As soon as a needle breaks, stop. Don't continue running the machine until the broken needle is fully accounted for.

• Turn the machine off before doing anything else
• If your machine has an auto thread cutter, don't use it to try to clear any thread tangle left by the break - attempting to cut through multiple layers of tangled thread can jam the cutter mechanism, leaving you with two problems instead of one
• Carefully locate and remove all pieces of the broken needle
• Check around the needle plate, presser foot and hoop for any fragments - they can travel further than you'd expect

Needles don't break without a reason. Identifying the cause before fitting a new one is important - otherwise it's likely to happen again.

A breaking needle can leave marks, burrs or damage on the needle plate or bobbin case. It's important to check both before fitting a new needle and continuing.

• Run your finger gently around the needle hole and feel for any rough spots or damage
• Inspect the bobbin case for any visible marks or rough edges
• A damaged needle plate or bobbin case should be replaced before sewing again - continuing with a damaged plate can cause further needle breaks

Once you've identified and addressed the cause, fit a fresh needle the right way.

• Use a fresh embroidery needle appropriate for your fabric and design
• Insert it fully with the flat side to the back and tighten the screw securely
• Turn the handwheel manually to lower and raise the needle and confirm it clears the hoop, presser foot and needle plate without catching

A hoop that isn't attached correctly or is sitting at an angle can cause the needle to strike the edge or frame during stitching.

• Re-attach the hoop and check it's sitting flat and level on the machine
• Make sure it's locked securely in place and doesn't move when the machine runs
• Check the fabric is hooped tautly with no give - a loose hoop can also cause the needle to deflect

Running too fast puts extra stress on the needle, particularly on dense designs or thick fabrics.

• Slow the machine down and let it work at a steady, comfortable pace
• For very dense designs or heavy fabrics, a slower speed protects both the needle and the fabric

Before returning to your project, run a test on scrap fabric of the same type. Turn the handwheel manually for the first few stitches to confirm everything is clear, then let the machine run at a moderate speed and check all is well before continuing with your design.