Sewing through Many layers of fabric

I just made a top for my daughter.  It turned out pretty good, but had a bit of trouble getting the machine to move forward across the parts where there were many layers of fabric.  Anything I can do to make this easier to sew?  It's just like the needle gets stuck?

Thanks!

Yes, sometimes this happens. If you are sewing in a small area with multiple layers, you will need to help your fabric through the pressure foot because there's not enough fabric for the foot to grab and pull through the machine. Most machines just do not have the power to plow through layers of fabric easily.
You might want to also consider using a larger needle because some machines are more sensitive to layers of fabric. If you aren't using one already, move up to a size 80 or 90 needle.

Part of it depends on your machine.  Once I got serious I just had to upgrade because no matter what I did my machine didn't have enough power.

However, you could definitely try a few things.

1. Sewer's Aid.  It's a little bottle of silicone you can put on your needle to help it glide through the fabric.  You can get it at the chain stores in the notions aisle.

2. Make sure you are using a stronger needle, but also the right needle for the project.  I mostly sew cotton, so I use "sharp" or "microtex" needles in 90/14 and I can get through multiple layers of interfacing, batting & fabric to make purses with those.  If I'm doing anything with canvas I go up to a denim needle.  If you are working with stretch or knit, you should use a universal or ballpoint needle but go up a size.  Also! Make sure you are using a NEW needle for each big project or 2-3 smaller projects.  That makes a huge difference.

3. Invest in a walking foot.  Although your problem sounds more like the power of the machine than the presser foot, you still might want to try one out at the store to see if it would help feed the layers better.

Good luck!
Erin

When I get in this situation I hand walk the fabric through the feed-dogs and this was I can slowly make sure the needle goes in correctly and the fabric doesn't get stuck or wonky...

Along with the suggestions above you may be able to trim the seam allowances that are making up the bulk. This is often recommended in older patterns but I don't see it in similar instances of newer patterns.

and when you're trimming - you might help yourself by "grading" the seam allowance....trimming each SA slightly different widths..in the "old" days we did this by holding our scissors at an angle when trimming both SAs together...do they still teach you to do this?

My MIL taught me, when hemming jeans at home, to lay the jeans on a cement floor first and POUND them with the handle of your scissors. It's similar to pounding meat - she smacked them around to make the whole sandwich thinner, and then rolled the wheel forward by hand on the really tricky areas. Slow and steady does it....

Good luck!

There is a wooden pounding tool used for this if you want to save your scissors.  Can't find it online right now. Does anyone know what it is called?  I've used a hammer in a pinch. 
I hand walk the needle like others have said.

I use a mallet. Or a hammer. Whichever is closer.

Seriously?
You guys actually pound your seams? I wouldn't have thought to do that in a million years, but it makes sense.

With the boys' bags I made recently, I can't tell you how many needles I went through. I wish I would've known to get out the hammer...

LOL. I haven't done it often but yes I have done it enough that there is a mallet that stays in my craft/sewing room! (It does get used for other crafts too.) Canvas and denim are the main culprits.