Using a universal pleating foot, starts out fine then I break a needle, 5 so far. It hist the pressure plate. Using a straight stitch, needle is centered. Bobbin is treaded correctly. Needle is straight at the beginning. Any suggestions?

Check to be sure you are using needles and thread that are compatible with the fabric. Generally, finer threads will work better on fine fabrics along with a smaller needle. Be sure to change needles frequently as dull, bent, or nicked needles will cause very frustrating issues.
All About Needles

Remove the thread completely from the machine. RAISE the presser foot and rethread from the beginning, making sure the thread path is correct.

Some machines have a presser foot pressure adjustment (consult the owner's manual). Adjusting the pressure that the presser foot applies to the fabric & feed dogs is helpful when sewing especially fine or heavy fabric. Also, when sewing fine fabrics, loosening the tension could be beneficial.

Changing presser feet may also help, ie try using a straight stitch foot vs a presser foot for zig-zag stitching.

Something else you can try is finding a presser foot with a teflon finish or a roller foot that will glide or roll with the fabric through the machine. Even if you can't find a brand name presser foot for your particular machine, an adapter shank can probably be found that would allow you to use snap-on feet of all different designs and uses. Provides a lot of choices for presser feet for less than purchasing a brand-name presser foot. There are snap-on kits available on eBay and other auction sites.

Some machines also can take a straight-stitch needle plate--usually an additional accessory that can be purchased. The hole where the needle penetrates the needle plate to access the bobbin thread is actually a small round hole. With a zig-zag needle plate, the hole the needle penetrates is a wide rectangular hole that can allow fine fabrics to be pulled down through the hole. Zig-zag capable machines usually have a zig-zag needle plate as standard.

...

This machine, when you have it on straight stitch, will sew with the needle to the left. If it's hitting the pressure foot, you may have the wrong pressure foot on the machine. If it's hitting the needle plate when you have the pressure foot removed, it's possible you have set for zig zag and you have a straight stitch needle plate on the machine. I believe this machine came with 2 needle plates. One for straight stitch, and another for zig zag.

Hello,
Here are a few things to try.

* Raise your feed dogs if your machine has this feature.

* When you start to sew a seam, hold the upper and bobbin thread tails. Hold them back and out of the way as you sew your first couple of stitches. This will keep them from getting caught in your machine.

* Your fabric may require a different needle. Generally, heavier fabrics require larger needles and thinner fabrics, smaller needles. You may also need a larger needle if you're sewing through many layers of fabric. And make sure to use a ballpoint needle for knit fabrics and a sharp needle for woven (or a universal needle for either). And make sure your needle is appropriate for the type of thread you're using.

* Adjust the pressure of your pressure foot, it may be too light for your fabric.

* If your upper thread and bobbin threads are different types, try using the same thread for both. And use a good quality, brand name thread.

* Change your needle plate. Try switching to a needle plate with a smaller hole (a straight stitch needle plate).

Important Note: If you change your needle plate, check to make sure your needle aligns perfectly with this smaller hole before starting to sew. A misaligned needle could hit the plate and break, which could be dangerous. And make sure to change your needle plate back for zigzag and other wide stitches.

I hope this helps.

Hello,
Here are a few things to check. You may have checked some of these already but it may be worth checking again.


* When you insert your new needle, make sure it’s positioned correctly (usually with the flat side away from the bobbin, but check your manual), make sure that it goes all the way into the holder, and that the screw is securely tightened.

If there doesn’t seem to be a problem with your needle, try the following:

* Check your pressure foot
Make sure it’s attached securely.

* Change your pressure foot
Your pressure foot may be bent, causing your needle to hit it.

* Don’t sew over pins
A needle that hits a pin can break. Always remove the pins from your fabric before they reach your needle.

* Don’t pull your fabric as you sew
You could be bending your needle back, causing it to hit your needle plate instead of going into the hole. Just guide your fabric, letting it feed on its own.

* Check your needle plate
Make sure it's securely in position.

* Change your needle plate
If you’ve been using a straight stitch needle plate (a plate with a small hole, often used for sewing fine, delicate fabrics, switch to a needle plate with a wider hole.

* Check the position of your needle
Sewing machines with zigzag capability allow you to adjust the position of your needle – right,left, or center. If your needle is not positioned correctly, it may be hitting your needle plate or pressure foot.

I hope this helps.

Hello,
Here are a few things to try.

* Raise your feed dogs if your machine has this feature.

* When you start to sew a seam, hold the upper and bobbin thread tails. Hold them back and out of the way as you sew your first couple of stitches. This will keep them from getting caught in your machine.



* Your fabric may require a different needle. Generally, heavier fabrics require larger needles and thinner fabrics, smaller needles. You may also need a larger needle if you’re sewing through many layers of fabric. And make sure to use a ballpoint needle for knit fabrics and a sharp needle for woven (or a universal needle for either). And make sure your needle is appropriate for the type of thread you’re using.


* Adjust the pressure of your pressure foot, it may be too light for your fabric.


* If your upper thread and bobbin threads are different types, try using the same thread for both. And use a good quality, brand name thread.



* Change your needle plate. Try switching to a needle plate with a smaller hole (a straight stitch needle plate).


Important Note: If you change your needle plate, check to make sure your needle aligns perfectly with this smaller hole before starting to sew. A misaligned needle could hit the plate and break, which could be dangerous. And make sure to change your needle plate back for zigzag and other wide stitches.

Hope this helps.

Hello,
Here are some solutions to try.

* When you insert your new needle, make sure it’s positioned correctly (usually with the flat side away from the bobbin, but consult your manual), that it goes all the way into the holder, and that the screw is securely tightened.


If there doesn’t seem to be a problem with your needle, try the following:

* Check your pressure foot and make sure it’s attached securely.


* Change your pressure foot Your pressure foot may be bent, causing your needle to hit it.


* Don’t sew over pins a needle that hits a pin can break. Always remove the pins from your fabric before they reach your needle.


* Don’t pull your fabric as you sew. You could be bending your needle back, causing it to hit your needle plate instead of going into the hole. Just guide your fabric, letting it feed on its own.


* Check your needle plate and make sure it's securely in position.


* Change your needle plate. If you’ve been using a straight stitch needle plate (a plate with a small hole, often used for sewing fine, delicate fabrics), switch to a needle plate with a wider hole.


* Check the position of your needle. Sewing machines with zigzag capability allow you to adjust the position of your needle – right, left, or center. If your needle is not positioned correctly, it may be hitting your needle plate or pressure foot.

Hope this helps.

Hello,
Try these solutions.

* Re-thread your needle
It may be threaded incorrectly (backwards).

* Reinsert your needle
Make sure it goes all the way into the holder and that it’s positioned correctly – usually with the
flat side away from the bobbin, but consult your machine’s manual to be sure.

*Change your needle
Your needle may be blunt, bent, or otherwise damaged.

*Your fabric may require a different needle. Generally, heavier fabrics require larger needles and
thinner fabrics, smaller needles. You may also need a larger needle if
you’re sewing through many layers of fabric. And make sure to use a ballpoint needle for knit fabrics and a sharp needle for wovens (or a universal needle for either).
And make sure your needle is appropriate for the type of thread you’re using.

* Adjust the pressure of your pressure foot
It may be too light for your fabric.

* Change your thread
If your upper thread and bobbin threads are different types, try using the same thread for
both. And use a good quality, brand name thread.

* Adjust your thread tension
It may be too tight or too loose.

* Re-thread your machine
It may be threaded incorrectly.

* Change your needle plate
Try switching to a needle plate with a smaller hole (a straight stitch needle plate).

Important: If you change your needle plate, check to make sure your needle aligns perfectly with
this smaller hole before starting to sew. A misaligned needle could hit the plate and break, which
could be dangerous. And make sure to change your needle plate back for zigzag and other wide
stitches.
I hope this helps you.

Hello,
Here are a few things to try.

* When you insert anew needle, make sure it’s positioned correctly. Usually with the flat side
away from the bobbin, but consult your manual. Make sure that it goes all the way into the holder, and that the screw is securely tightened.


If there doesn’t seem to be a problem with your needle, try the following:

* Check your pressure foot
Make sure it’s attached securely.

* Change your pressure foot
Your pressure foot may be bent, causing your needle to hit it.

* Don’t sew over pins
A needle that hits a pin can break. Always remove the pins from your fabric before they reach
your needle.

* Don’t pull your fabric as you sew
You could be bending your needle back, causing it to hit your needle plate instead of going into
the hole. Just guide your fabric, letting it feed on its own.

* Check your needle plate
Make sure it's securely in position.

* Change your needle plate
If you’ve been using a straight stitch needle plate (a plate with a small hole, often used for
sewing fine, delicate fabrics), switch to a needle plate with a wider hole.

* Check the position of your needle
Sewing machines with zigzag capability allow you to adjust the position of your needle – right,
left, or center. If your needle is not positioned correctly, it may be hitting your needle plate or
pressure foot.

I hope one of these solutions help you.

Hello,
Here are a few things to try.

* Re-thread your needle
It may be threaded incorrectly (backwards).

* Reinsert your needle
Make sure it goes all the way into the holder and that it’s positioned correctly – usually with the flat side away from the bobbin, but consult your machine’s manual to be sure.

* Change your needle
Your needle may be blunt, bent, or otherwise damaged.

* Your fabric may require a different needle. Generally, heavier fabrics require larger needles and thinner fabrics, smaller needles. You may also need a larger needle if you’re sewing through many layers of fabric. And make sure to use a ballpoint needle for knit fabrics and a sharp needle for wovens (or a universal needle for either). Make sure your needle is appropriate for the type of thread you’re using.

* Adjust the pressure of your pressure foot
It may be too light for your fabric.

* Change your thread
If your upper thread and bobbin threads are different types, try using the same thread for
both. And use a good quality, brand name thread.

* Adjust your thread tension
It may be too tight or too loose.

* Re-thread your machine
It may be threaded incorrectly.

* Change your needle plate
Try switching to a needle plate with a smaller hole (a straight stitch needle plate).

Important Note:
After changing your needle plate, check to make sure your needle aligns perfectly with this smaller hole before starting to sew. A misaligned needle could hit the plate and break, which could be dangerous. And make sure to change your needle plate back for zigzag and other wide stitches.

I hope this helps.

Hello,
Here are a few things to try.

* Re-thread your needle
It may be threaded incorrectly (backwards).

* Reinsert your needle
Make sure it goes all the way into the holder and that it’s positioned correctly – usually with the flat side away from the bobbin, but consult your machine’s manual to be sure.

* Change your needle
Your needle may be blunt, bent, or otherwise damaged.

* Your fabric may require a different needle. Generally, heavier fabrics require larger needles and thinner fabrics, smaller needles. You may also need a larger needle if you’re sewing through many layers of fabric. And make sure to use a ballpoint needle for knit fabrics and a sharp needle for wovens or a universal needle for either. Make sure your needle is appropriate for the type of thread you’re using.

* Adjust the pressure of your pressure foot
It may be too light for your fabric.

* Change your thread
If your upper thread and bobbin threads are different types, try using the same thread for
both. And use a good quality, brand name thread.

* Adjust your thread tension
It may be too tight or too loose.

* Re-thread your machine
It may be threaded incorrectly.

* Change your needle plate
Try switching to a needle plate with a smaller hole (a straight stitch needle plate).

Important Note:
After changing your needle plate, check to make sure your needle aligns perfectly with this smaller hole before starting to sew. A misaligned needle could hit the plate and break, which
could be dangerous. And make sure to change your needle plate back for zigzag and other wide stitches.

I hope this helps.