Nearly always. Another thing that helps keep the fabric from going down into the bobbin area is a straight stitch plate. It has a single hole in it, preventing that problem. Only thing is you do have to remember to change it when you want to do a zigzag stitch or anything other than a straight stitch. Don't ask how I know! :oops: You might check to see if your machine dealer has one, personally I think it's wonderful. And now the machine I have has a function on it that doesn't allow any thing but a straight stitch, IF you remember to use it! Oh, I also use an ender at the end of the pieces I'm sewing.