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Why Is My Sewing Machine Needle Hitting The Footplate? – Find Out Here!

The most common cause for your machine needle hitting your machine’s footplate is when the needle hits the footplate is when your needle is dull.

It is important to note that your needle will gradually become dull over time regardless of how much you sew.

While you may have been able to get away with a blunt needle occasionally in the past, your machine cannot.

Your needle must be sharp to sew through the layers of fabric, thread and batting you are working with.

It is not uncommon for a sewing machine needle to get caught on your sewing machine’s footplate, causing it to break or bend.

This often happens when the needle does not move freely through the machine’s throat plate. When this happens, the needle can get caught on the footplate, particularly if the needle is hitting the underside of the footplate.

Sewing Machine Needle Too Small

So you are sewing with your machine and you notice that the needle is hitting the footplate.  When this happens you will see a lot of problems.  

First you will see that the needle is hitting the footplate a lot.  You will also notice that you are breaking a lot of needles and you will be going through a lot of needles.  

So what is going on?  The needle is hitting the footplate because you are using the wrong size of needle.  You need to use a bigger needle to accommodate all the layers of fabric you are sewing.  

If you continue to use the same size needle you are going to continue to have problems.

If you have a singer sewing machine or any other brand of sewing machine, you know that sewing machine needle hitting the footplate will definitely create some problems.

So, what do you do when your sewing machine needle hits the footplate? Well, you could try to buy a longer needle or a bigger needle.

However, one of the most common reasons why most sewing machine needles hit the footplate is because the thread is too close to the needle, and sometimes the thread is touching the needle.

It’s important to make sure that your thread is not too close to your needle because if it is it will cause the needle to jump off the fabric in the machine and rest on the footplate.

Needle Not All the Way Inserted

When you are sewing, your machine may appear to have a problem. It may be making a loud thumping noise as you sew, or the feed dogs may be stopping periodically.

What is happening is that the needle is not going all the way into the fabric. The machine is actually pushing the fabric up and through the machine.

This causes the needle to hit the foot and when this happens, the needle may break because the tension is too tight or too loose.

The Needle Screw is Not Tight Enough

The needle screw is not tight enough is quite common problem which you may face while sewing. It is very simple to fix the machine, but if you have not repaired already, it can be a bit scary.  

The machine may make an awful machine noise and it does not advance your needle. It is not a good idea to force the machine in hopes of making it move.

It may result in harm to the machine. To prevent from such situation, you have to understand what the cause is and how to fix it.

Many sewing machine users have complained that their sewing needles keep hitting the underside of the footplate.

This situation is due to loose needle screw which is causing the threaded needle to tilt forward.

If too much thread is allowed to come out of the needle hole, it will hit the underside of the footplate when the machine is turned on.

Needle Strikes on the Hook

For those new to sewing machine needle hitting the footplate, it can be a bit of a mystery as to why it happens or what you can do about it.

The most common reason for a sewing machine needle to hit the footplate is because the needle is placed too low.

If you have ever had your sewing machine needle hit the footplate, you know how unsettling it feels. You want to stop, but you don’t want to stop. If you are like me, you don’t know what is going on.

There is a horrible noise coming from your sewing machine and your needle keeps hitting the plate.

This is a needle strike. Take a deep breath. It will be okay.

Needle Hits the Bobbin Case

As a beginner, it can be difficult to know which sewing machine needle and foot to use for a specific project.

There are many different kinds of needles alone, and some are made with specific materials. Some needles are best for woven fabrics, while others are best for knit fabrics.

Some needles are designed for topstitching, while others are designed for quilting. The list is endless.

The foot is also an important part of sewing. It determines how the fabric will be fed through the machine and is especially important if you are working with multiple layers.

Some feet have a guide that helps feed the fabric, while other feet do not. Each foot is designed for a different function, so knowing which to use is vital.

The Needle is Bent

The needle is bent is one of the biggest frustrations of sewing machine ownership, especially for those new to the hobby and those who have inherited a machine.

Sewing machines are a vital tool for anyone who likes to make their own clothing, but one of the most frustrating problems in this area can be the needle hitting the footplate and bending.

The needle will be bent in such a way that it can’t go through the fabric and this will cause you to have to stop sewing until you can get the needle replaced.

In Conclusion

This is the moment you have been dreading – your sewing machine has just hit the footplate, or the needle has fallen off the machine.  This is a nightmare for any seamstress or sewer, and can really ruin your day.

As a beginner sewist, it is frustrating when your needle strikes the machine’s footplate, especially because this usually results in a broken needle.  Luckily, it is an easy problem to fix!

Kirsten Carter

Kirsten Carter

Kirsten Carter is a freelance content writer who specialises in writing about travel, technology and health. When she's not traveling between her home of Tanzania and England, she writes for her blog Rightminded Travelling and features on a variety of different travel and technology sites.View Author posts

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