Barudan Embroidery Machine Skipped Stitches Troubleshooting Guide

1. Incorrect Needle Type or Size high likelihood

How to tell

Skipped stitches appear, particularly when changing fabric or thread types. The needle may struggle to penetrate the material or create a proper loop.

Fix

1. Consult your Barudan machine manual or thread/fabric manufacturer guidelines for the recommended needle type and size.
2. For thicker fabrics or larger threads, use a larger needle (e.g., 90/14). For finer fabrics, use a smaller needle (e.g., 75/11).
3. Ensure you are using embroidery-specific needles. Sharp-point needles are for woven fabrics, while ballpoint needles are for knits and stretchy materials.

Parts involved: Needles & needle bars → Threads & supplies →

2. Bent or Dull Needle high likelihood

How to tell

Skipped stitches occur randomly or consistently. Visually inspect the needle for a bent shaft, a dull point, or burrs on the eye or shaft.

Fix

1. Turn off the machine.
2. Loosen the needle clamp screw and remove the old needle.
3. Insert a new, correct needle, ensuring the scarf is facing the hook and it is pushed up as far as it will go into the needle bar.
4. Tighten the needle clamp screw securely.

Parts involved: Needles & needle bars →

3. Improper Threading high likelihood

How to tell

Skipped stitches appear, often accompanied by thread breaks or shredding. The thread may not be seated correctly in the tension disks, or it may be snagged in the thread path.

Fix

1. Turn off the machine.
2. Completely remove the upper thread.
3. Re-thread the machine carefully, following the exact path indicated in your Barudan machine manual.
4. Ensure the thread passes through all guides, the take-up lever, and is properly seated between the tension disks.
5. Check that the thread is not twisted, caught, or tangled at any point.

Parts involved: Thread path & tension →

4. Improper Thread Tension high likelihood

How to tell

Skipped stitches, especially when the bobbin thread is visible on top (upper tension too loose) or the upper thread breaks frequently (upper tension too tight). The stitch quality will appear unbalanced.

Fix

1. Check both upper and bobbin thread tension.
2. For upper tension, adjust the tension dial on the head. Turn clockwise to increase tension, counter-clockwise to decrease.
3. For bobbin tension, remove the bobbin case and check the tension spring. Adjust the small screw on the bobbin case in small increments (1/8 turn) to increase or decrease tension. Refer to your Barudan manual for specific bobbin tension test methods (e.g., drop test).
4. Test on scrap fabric until stitches appear balanced, with the bobbin thread showing only a small dot on the underside of the fabric.

Parts involved: Thread path & tension → Rotary hooks & bobbin cases →

5. Damaged Bobbin Case or Bobbin Thread Issues medium likelihood

How to tell

Skipped stitches, often accompanied by inconsistent bobbin thread delivery or thread breaks from the bobbin. Inspect the bobbin case for burrs, nicks, or deformation. The bobbin may be wound unevenly.

Fix

1. Remove the bobbin case and inspect it thoroughly for any nicks, burrs, or damage, especially around the thread exit points. Replace if damaged.
2. Ensure the bobbin is wound evenly and smoothly. If uneven, rewind the bobbin.
3. Verify the bobbin is inserted correctly into the bobbin case and the thread is routed properly through the tension spring.

Refer to assembly section 01A Head Bed A or 01B Head Bed B for bobbin case components.

Parts involved: Rotary hooks & bobbin cases → Threads & supplies →

6. Inadequate Fabric Stabilization medium likelihood

How to tell

Skipped stitches occur, particularly on delicate, stretchy, or slippery fabrics. The fabric may visibly pucker, shift, or move within the hoop during stitching.

Fix

1. Select the appropriate stabilizer for your fabric type and design density. Use cutaway or fusible stabilizers for stretchy/delicate materials.
2. Ensure the fabric is hooped correctly, taut but not stretched, and secured firmly in the hoop.
3. Consider using temporary adhesive spray or additional basting stitches for extra security on challenging fabrics.

Parts involved: Hoops & frames → Threads & supplies →

7. Dirty or Worn Machine Parts medium likelihood

How to tell

Skipped stitches, thread breaks, or general poor stitch quality. Visible lint, dust, or thread fragments accumulate around the bobbin area, needle plate, tension disks, or under the head. Parts may show signs of wear (e.g., grooves, rough edges).

Fix

1. Turn off the machine and unplug it.
2. Using a small brush, vacuum, or compressed air, thoroughly clean the bobbin case area, rotary hook, needle plate, and thread tension disks.
3. Inspect the needle plate hole for burrs or damage. If present, replace the needle plate.
4. Regularly lubricate the machine according to your Barudan manual's specifications.
5. Inspect thread guides and other thread path components for wear or damage; replace if necessary.

Refer to assembly sections 01A Head Bed A, 01B Head Bed B, 06-1 Thread guide (Z12), or 06 Thread guide for relevant components.

Parts involved: Lubrication & maintenance → Rotary hooks & bobbin cases → Thread path & tension → Presser feet & sewing parts → Screws, springs & small parts →

8. Incorrect Speed Settings low likelihood

How to tell

Skipped stitches occur primarily at high machine speeds, especially with intricate designs, delicate fabrics, or specialty threads. Stitch quality degrades significantly when the machine runs fast.

Fix

1. Reduce the machine's operating speed, particularly for dense designs, delicate fabrics, or when using specialty threads.
2. Test different speed settings on scrap material to find the optimal balance between production speed and stitch quality.

9. Needle Timing Issues low likelihood

How to tell

Consistent skipped stitches despite all other checks being performed. The needle and rotary hook may not be synchronized, failing to form a proper loop. This often requires precise measurement and adjustment.

Fix

1. Turn off the machine.
2. Consult your Barudan machine service manual for the specific timing adjustment procedure for your model. This typically involves adjusting the rotary hook position relative to the needle at its lowest point.
3. If you are not experienced with precise mechanical adjustments, contact a certified Barudan technician. Incorrect timing adjustments can cause further damage.

Refer to assembly sections 01A Head Bed A, 01B Head Bed B, 04A-1 Needle bar A(Z12), 04B Needle bar B, or 08 Drive for relevant components.

Parts involved: Rotary hooks & bobbin cases → Needles & needle bars → Head & mechanical parts → Belts, pulleys & gears →