Why does my needle keep breaking?

The most common reasons an embroidery needle keeps breaking are the wrong needle, incorrect needle installation, loose or improperly hooped fabric, the needle hitting the hoop, or a dense embroidery design. Here’s how to fix each problem:

Wrong needle
Use a sharp embroidery needle that is the correct size for your fabric and thread. A needle that is too small, too large, or not designed for the material can break more easily.

Needle is installed incorrectly
Make sure the needle is pushed all the way into the needle clamp and installed in the correct direction for your machine. Tighten the needle screw securely.

Needle is bent or damaged
Replace the needle if it is bent, dull, or damaged. Even a slightly bent needle can hit the hoop or embroidery foot as the machine moves.

Hoop is not attached correctly
Make sure the embroidery hoop is securely attached to the machine. A loose or incorrectly attached hoop can move into the path of the needle.

Fabric is not stabilized properly
If the fabric moves or shifts while stitching, the needle can be pulled sideways and break. Use the appropriate stabilizer and make sure the fabric is securely hooped.

Needle is hitting the hoop or presser foot
Stop the machine immediately if you hear the needle hitting anything. Check that the correct hoop and presser foot are installed and that the design fits within the hoop's sewing area.

Design is too dense
Very dense embroidery can make it difficult for the needle to pass through the fabric and multiple layers of thread. Use the design at its recommended size and make sure it is appropriate for your fabric.

Thread or fabric is creating too much resistance
Heavy fabric, multiple layers, or thread that is catching can put additional stress on the needle. Check that the thread feeds smoothly and that your needle is appropriate for the project.

Best tip: If a needle breaks, stop the machine immediately, remove the broken needle, and check the hoop, needle position, thread path, and embroidery area before installing a new needle. Never continue stitching until you know what caused the break.

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