Machines and thread
Throat plate (needle plate), explained
Lint collects under the plate, so many embroiderers take it off regularly to brush out the bobbin area. A needle strike can leave a burr on the plate that shreds thread at the same spot every time, so check it after any strike. On combination sewing and embroidery machines, some manuals call for a straight-stitch plate with a small round hole for embroidery, since it supports the fabric closer to the needle; see machine maintenance.
