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February 19, 2026
If cloth is coming through on the front of your piece while you're tufting, this is usually caused by one of the following:
1. The pile height on your machine is set too low. Read our article on pile height adjustment to understand how to correctly adjust the pile height on your machine to ensure the yarn is being pushed further through the cloth and creating loops of the correct length.
2. You're moving the machine too quickly. When you tuft too fast, the needle doesn't have time to fully push the yarn through the cloth and form a loop on the other side. Slow down and make sure you're applying consistent forward pressure.
3. The cloth is too loose on the frame. If there's any sagging in your cloth, this can cause the needle to push the cloth through rather than piercing it cleanly. Make sure your cloth is stretched tight.
4. You're tufting at too steep of an angle. The machine should be held at roughly 90 degrees to the cloth. Tufting at a sharp angle can cause the foot of the machine to drag the cloth and pull it forward.
Check out our quick start video for additional tips on technique. If you're still having issues, contact us at support@tufttheworld.com.
February 19, 2026
There are a few common reasons why your yarn won't stay in the cloth:
1. You might be using the wrong type of yarn. Yarn weight and fiber content both play a role in how well the yarn stays in the cloth while tufting. Thinner or softer yarns tend to work their way out of the cloth more easily. We recommend using a coarser, heavier yarn such as wool.
2. The tufting speed is too fast and the needle isn't able to keep up, causing it to miss spots in the cloth. Check out our quick start video for some tips on tufting speed and technique.
3. You aren't applying enough forward pressure on the machine while tufting. Check out our quick start video to see the amount of pressure that should be applied.
4. The tufting cloth isn't tight enough on the frame. The cloth should be stretched as tight as a drum, with no sagging. Primary tufting cloth is the recommended cloth for tufting guns.
5. The cloth isn't attached securely enough to the frame. For tips on attaching your cloth, see our article on the best way to attach cloth to the frame.
If none of the above applies, contact us at support@tufttheworld.com for further troubleshooting.
February 19, 2026
In order to tuft properly, all parts of your machine must be synchronized so that the needle and nozzle push the cloth open to create a tuft. Even a few millimeters of maladjustment can cause the machine to fall out of sync, creating problems.
If your machine is out of sync, it's probably because a pile-height adjustment was made incorrectly. Luckily tufting machines are durable, and can often be fixed simply by reestablishing the factory settings of the upper and lower machine bars.
Factory settings for Duo machine:
The factory setting should not be moved on the Duo. For step-by-step guidance on how to adjust the pile height on your Duo, check out the video collection that came with your machine.
Factory settings for AK-I Cut-pile Machine:
The factory setting is also the tallest pile height on the AK-I. For step-by-step guidance on how to adjust the pile height on your AK-I, contact us at support@tufttheworld.com or check out the video collection that came with your machine.
Factory settings for AK-II Loop-pile Machine:
The factory setting is also the shortest pile height on the AK-II. For step-by-step guidance on how to adjust the pile height on your AK-II, contact us at support@tufttheworld.com or check out the video collection that came with your machine.
To change the pile height on your KRD-I, you'll need to either extend or shorten the machine's upper machine bar. Contact us at support@tufttheworld.com for step-by-step instructions.
February 19, 2026
Your machine might squeal for one of the following reasons:
Needs Oil: Tufting machines require regular oiling to function properly. We recommend using sewing machine oil (best option), 3-in-1 multipurpose oil, or another lubricating oil at least monthly. Learn more on how and where to oil your machine in our machine maintenance guide.
Yarn Jam: If there's yarn stuck in the gear of your machine, or if the square bearings that control the tufting action are stuck, contact support@tufttheworld.com for troubleshooting assistance, or to send your machine in for repair.
Electrical Issue: If yarn isn't visibly stuck in the white (AK-I and II) or pink (DUO) gear or square bearings of your machine, the issue is most likely electrical. Email us support@tufttheworld.com for troubleshooting assistance, or to send your machine in for repair.
February 19, 2026
The scissors on your AK-I, or DUO machine might not be adequately cutting for one of the following reasons:
1. The yarn you're using is too soft, so the fibers are bending against the scissor blade instead of severing. Tufting machines work best with coarser yarns, especially wool. Read more about ideal tufting yarns in our yarn collection.
2. Fibers might've built up in the scissor channel of your machine. Be sure to brush out shed fibers from all parts of your machine as part of regular maintenance.
3. The machine has been adjusted incorrectly or over-extended during a pile-height change, causing the scissors to malfunction.
4. The scissor action is a mechanical process, meaning when the open scissors are moving back and forth, they hit a metal piece at the front of the machine, the scissor-closer, which causes them to close. If the scissors appear stuck or jammed, it means that the scissor-closer might need a micro-adjustment to push the scissor blades together.
5. Your scissors are dull and need to be replaced; this happens over time, especially if you tuft often and with fibers other than wool. Contact support@tufttheworld.com to request a replacement scissor piece, and we will e-mail you an invoice to set up your order.
6. The foot of your machine was not micro-adjusted correctly, thus preventing the scissors from performing the cut-action at the right point of contact while tufting. Contact support@tufttheworld.com for step-by-step guidance on adjusting the foot on your AK-I.
If these changes still don't solve the issue, contact us at support@tufttheworld.com.
February 19, 2026
The most basic element of machine maintenance is regularly oiling your tufting machine, regardless of the model. You should oil your machine each time you use it. We recommend using sewing machine oil (best option), 3-in-1 multipurpose oil, or another lubricating oil.
To oil your low-pile machine (AK-I, AK-II, all DUOs, KRD):
As a general rule, apply oil to every part of your low-pile machine that moves. On the AK-I, AK-II, all DUO machines and KRD-I machines, apply a few drops of oil to the metal bars in front of and behind the white square bearings, and to the rotating bearings at the ends of the upper and lower machine bars. Turn the machine on to evenly distribute the oil, adding additional drops as needed until the machine runs smoothly. You can't over-oil, so don't be shy.
To oil your high-pile machine (AK-III):
High-pile machines need to be oiled more frequently than low-pile machines because they run at higher speeds. We recommend oiling your high-pile machine every few weeks.
As a general rule, apply oil to every part of the AK-III that moves. Focus on the metal bars in front of and behind the white square bearings, and the blade near the needle. Turn the machine on to evenly distribute the oil, adding additional drops as needed until the machine runs smoothly. You can't over-oil, so don't be shy.