Whether you are free-motion quilting or making a buttonhole, the issue of FLAGGING is a common problem, but many of us do not know what it is. Watch this short video and find out why your machine may be giving you skipped stitches.
Your video was the best example of flagging I ever saw. I never thought about it happening with vinyl but when I looked at it stitching, it was flagging. Thank you!
I could almost cry right now because this is the information I've needed for so long!! I've had so much frustration over skipped stitches while free motion quilting. I've gone through so much troubleshooting without success and I believe this is the answer for me. Thank you soooo much!
Thanks for explaining about the 1475 CD. I was having trouble getting a stitch that didn’t skip . I tried all I could think of and had considered a new machine. After listening to you, I adjusted the needle and it’s sewing great again. Thanks so much ‘
one of the best descriptive videos i've seen. Really breaks down the "physics" behind the stitching. Understanding the mechanics helps me to know how to apply a fix. Thanks.
This was an amazing explanation and demonstration! This information is so critical to getting a quality stitch, and yet I do not ever remember hearing about WHY the thread and needle size are so vital to quality stitches. Thank you so very much for this video!!!
This is exactly what I've been trying to find, what a brilliant explanation, I almost lost the will to live because of this problem. Now I can't wait to get back to the machine and restart by fmq adventure. Thank you so much.
new to free motion quilting, I checked everything that is mentioned in the video and what changed it for me was using a quality thread!! (went from cheap coton thread to quality polyester thread...I still need to try quality coton thread like aurifil...)
Brilliant help from a mechanic rather than a sewer and yes the wooden needle was brilliant. I agree we don't give enough thought to the basics because once we have successfully sewn something, what can it possibly be? It's not me. This is the sort of simple well directed advice we need. Just a side comment: I do wish you weren't called Uncle Creepy, frankly it's a bit creepy.
Wow, I've watched ton of videos about this problem and this is the first that was truly helpful. I'm glad I didn't start messing with things I know nothing about, when it was most likely my lack of practice. Thanks
Thank you so much for this explanation. I've been baffled (and frustrated!) as to why stitches were skipping. I'm new to long arm so after this video I realized my hopping foot wasn't holding fabric down firmly enough. Thanks again!
You helped me save my 7570 Nancy Zeiman machine! I thought the motherboard died, but it just needed fresh batteries. I forgot all about batteries as my dealer used to change them out. Thank you so much for videos.
Uncle creepy, this is by far the best explanation I have seen on the issue of missed stitches, I had that problem in the morning and I was changing needles, treading the machine several times, changing bobbins and cleaning, nothing helped so I turned to y-tube and saw many videos about the problem, and it was all about changing bobbins and needles to the timing is of and the machine is unrepairable,then I saw your video about the physics of the fabrics, so I changed the presserfoot and the machine is working like new again. Thanks for sharing.
“They really want it to be the machine, for the alternative is, they’ve to better themselves and that isn’t easy to do” Very wise words. I’m at that point now: lots of birdnests, bobbin clunking, top thread fraying during Free Motion Quilting and I’ve no idea why or what’s going on since I’m just starting, have no one I can ask for advice and thought it’d be pretty straightforward... but it’s not and I can’t barely stitch one inch without some issue popping up, let alone this cute bear shapes I’m trying to stitch. Very frustrating and disheartening. The machine sews beautifully while in the regular settings, so I was aware it was either me or some tension issue... Haha, but I’m guessing it’s really just me. Better than having to send the machine in for repair, I guess =D Thank you for such a great explanation, Uncle Creepy. I almost didn’t watch your video because of the name, but it was precious and will now try your tips to see if it solves or at least helps with my problem. Thank you again! EDIT Alas, it didn’t work. The line got stuck in the bobbin holder again... I think the upper line isn’t looping properly, like it gets stuck a bit somewhere while looping, then after 3 or 4 turns it’s completely knotted and stuck around the bobbin holder, and I’ve to remove the plate, cut the thread; it has happened 4 times now. Went back to regular sewing and the tension settings were all over the place! Seems to now be more noisier than usual when the upper thread loops around the bobbin case/ holder, but at least now is sewing T____T I wonder if I’m ruining my machine.... Sorry for venting here on your channel!
Thank you Uncle Creepy, for explaining Flagging! I'd never heard the term before. I've adjusted tensions, changed needles, thread, both needle and thread combos and and even took my machine to be serviced. All the information I've found states that the machine just doesn't like the direction (backwards, sideways) of the free motion quilting. which may be true, however, how does one free motion quilt if the machine doesn't like the backward movement of fabric. I went back and tested my FMQ foot, and found it was too high, therefore not keeping the fabric taught. Thank you for your video and especially for the demonstration with the fabric and large needle prop! Loved it!
This video is so incredibly helpful, thank you so very much! I have been sewing seriously for just about a year, so still learning, and this was exactly the information I needed. He gives a full and understandable explanation of some of what might be considered the basics of using a sewing machine, but which I had never heard before, and which made it so much easier to understand what is going on. I had been feeling very defeated after numerous attempts to correct my thread breaking problem when I finally came across this video that explained my problem and the (simple) way to fix. It's re-energized my attitude toward sewing, and I'm so grateful! Five stars plus!!
Definitely explains why I have perfect stitches on cotton and none on my knits. Though my old machine stitched my knit perfectly. Now to compare what is different between my old machine presser foot and needle etc. Thanks for giving me a place to start!
Wow. After viewing a dozen videos and changing so many needles and cleaning everything, finally I have a solution. Thank you so much. Love the explanation. So helpful to know what is going on. No wonder i was having problems free-motion sewing my quilt around the borders. All was fine for the center and all of a sudden I kept skipping stitches going around the border. Well, my fabric was not as stable at the borders, so close to the edge. It was not my machine. I just needed to practice holding and stabilizing the fabric better. You saved me a trip to the repair shop. Thanks so much.
Thanks for providing the Theory behind the needle design and function. Your video helped steer the direction of our troubleshooting. In laws had bought a new Singer machine to replace their Elna (awesome machine) due to skipping stitches, but can now take it back. Needle was in backwards on their Elna. Everyone thought must it be a serious problem. Army taught us to use the KISS theory. Start with the obvious, or easiest, and go from there. My wife gets most of the credit on this fix though... The red dot, on the needle, was a pretty good give away, and I didn't have a clue what that was there for when I was checking the needle out. Thanks Again.
NOW IT MAKES SENSE!!! and yes it is my machine, I've got the wrong presser foot and needle plate on, for my current task. Thank you sir !!! Feel free to buy yourself a beer in your honor on my behalf, and wile your at it you can get me one too. 😂
A really good informational video. I began using my sewing machine again after a 15 year hiatus. It is 38 years old ! It was skipping stitches most notably on some knit fabrics and I thought oh no my machine is too old now and not working right. However you have given me more to think about and perhaps it may be due more to the lack of pressure to keep the fabric tight by the needle. I found that using a walking foot was most helpful to reduce those problems (but that is not the foot for free motion or embroidery work). Thank you for time and expertise!
Your wooden needle is absolutely brilliant, along with your excellent explanning and teaching ,I been sewing for nearly 50 years and always wondered how the bobbin thread and top cotton links together, when you explained how when the needle goes up, the material helps to loosen the thread around the needle, so then making it easier for hook to grab the cotton 😮 bingo it all made sense. Thank you for the subtitles so that I could learn along with brilliant visual teaching aid of super size needle. Do you sell these huge wooden needles because I would love to have one. Yours is definitely the best explanation. You deserve an award . Reminds me of Jack Hargreaves watching you. Look forward to seeing more of your videos. 🎖🏆🏅🥇
Well Uncle Creepy sir, that was a very fine explanation of the problem i am currently having! I was ready to call my n Babylock dealer and give him a piece of my mind, however, I did have the presence of mind to do just what you told your audience.....to straight stitch and zig zag and i worked perfectly. You have confirmed that it isnt my machine at all but my fairly newness to free motion quilting! Thank you so much for this video!!! I wish you could five my sewing machine guy some tips on explaining problems to their customers rather than taking in the machine and charging for service knowing very well what the problem really is! You are a very mice fellow to enlighten all of is sewers out there. Would appreciate any video you put out for the consumers!🤗
I just happened along this video: I wish I could show it to every one of my customers who telephone our store and say they have a problem with skipped stitches.
Thank you so much. I need to try changing the foot, something I never think of. I'm working on some very thick ponte fabric which is very smooth, almost slippery. I've seen the stitches carry a loop of thread up in front of the needle so I think you've solved my problem.
THANK YOU so very much for explaining this!! I have trouble on one machine but not the other (exact same thread, exact same needle), so I was thinking it was the machine....but it is not and now I know what to do: I think the single hole needle plate will solve a bunch of problems. Oh, and more stabilizer =) Thank you, thank you!!
i am so glad i found this video as you seem like the person to ask. the meatailbar that holds the presure foot on. leg/shank. will move from left to right when not in use if i touch it on either side. should this be happening ?
thanks you i just have this problem right now, tha machine mechanic says my fabric its yoo thick but i told him its no my first tome sewing this so i dont inow how the machine stop working
I don't know seeing as I am not a seamstress or a tailor. But my idea is to try and stiffen the material by adding starch or dipping the material in a water and sugar solution so that when it dries the material be a little more stiff and after the work is done you can wash out the solution. This is just a thought, I never tried it, but remember my mom making some table center decorations when I was a kid, using this method.... I certainly hope it works for you.... I believe my theory but never used it.
I need some advise. My sewing machine was working fine but would not zigzag. I took it to a repair service for a cleaning and fix. I told the guy it was a Viking older model and he said he knew how to fix it. He said a tension screw was missing and didn't see how it sewed. Well it did, I did lots of sewing the day before. Then he said he had to replace a cracked cam. He did that by watching a RU-vid video. Well he can't fix the zigzag and says some of the other stitches aren't working as good as they could. There was nothing wrong with it except the zigzag! What do I do when I go pick it up? I am worried he actually caused more harm.
Thank you. I assume this is the same if you are not free motion but quilting with robotics( electronic s) I will try to see if this is my problem before I take my machine off the frame and robotics and to the shop to have timing checked
I am an fairly experienced free motion quilter and have, in the past quilted nicely on my Juki sewing machine. However recently, it has started doing what you discribe-skipping multiple stitches-I can actually see the little empty loop come up thru the fabric as the needle returns back up thru the fabric. It is so frustrating . ALSO, it does it not only on free motion but also when it is sewing multiple or thick layers, I've tried using my walking foot thinking that might help but it doesnt-I am at my wits end. It sews 2 single layers perfectly. Do you have any further advice?
My machine zigzag works but it seems the needle is striking the fabric in the middle and the pressure foot then moves to left or right causing the material to move causing a straight stitch...what do u suggest I check? Needle bar maybe?..
Could you tell me how to do free motion embroidery on this machine as I find once the pressure foot is lowered I can’t move the fabric around. I’ve lowered feed dogs and taken foot off.
I have a sears kenmore 158.12000 serial no. I just bought it ,,,its not picking up the bobbin thread ,and when i do get it up on top when i sew a piece of cloth by itself and no sticking at all ,,just a bunch of holes,,,can i get your honest opinion on it??????????
Budget Juki - Free We were given by a friend a JUKI DDL-8700-7 Comes with a computer that is said not to be working (JUKI CP-160) When the power switch to the machine is turned on the CP-160 turns on and everything seems to look ok. But when I push on the pedal nothing runs. It does not show any error display or code to work with. With your experience, I was hoping for any advice as to where or what I should try?
My sewing Machine sews wovens perfectly but will not Make One stitch at all on knit fabric. I put on a ballpoint needle, used wax paper under the knit fabric. Nothing. Increased my tension. Absolutely no stitches. Help!’
So by your logic my pfaff 418 zig zag isn't hitting the far right side zig zag stitch. Totally isn't the bobbin timing because it runs a straight stitch fine.
start by putting in a new needle. A machine can be out of time and still make a straight stitch, if out of time, it can skip on the zigzag, but usually on the left instead of the right.
Hey uncle, I just got an idea from your video exaggerating the flagging problem with thin and delicate fabric. From what you show in your demonstration, it would be a good idea to stiffen the material so it doesn't come up with the needle as it stitches. As I was watching I was thinking of a solution . But the pro embossers put a material on the backside of the finished product but I imagine some people want something that looks more delicate without the material behind . So I was thinking what if you add some kind of a stiffener like starch as was added to hold shirt collars stiff and obviously would wash out after the laundry. I ask you , wouldn't thish solve the flagging problem? I apologize if I sound like a know it all, but I was just thinking. I have a question , is the loop formed on the side of the scarf or the opposite side and where does the scarf face the front with the hook behind the needle. After watching a few videos and realizing that the hooking can be in front or on the rear of the needle, it leaves me a little befuddled.
