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General Maintenance for Sewing Machines

A clean machine is a happy machine! I've created this guide to help aid our maintenance workshops. It should be used as a general guide to help you keep your machine in good running order.

  • Sewing machines can accumulate a significant amount of lint and fluff, with certain threads and fabrics contributing more than others. Regular maintenance is essential to ensure smooth operation. Neglecting proper care can lead to malfunctions.

  • Sewing machines have numerous moving parts that need lubrication, which should be replenished and refreshed periodically. For those who use their machines often, it is advisable to clean the machine weekly or after every 1,000 stitches. The area around and beneath the bobbin is critical to keep clean. Most machines require periodic lubrication; consult your machine's manual for specific instructions.

  • Vintage machines typically need oiling every eight hours of sewing. A general guideline is to oil any moving part, especially where there is metal-on-metal contact, while plastic parts may require lubricating grease.

  • Additionally, it is wise to have your machines professionally serviced at least once a year or after every 10,000 stitches.

 

After working in the machine business for the last few years, I have learned that there are only two types of sewers.


People that service their machines annually and keep their machine cleaned or.....


The people that never clean their machines, either they don't know how, don't know they should or could clean their machines, or would rather pay someone to do it for them or... and wait until their machine is not sewing properly to bring it in.



What type of machine owner are you?

  • Someone who only cleans when something goes wrong.

  • Someone who frequently cleans their machine.




 


* Machines that sit for long periods of time, even if they are clean, can freeze up. The oil and lubricants can get stiff and harden over time, and parts will stop moving properly or seize.


Happy Sewing starts with Healthy Habits. General maintenance is part of sewing, basic cleaning and upkeep are important. Based on my personal experience, these are my recommendations, these may vary depending on how much you sew with your machines and how long they sit unused.


Quick Cleanings -> WEEKLY

General Maintenance -> MONTHLY

Servicing -> ANNUALLY


I hope this helps you to have a better understanding of how taking care of a sewing machine, is important in keeping it running smoothly.


Happy Sewing,

Erin Gannon

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