Since your sewing machine is your best friend, why not take excellent care of it? There are several things you can do for your favorite companion to keep him healthy and happy. Here are a few easy steps to clean, maintain, and keep your sewing machine in tip top shape!
For a deeper clean, break out your tools (your machine will often come with a special screwdriver) so you can carefully remove the more permanent panels to vacuum out the interior areas. Refer to your manual for specifics for your individual machine.
You will notice when you have left your machine too long without a professional cleaning. Symptoms include a stiff handwheel, changes in stitch length, skipped stitches, loose tension, and groaning noises. This is especially important if you live in a dry climate, as the lubricant dries out even faster! Be kind and keep your machine hydrated! (Did you know your thread can dry out too? Here are some tips on how to deal with that.)
Do a combination of these things for your buddy, and you will both have a long, happy relationship and MANY years of sewing to enjoy together! Happy sewing (and cleaning)!
Related Links:
Sewing Machine Maintenance Tips
How to Prepare a Sewing Machine
Choosing the Right Sewing Machine Needles – links to National Quilters Circle website
Cleaning and Maintaining Your Sewing Machine – links to National Quilters Circle website
Get in touch! Leave a comment or email editor@nationalsewingcircle.com.
very usefull
E ‘davvero blog informativo! Mi è piaciuto molto il modo di claen qui circa la macchina da cucire. Grazie per saharing questo blog informativo con noi.
I buy the fuzzy sticks (a/k/a pipe cleaners) to get out fuzz I cannot see. They work well, are bendable and reach into spots I cannot see.
Pipe cleaners is a threat idea!
I have been sewing for 50 plus years. This article was stupid.
Elizabeth, that was an unexpected & unusually unkind comment from someone who sews. To a novice this could be very helpful. I’ve been sewing for over 60 years, but I was not taught anything about taking care of my machine. It was something I had to learn from more experienced sewers.
First time I’ve clicked on one of these sites and there was Elizabeth’s rude comment. I’ve sewn forever as well, but the newer machines are tricky. I always wonder if we should oil them. And thank you for your suggestions,
Agree
That Elizabeth sounds like a real winner. If she’s been sewing for 50 plus years she has got to be in her 60s or older. The stupidity of some people just amaze me sometimes. I think most of us need reminders of our machines as to how to care for them,and your right the newer machines are tricky. She is probably just a troll, looking to amuse herself, or that bad apple in the box, wanting to spoil all the apples. If we are lucky she will stick her head in the soil, and keep it THERE!
Like the cleaning tips very much, but it stated you would tell us what to do about thread drying out. I found no tips for that.
Hi, Dolores.
Here is a great video for that:
https://www.nationalsewingcircle.com/video/how-to-prevent-sewing-thread-breakage-004578/
Also, in general, store your thread away from direct sunlight and not in a room with too much humidity. This can help prolong the life of your thread.
Please could you put subtitles on your videos to help hearing impaired people like me. Many hard of hearing and deaf people are very keen sewers and would subscribe to your circle if they follow your info’.
Thank you for your feedback. We apologize for any inconvenience and have forwarded this suggestion on to the proper department.
I am rediscovering the delight in sewing after a number of years of not sewing. My new machine has good instructions but watching this was very helpful and I thank you, Aurora (Hope I spelled your lovely name correctly.)
This was very helpful to me and I thank you for it.