Why does my embroidery make holes in the fabric?

The most common reasons embroidery makes holes in the fabric are using the wrong needle, stitching too densely, excessive needle penetration, fabric that is too delicate, or repeated stitching in the same area.

Needle is too large
A needle that is too large for the fabric can leave visible holes, especially in lightweight or delicate materials. Use a smaller embroidery needle appropriate for the fabric and thread.

Needle is damaged
A bent, dull, or damaged needle can punch through the fabric incorrectly and enlarge existing holes. Replace the needle with a fresh one if it has been used for a long time or has hit the hoop.

Fabric is too delicate
Very lightweight or loosely woven fabrics are more susceptible to needle damage. Use proper stabilization and choose a design that is appropriate for the material.

Design is too dense
A design with too many stitches in a small area can repeatedly puncture the same part of the fabric. This can weaken the material and eventually create holes.

Too many stitches are being placed in the same area
Repeated needle penetrations, especially when a design has overlapping or very dense stitching, can damage the fabric. If holes appear in the exact same area of the design every time, the stitch density may be too high.

Stabilizer is not providing enough support
Proper stabilization helps the fabric remain stable while the needle penetrates it. Without enough support, the fabric can move and become damaged during stitching.

Have another question? See all the answers in our machine embroidery designs FAQ.

Needle is hitting the hoop
If the needle hits the hoop, it can bend or become damaged and may subsequently punch the fabric incorrectly. Stop the machine immediately if you hear or feel the needle hitting the hoop.

Fabric is being stretched in the hoop
Stretching delicate fabric too tightly while hooping can weaken the fibers. When the fabric relaxes after embroidery, small holes may become more noticeable.

Best tip: If embroidery is making holes, start with a fresh, smaller embroidery needle and check that the fabric has enough stabilization. If the holes appear repeatedly in the same area, check the design density before stitching it again.

Source of information: With over 200,000 customers and a private Facebook group with more than 2,000 members, we have heard just about every embroidery question and troubleshooting problem you can imagine. This question has come to us directly from customers by email, through our Facebook page, and in our private Facebook group.