How to Look after Your Sewing Machine and Attachments for Maximum Productivity
Posted on: 11 July 2017
If sewing is your favourite hobby, then you may spend many a long hour behind your machine. You know that these products operate with very fine precision and rely on the engineers at the factory to set them up properly for longer life. Yet are you doing enough yourself to make sure that you get longevity and that you're able to complete as many projects as you like with little downtime? What should you be doing to look after your investment?
General Advice
Many people fall into the trap of keeping the same needle until it absolutely has to be changed. Just consider how much work this component does and understand how its efficiency will drop off rather quickly as time goes by. If you're still working and the needle has lost its edge or is even out of true, then you're going to find skipped stitches, broken threads, or risk pulls in the fabric. It's best if you change your needles with every project, or even more often if the project is a long one.
At-Home Maintenance
Once your project does come to a conclusion, it's time to give your sewing machine a comprehensive clean.
Mainly, you will want to get rid of any loose threads and built up lint. You can start off by raising the press so that the tension is removed from the springs. Then you can get a piece of muslin in between the tension discs. Next, take off the plate, bobbin and case and clear out the area beneath using a small lint brush.
You should get hold of a compressed air bottle and blow this around the tension discs and in the bobbin area to get rid of any thread and lint. Be careful here, so that you don't actually blow lint into the machine in an attempt to get it out. You may have to experiment how you hold the air compressed air bottle accordingly.
Experts advise that you keep this air bottle several inches away from the machine, as otherwise there is a danger of introducing some moisture, which should be avoided at all costs.
Overlocker Maintenance
Using a soft brush, clean the cutting blades of the overlocker every time that you use it. Apply a couple of drops of oil to the moving points, but don't go overboard. This can help to increase its durability.
Finally, check to see that the knife blades are aligned properly and firmly secured. If you've been having some problems with your work here, you may also like to adjust the pressure control for the knife blades.
Annual Checkup
At least once per year you should take everything into an authorised service centre, for full maintenance.
Share