If your sewing machine is getting old you may start having more problems with it and this can be frustrating. To help you below are three of these problems, as well as tips on dealing with them. You can then get the issues taken care of, so you can start sewing again.

Problem with Needles

If you are having problems with broken or damaged needles this is dangerous for you. First, make sure your needle is in good condition. If you find problems with the needle, replacing it  may fix the problem. If replacing the needle does not help make sure the type of needle you are using works well with the type of fabric you are sewing. For example, if you normally sew a thin fabric, such as cotton, but are sewing a thicker fabric now, such as wool or jean material, your traditional needle will not work well. A worn-out needle will also develop a hook on the end of it which will catch on the fabric you are sewing.

If replacing the needle or using a different one does not help with this problem, then this is likely a mechanical issue with your sewing machine. In a case like this, you need to have the sewing machine repaired by a repair company.

Skips Stitches

If your sewing machine is skipping stitches the first thing to do is to check the needle. If the needle checks out okay there could be a problem with the threading. Re-thread both bottom and top threads of the sewing machine to see if this helps.

If none of this helps there is likely a problem with the timing on your sewing machine. This will require a professional repair person to repair for you.

Will Not Sew or Seizing Up

If your sewing machine will not sew or it seizes up, turn the hand wheel manually to give the machine a little help. If you need to force the hand wheel, however, or you continue to have this problem, stop turning the hand wheel. If you do not, this will cause more damage. One thing that can cause this is built up lint and fuzz in the sewing machine. In a case like this you need to clean the sewing machine thoroughly. Either have this done by a professional or follow cleaning tips in the user's manual for your sewing machine and do it yourself.

Talk with a sewing machine repair shop that works on the type of sewing machine you own. They can give you more details about the above information, as well as tell you about other problems you may encounter.