5 broken needles later....

[Impressions Embroidered Apparel]

I don't get it. I am trying to sew a very simple design on a hat, and the needle breaks every time I start. It can't go the first five stitches without a needle break. Is it my design? Is it my needle setup? Is it my machine? My cover plate? It's probably operator error. Any suggestions are welcomed. I can email the design if that will help.

[Mike Garber]

What kind if cap? I've had that happen on structured hats with too long of stitch lengths in the design.

Its also happened if the needle plate is not centered.

Mike

[HERB]

Sounds like needle deflection. As the needle/presser foot come down the foot is hitting first and pulling the cap as the needle goes through, causing the needle to deflect and miss the hole. It could be hooping issues or trying to sew too close to the brim. After that many needle breaks you do want to check very closely for damage to the needle plate and hook.

[Impressions Embroidered Apparel]

It's a structured hat. It's khaki, but I don't think you care too much about that. [img]smile.gif[/img]

[Impressions Embroidered Apparel]

I'll check my plate and hook. Thanks!

[Mike Garber]

Khaki huh....maybe try a black one....

[Juli in Kona]

Have you set your presser foot up to the 3rd notch? Assuming you have an XT. Is it sewing right on a seam? Taking a steam iron to the seams in a hat will soften it and it runs easier.

Juli in Kona

[Juli in Kona]

Have you set your presser foot up to the 3rd notch? Assuming you have an XT. Is it sewing right on a seam? Taking a steam iron to the seams in a hat will soften it and it runs easier.

Juli in Kona

[Impressions Embroidered Apparel]

I'll try the steam. Thanks. I'll try the black hat too...you never know!

Ok, this has been bugging me forever: Why do people say to make sure the cover plate is set properly? My instructor has told me that, techs have told me that, and some of you talk about checking that. IT DOESN'T MOVE!! I don't get it. It might move a smidge (yes, that's the technical term), but when you screw it back into place, it goes right back to where it wants to fit. I'm I missing something? Thanks for listening. I feel better now.

[Sewfly]

Steve,

If your Amaya is not an XT, then to sew hats, usually the needle plate is changed to a raised needle plate (may have it backwards). Centering the needle plate is necessary. When I had my pre-XT machines, I could tighten my plates down WHERE I positioned them.

Susan
Sewfly Embroidery

[Impressions Embroidered Apparel]

Well, here's where I stand now. I had to switch hats bc I made a whole in the original khaki. I put in a green, as I have many extras of those. No kidding, honest to truth...it sewed from start to finish perfectly! No other adjustments were made. I got out the khaki, obviously pushing my luck. Needle break. I discovered that although the green and khaki looked alike, they were actually different. My customer is not picky on the style of hat - just that it's a khaki baseball cap, so I pulled out a khaki of the second style. Sewed perfectly! I don't know what the deal is with the first hat style. I'll get the specs on it and post. Maybe one of you can figure it out.