The needles in a Singer or other sewing machine break either because the needle-bar is bent, causing the needle to strike on the inside edge of the hole in the needle-plate; or the shuttle, or shuttle race, or both, may be worn, thus allowing the shuttle to fall forward sufficiently to get on the wrong side of the needle - that is to say, the point of the shuttle passes on the outside of the needle instead of the inside. If the bar is bent, straighten it by striking at its highest point with a light hammer while in the machine. If when this is done the needle dips down in the centre of the hole in the needle-plate correctly, and the shuttle can be moved with the fingers enough to strike the needle instead of passing without touching, either a new shuttle must be procured or enough of the point of the old shuttle, if not badly worn, must be rubbed off on a piece of emery-cloth to allow it to clear the needle.