Since a sewing machine is a machine, it needs to be properly maintained and calibrated. When taken care of properly, your machine will run smoothly with no issues. If the machine isn’t taken care of properly, you might start running into issues with the machine.
One of the most common issues you might run into with your sewing machine is the needle hitting the needle plate. This can result in bending or breaking your needle, which is a very frustrating problem.
So, why is your sewing machine needle hitting the plate? There are three main reasons why your needle is hitting the needle plate. The first is that the presser foot and chosen stitch aren’t compatible with each other. Next, you might be using a needle that is already bent or broken. Third, your needle plate might not be properly installed.
How Do You Realign a Sewing Machine Needle?
If your sewing machine needle is even the tiniest bit out of place, you will experience issues with how the stitch forms and how tight the stitch will be. It is extremely important for the needle to be positioned directly in the center of the needle plate. There may come a time that you need to realign the needle so it sits in the right position.
To ensure that you are realigning the needle properly, check the manual of the sewing machine before starting. Not all sewing machines are the same, so it is best to know what your specific machine needs for realignment.
Most sewing machines let you adjust the position of the needle. This means it is easy for the needle to be bumped out of place accidentally. It might also need to be realigned for different stitches. If the needle isn’t properly aligned, you will quickly be able to tell in your stitching.
The most common problem that you will need to realign your needle is because it wasn’t installed properly the first time. When realigning your machine needle, you will need to be extremely careful that you are doing so properly to prevent needing to align again in the near future.
Before you start trying to realign the needle, check for any potential problems first. Make sure the needle isn’t bent, that it was inserted properly, and that the fabric is compatible with the needle and fabric you’re using.
You will first need to set the height of the needle bar. You can do this by tracing the needle up the bar visually until the bar passes through the head hold, and keep going up until you see the clamp with screws. This is what is called the adjusting screw.
Take the hand wheel and rotate it toward you until the needle is as low as it will go. It shouldn’t touch anything in this position. Rotate a tiny bit more until the hook is ready to be passed behind the needle. The hook needs to pass behind the needle and above the eye.
Next, you are going to need to set the machine to default needle position. Some machines will automatically default to the center position, and some will need extra help to get there. To be in the center, the needle should enter the needle plate exactly in the center of the needle hole.
How Do You Fix a Needle Plate?
To fix a needle plate, you will first need to remove it from the needle plate from the sewing machine. First, raise the needle by pressing the button for needle position twice. This will ensure that the needle doesn’t get in your way or poke you while you are working.
Turn the sewing machine off and unplug the cord from the power supply. This will make sure that you don’t bump the power button and turn it on while you are working. Next, raise the presser foot and remove the needle, presser foot, and holder.
After those parts are removed and placed somewhere safe, remove the flat bed. If there is an embroidery attachment, make sure you remove that as well. You will then need to remove the bobbin cover.
Place a finger from your right hand close to the bottom of the needle plate latch and use a finger from your left hand to find the notch at the back of the needle plate. Finally, place your left thumb near the front of the needle plate. Remove it by sliding it toward you.
After you have the plate removed, you can repair it. Luckily, fixing your needle plate will be pretty simple. In most cases, all you will need is some sturdy glue. Glue the broken pieces of the needle plate together and let them dry together.
If you need to replace the entire plate, I recommend this universal plate. If you have a Brother Sewing Machine, you can use this one here.
If you don’t feel comfortable fixing the needle plate by yourself, you can try to find a repair service near you or try sending it to the manufacturer to be repaired. This way, you will able to be sure that your needle plate is properly repaired with a lower chance of breaking again in the future.
Why Does My Sewing Machine Needle Keep Hitting the Foot?
There are three main reasons that your sewing machine needle keeps hitting the foot of your sewing machine. First, the presser foot and stitch you choose might be incompatible. In order to resolve this issue, you will need to attach the proper presser foot for the stitch you are trying to create. It might also be beneficial to adjust the width of the stitch.
To check if the issue has been resolved, turn the hand wheel in a counterclockwise motion. Then, check to make sure the needle doesn’t touch the presser foot.
Next, you might be using a broken or bent needle. If this is the first time you are noticing the needle hitting the plate, the very first thing you should do is check the needle. If your needle is broken or bent, replace it before you start sewing again.
Finally, your needle might not be installed properly. Before you begin sewing, you should always check to make sure all of the parts are installed properly. Any loose pieces, especially the needle, can lead to faults in your machine.
In addition to making sure the needle is installed properly, you also need to make sure you are using the right needle for the fabric and stitch type, width, and length. Start a habit of checking all of the parts of your sewing machine before you start sewing.
Regular inspection will help you make sure you are using the right needle and give you the opportunity to prevent the needle from hitting the foot.
Final Thoughts
There are a few reasons your sewing machine needle is hitting the needle plate. The needle could be installed incorrectly, the needle can be broken, or you could be using the wrong presser foot for the stitch you are trying to achieve. To prevent your needle from hitting, you should perform an inspection of your sewing machine.
A needle hitting the plate can be incredibly frustrating. Luckily, the fix is pretty easy. In most cases, you can switch out the needle or raise the needle and the problem will be solved. In more serious cases, you might need to completely replace the needle plate.
Make sure to follow my tips and recommend products to ensure your sewing project turns out amazing! Also, don’t forget to check out my other articles for all your sewing Q&A’s. Happy sewing!