A Guide To Basic Sewing Machine Maintenance
by Janet Wong
A good sewing machine can sew perfectly for many years with proper maintenance and care. A well-maintained machine will run smoothly, stitch well, and prevent potential problems. Maintaining your sewing machine is simple. Below are some tips on how to care for your machine.
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General cleaning of the sewing machine
Whether you use your sewing machine often or every once in a while, it is important to keep it clean. General cleaning is simple and can be done within a few minutes.
Brush the machine
A build-up of dirt or dust can affect the operation of your sewing machine. Using a clean brush, gently brush around the moving parts of your machine.
Wipe the machine
After each use, unplug the machine and wipe any dust from the bobbin case and any other spots where dust is accumulating with a clean cloth.
Cover the machine
Always keep the machine covered when not in use to keep it dust-free and protected. If your machine does not come with a cover, you can consider making your own!
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Maintaining the sewing machine
Performing routine maintenance tasks can extend the life of your sewing machine and it is essential for the sewing machine to stitch perfectly.
Oiling and lubricating
Sewing machines have many moving parts and they need to be lubricated regularly in order to run smoothly. However, take note that some sewing machines are self-lubricating and do not need to be oiled.
Make sure that you clean your sewing machine properly first before adding the new oil and only sewing machine oil should be used. Apply the oil as your manual instructs and then run a few stitches across a scrap of fabric to remove any extra oil.
Changing the needle
Needles will become dull over time causing looped threads, skipped stitches, or pull on your fabric. Each of these can cause damage to your sewing machine too! We suggest that you change your needle after every 8-hours of use.
Also, bear in mind that different fabrics require different needles. Remember to switch the needle to match the material that you are working on.
Adjusting the machine
First, be sure the needle is the proper length as recommended in your manual. The needle should be inserted in the needle bar clamp with the long groove (refer to Figure 1 below) of the needle facing the side from which you thread the needle.
Figure 1: Parts of sewing machine needle
Next, a good general setting is one that results in 10 to 12 stitches per inch of seam (may vary depending on material thickness). There should be just enough pressure on the presser foot to hold the fabric on the feed dog so that a uniform length of stitch is made. Refer to your machine’s manual on how to adjust the presser foot of your machine.
Last but not least, adjust the thread tension accordingly. Upper and lower tension must be balanced to produce a perfect stitch. Make all adjustments on the upper tension first. If the lower tension has been disturbed during cleaning, set both lower and upper tension so there will be a slight drag on each thread. After adjusting, try sewing on a piece of cloth and inspect the stitching. Threads should be locked in the center with no loops on the top or bottom of the seam (refer to Figure 2 below).
Figure 2: Problems and solutions of sewing thread tension
Preventing sewing machine problems
By preventing potential problems, you can keep your sewing machine running and get your sewing projects done efficiently.
Operating tips
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The machine should be oiled and properly threaded before starting to sew.
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Use a needle size that is suitable for the fabric and thread weight.
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Be sure the needle is the correct length, straight, and sharp.
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Do not place too much tension on the thread by overwinding your bobbin.
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Always use high-quality suitable threads.
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Use the same thread in the bobbin and spool unless you are creating a special effect.
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Match the correct presser foot to the type of fabric.
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Steer clear of pins and other hard obstructions while sewing.
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Feed your fabric gently and uniformly.
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Hold thread tails out of the way when you start to avoid them becoming caught.
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To turn a corner, stop the machine while the needle is still in the fabric. Raise the presser foot and turn the fabric, using the needle as a pivot point. Then lower the presser foot and resume sewing.
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Start and stop the machine with the needle and thread take-up lever in their highest position.
Read this article for more sewing tips and tricks.
Follow the user manual
All sewing machines require basic maintenance and these procedures are covered in the use and care booklet that comes with the machine. Always follow the manual when handling the sewing machine parts as it may very across different machines.
Professional servicing and repair
Regular cleaning and maintenance can keep your sewing machine in prime condition but you will still need to schedule annual maintenance on top of that to have a professional look at it. Some issues need an experienced technician such as adjusting the timing and tension of your sewing machine, as well as fixing those parts that you are unable to do on your own.