.

It's also possible that you're using the wrong size needle. What are you sewing, and what size needle are you using?

-- Jenn Ridley : snipped-for-privacy@chartermi.net

Hi, I have an old Singer model, 367! Honestly, I 've used various sizes that comes in the assorted packs, and didnt take care of remember the size, but in example this afternoon I was sewing a stretch lace trim on a lightweight flannel and skipped. Also, I'd like to try the Stretch needles but I dont know if they are compatible with my machine and if I can buy an other brand (like Organ). Thanks for replying :)

You can use any brand needle. Stretch needles would be better for that work. Also try the right or left needle positions or the straight stitch foot and needle plate. Your work may be flagging, that is the material is pulled slightly into the needle hole and then closes the thread loop causing a skipped stitch. You may end up just giving up as many older machines have some difficulty with stretchy materials.

Yeah, that's why she (the machine) hasnt the stretch stitch , she ignores modern materials. Now I have another problem, today I bought sharp 110 needles for jeans sewing and find out they dont fit in the machine, too big! I just can't insert them!!!! I can't work with denim neither ? Stupid 60's sewing machines!! :> ( I'm kidding, actually I like my sewing machine ) Do you think it's a brand matter?

You should be able to find Singer Jeans needles. I think they are close to a 90. It could be a brand thing, but I think it's also a model thing. Some Singer machines will tolerate other needles like Schmetz, etc. I know other folks will use other brands and their Singers like them fine. But, mine doesn't like anything other than Singer needles.

You can work with denim. And I've never needed above a 90 for denim. ;) 'Course if I ever find some that's tougher than that, I'll move right over to my Singer industrial. ;)

Sharon

Oh thank you, I find difficult to choose needles to buy in bulk, sharp or ballpoint, what size.... I know there are a lot of guides through the internet but it seems like it's variable from fabric to fabric ..

I'll look for sharp needles 90 and do the denim ;-)

I think you did something wrong. Needles are needles and the shanks are all the same dimension.

I really don't know, I tried with the 110 and then with the 80 of the same brand,and they fit in, I'll keeping trying tomorrow

In addition of the skipped stitches and holes with ballpoint, also sometimes the thread get caught in the throat plate stopping the machine so I have to cut and remove the thread pieces with the tweezer....Today I cleaned as I could into the throat plate with dust wipes tripes and vacuum cleaner, there was a lot of lint! I don't know, I use quality thread (Gutermann) ...maybe it's the fabric!

It's entirely possible you may have a burr in the needleplate or in the bobbin area that is catching thread. =20

-Irene

-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20

--Mae West=20

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Take the throat plate right off and give the whole bobbin case/feed dog area a good clean! Then oil where it should be oiled (or not, according to the manual), and check the needles hole in the stitch plate for burs. If a needle has hit the edge of the hole, you could have a rough spot that would hinder good sewing, and it will need to be smoothed over. Emery cloth is good for this.

Yes, I see some burs and scratches on the hole! Also I noticed the thread seems to not feed properly on the tension discs, it's like the spool on the top do the twist once in a while , it's not a continuos turnaround. hope to have explain it good! AH, I have a 1100 yard spool.

Turn the reel of thread over! It could be that the thread is catching on the split for saving it from unwinding! :)

:D :D :D Me idiot! I was just reading your web pages when I saw your reply :>