Table of Contents
I often use sewing machines as a seamstress, tailor, or quilter. These machines help me work quickly and accurately, and we can count on them to work whenever needed. However, without proper sewing machine maintenance, a sewing machine may not cooperate or, worse, it may break down completely.
If you are new to sewing, these beginner tips will help keep your machine running well. This guide will show you how to care for your sewing machine, industrial machine, and serger.
Essential: These are crucial maintenance steps. Different machines require different cleaning methods. Check your owner’s manual before beginning the cleaning process.
Why Regular Maintenance Is Important
Sewing machines, commercial or industrial, can be expensive. However, a simple machine can be bought for just over $100 at a large retail chain store.
However, industrial, high-end, or quilting machines can cost thousands of dollars. It pays to take a few minutes to do regular maintenance or risk causing damage that will be expensive to repair. Also, consider the possibility that the machine could break.
If you don’t take care of your sewing machine, you might face problems. Lint buildup, broken threads, dirt, or fabric can stick. Fabric can catch in the feed dogs or bobbin area, and you might even break a needle. I’ve been a seamstress for decades and encountered these problems before I knew how to properly clean and maintain my machine.
My mother was a seamstress, and I learned most of my knowledge from her. I forget the times she performed maintenance other than oiling the machine. (I was probably bored and ran off to play.) Today, I realize the importance of keeping a machine clean and performing maintenance regularly.
Cleaning, oiling, and storing your machine can save you time, frustration, and an expensive repair bill. My local repair center charges $190 to examine the machine; parts and labor are extra.
Daily Sewing Machine Care
Compare sewing machine maintenance to servicing a car. If you do not adequately service a vehicle, you may see unusual wear on the engine. You might also have misfiring spark plugs, faulty brakes, etc. While car maintenance is more dangerous than maintaining a clean sewing machine, service is equally important.
You might ask why you should do daily care. Isn’t once a week or once a month enough? Doing tasks like oiling or deep cleaning once a month is fine.
However, daily maintenance can help you avoid minor problems. This includes issues like lint, dirt, or broken threads. It also pays to look over the inside of the machine if you feel it isn’t sewing correctly or making strange noises.
Begin by collecting the tools you need for sewing machine maintenance. This includes removing lint, oiling the machine, and more. Some tools may come with your sewing machine. You most likely have others around the house, or you can purchase them for a small amount.
A Small Screwdriver
Your accessory kit may have included a small screwdriver. Sometimes, it looks like a flat piece of metal, like a key.
Suppose you have to purchase a screwdriver. I recommend buying a magnetic screwdriver. Choose a short and stubby screwdriver to remove the screws around the switch plate. This will help you reach areas that a larger screwdriver cannot access.
A Cleaning Utensil
Small utensils are vital for reaching hard-to-reach places. Many machines come with a small brush for capturing and removing lint and pieces of thread or fabric.
Some people like to use Q-tips or pipe cleaners. They can bend and fit into tight corners and small spaces, like around the bobbin case. No matter what you choose to use, be sure it won’t leave lint behind, or your work to maintain a clean sewing machine will be for naught.
Sewing Oil
Purchase oil specifically made for sewing machines. Avoid using any other type of oil in the kitchen.
It can damage your machine. At the utmost least, it may stain fabrics or stick lint to the feed dogs and internal parts. Clean brushes or any reusable items after finishing.
Cleaning Cloth
Choose a soft cloth for sewing machine maintenance, preferably cotton or microfiber cloth.
New Sewing Machine Needles
I can’t stress enough the importance of using new needles as soon as the one in the machine becomes dull. A dull needle can cause uneven stitches or even destroy delicate fabrics. Check your manual for recommendations.
I have a collection of different needles, including multi-packs with weights and tips, standard needles, ballpoint needles, and more.
A Can of Compressed Air
I used compressed air almost daily to blow out debris in my machine. This works well for daily sewing machine care but DOES NOT replace cleaning with a brush or cloth. I simply use it as a starting point. Avoid using compressed air in the internal areas of the machine because it may cause lint or debris to get caught in other areas.
Tweezers
These are a godsend when retrieving lost screws or pulling out lint, pieces of fabric, or broken threads.
Paper and Tape
This may sound silly, but I have paper and tape on hand when I do sewing machine maintenance. Many of the screws in the machine are minuscule and easily lost. (I once spent two hours looking for a screw and never found it.)
When I remove a screw, I tape it to a piece of paper and write where it belongs. It can save a great deal of grief!
Deep Cleaning Your Sewing Machine
Deep cleaning a sewing machine may seem daunting, but it is quite simple once you try it a few times. Even if you maintain daily and monthly cleaning schedules, it is important to dedicate time to deep cleaning.
Here are the steps to care for and maintain a clean sewing machine. A professional might conduct some or all these steps.
1. Unplug Your Machine
Unplugging any electrical device before performing cleaning or maintenance is essential—no one wants an unexpected shock!
2. Remove the Thread
Remove the thread carefully, taking care to pull it out gently. Avoid pulling on tension discs or the take-up lever, as the thread may break or knot, making it difficult to remove.
Broken threads can create a big mess, especially if they catch in the bobbin case. Also, ensure that the thread is intact and not broken. Using a good quality thread is imperative for its strength and usability.
3. Remove the Needle
The needle is held in place with a small set screw on the side. Use your screwdriver or special tool to unfasten the screw. You only need to loosen the screw enough to remove the needle; you do not have to remove it. If the needle is new, tape it to the paper with the screws.
4. Remove the Switch Plate
Use the magnetic screwdriver to remove the screws on the switch plate. Use your stubby screwdriver to remove the screws that hold the plate in place.
Set the plate to the side. I keep the screws in the switch plate to prevent losing them. If you’re worried about that, tape them to the paper along with the other screws.
Once you remove the screws, gently lift the switch plate to reveal the bobbin hook mechanism and internal components.
5. Extract the Bobbin Case
The most common locations of a bobbin case are either top or side loading, both of which are easily removed and cleaned.
You can remove bobbins, whether top or side loading, by lifting them out of the machine. If you locate the bobbin in a case, simply lift the lever and remove it. Brush away any dirt or lint in and around the bobbin, then clean the bobbin cases, also known as the “hook.”
6. Remove Lint
Use the cleaning brush to remove lint and debris from the inside of the machine. Using compressed air now is not a good idea. Debris could get into hard-to-reach areas without taking apart the machine.
7. Adjust Timing and Tension Discs
Seasoned sewers might take on this task, while others should leave it to professionals. Tension discs play a large part in creating consistent and well-aligned stitches. Some sewing machines have a simple process to adjust tension, but others, particularly older machines, are more complicated.
My grandmother gave me a sewing machine from 1945. This machine is vastly different from my Singer machine from the 1960s. Also, it differs from my modern Brother machines.
8. Deep Clean the Interior
Begin deep cleaning the machine after the initial steps are complete. Deep cleaning requires the machine to be disassembled. Remove all screws to expose the interior of the machine.
Using the cleaning utensils, brush away dirt, lint, and debris. Use tweezers to extract lint, pieces of fabric and thread, or other debris. Don’t be surprised if you find parts, a needle, or other items that fell into the machine.
9. Clean the Exterior
When finished with cleaning and reassembling the machine, clean the exterior with a soft, damp cloth. This step is especially important to complete before storing the machine.
How To Clean and Oil a Sewing Machine
Wondering how to oil a sewing machine? Check your sewing machine manual for instructions on oiling your machine. Not all machines require oil, and you may encounter problems if you oil the machine incorrectly.
For example, I was working on an expensive Vera Wang gown when the machine I was using threw up oil all over the dress. I was horrified and took the issue to my boss. (It was her incorrectly oiled machine.)
Long story short, I had to deep clean the machine, and I saved the gown by washing it in the bathroom sink. It all worked out, but correcting the error cost time and money.
The manual will instruct you where to place the oil. I’ve seen machines with as many as seven places to oil, while some have one spot that needs attention.
It only takes 1-2 drops of oil at each point. Wipe away any excess oil. (Remember Vera Wang.) Turn the wheel counterclockwise to allow the oil to properly lubricate the necessary areas.
Routine sewing machine care dictates oiling every 8 number of hours of use. This will also be in your manual.
One machine suggests oiling every 10 to 12 hours. Other machines may suggest 15 to 18 hours. This depends on the type of sewing or materials used.
Sewing Machine Troubleshooting
Sewing machines are often basic pieces of equipment that can be maintained or repaired. Sewing machine tips for beginners may include the following.
Tangled Bobbin
You can easily remedy the typical issue of thread tangling or spreading on the bobbin. Carefully remove the bobbin from the machine and inspect the troubled area. You may be able to tell how it happened.
One possible issue could be a loose bobbin thread or incorrect installation of the bobbin. To fix the problem and any issues with the thread, unthread the machine completely.
Then, rethread it from the start. Sew a piece of fabric to ensure you correct the problem. If that doesn’t help, check the machine and make sure you set it to the ideal tension for your project.
Thread Caught in Take-Up Lever
Thread catching in the take-up lever may happen because of cheap thread or improper threading. If you catch the thread, use tweezers to extract it from the machine. If you have to cut the thread, remove all pieces before sewing.
Uneven Stitches
Uneven stitches may be caused by loose or cheap thread or an issue with the tension discs. Rethread the machine and do a sewing test. If the issue continues, you should adjust the tension appropriate to the fabric you are using.
Thread Keeps Breaking
Use only high-quality thread, as recommended by your sewing machine manual. Rethread the machine from the beginning and do a sewing test. The issue may also be caused by tension or bobbin issues. Also, check the needle to ensure sharpness or damage.
These steps may seem extensive or tricky, but they become second nature when working with your sewing machine. Routine sewing machine care will save time, money, and wear on your machine. Remember, if you are kind to your sewing machine, it will be kind to you!
Conclusion
In summary, taking care of your sewing machine is important. Regular maintenance helps it last longer and work better.
You can prevent issues like lint buildup, tangled threads, and uneven stitches. To do this, follow daily, monthly, and deep-cleaning routines. These issues often lead to expensive repairs.
Investing a little time in cleaning, oiling, and using the right tools will help your machine run smoothly, saving you both time and frustration. A well-maintained sewing machine makes your sewing experience better. It also protects your investment and keeps it reliable for years.
No Comments