The bulk can hold the needle up just long enough for the hook to miss the stitch. A larger needle might punch through faster.
I have done a hand fix for a few long stitches, not ideal but it works. I thread a needle with matching thread and couch over the thread on each side at the same length as the original stitching would have been. I then knot my thread and bury the ends. If you just have a few spot, it's do-able.