Along with sewing, my mom also taught me how to keep it in its best condition!
When I was learning, my machine used to block needles, or sometimes stop in the initial days. Sooner, she noticed this. She said, ‘You might have forgotten to oil it properly. Maintaining this machine is your job if you want to become a good tailor. Immediately, I oiled it, checked all of its parts, and tried sewing it the next day. It worked smoothly like butter!
Like all other machines, sewing machines also need timely maintenance. So, your machine can run efficiently without any flaws!
A sewing machine can last for generations if you take care of it regularly! The main key is how to do it. Many beginners may not know how to take care of sewing machines. And, I am going to help with that today. So, let’s not hustle and move ahead to learn how to maintain your sewing machine!
Important Maintenance Tips For Sewing Machines:
My mom gifted me a machine when I was young. And, I still have it! I brought it to Tampa from India after my wedding.
I know I know, it looks old.😄 Because, yeah, it really is! Guess, how old?
This machine is 30+ years old!🌟
Its color has faded a little over the years. But it still works fine!
I am sharing the must-practices for maintaining the sewing machine below, so your machine will also run for years:
1. First, Try To Know The Core Issue:
Your sewing machine will show signs if it has problems with its parts or is not working properly:
- It may change its sound when running or pedalling.
- You may hear loud clicking or clunking sounds.
- The thread may jam under the needle plate. Or, it may break while adding stitches.
- Its parts may create friction and cause a loud-pitched noise.
- The needle may break when stitching quickly.
- The stitch quality degrades. Some stitches may get skipped or come unevenly. Lower stitches may become messy.
- The seams pucker, or the needle may bend.
- Its parts (like handwheel, needle plate, bobbin case, etc) may loosen up or break.
- Your machine runs slowly with a heavy load.
- The fabric may not get fed.
- The machine may turn on and run. But it may not show stitches.
Problems like these may arise at any time in a sewing machine. Do not get scared if you are a beginner. Stop the sewing process and look for the issue.
Believe me, it happens to everyone. The main goal is to repair these issues with the right solutions.
2. Gather Necessary Tools To Solve The Problem:
To solve the sewing machine problems, you will need some basic tools. It’s good to keep them handy or make a box of these tools.
I Keep These Tools Always In My Sewing Box:
- Brush
- Small vessel or pan- to soak the machine’s parts in cleaning liquids
- Tweezers
- Magnifying glass- to observe small parts and gaps
- Soft cleaning cloth
- Small and large screwdrivers
- Small Hammer
- Small adjustable wrench
- Sewing machine oil
- Flashlight or torch
- Gloves
- Sewing machine lubricant tubes
- Small bottle of cleaning solvent- it must not flash flame at temperatures below 120°F.
Caution tips: Never use gasoline or carbon tetrachloride to clean sewing machine parts. These solvents may damage your machine. They may also cause a chemical reaction on your skin.
3. Follow These Maintenance Hacks:
3.1. External Cleaning:
This is the basic audit that you must immediately do after you notice any issue in your machine:
Check for dust, debris, or lint buildup in the machine’s parts. These two are the common causes behind the issues.
Use a clean brush or vacuum to remove the dirt and debris.
If the dirt is greasy, soak the cleaning cloth in a gentle solvent. Gently, wipe that area to remove the greasy debris.
3.2. Deep Internal Cleaning:
Internal cleaning is as important as external cleaning. Gently take out the removable part and clean it with a damp cloth.
Use a brush to clean the fibres stuck in the part. If these parts are greasy, soak them in light solvents for 1-2 hr.
For rusted or too greasy parts, use WD40 for deep cleaning. This liquid will gently dissolve the rust and stubborn grease in minutes!
These are the main removable parts in any sewing machine:
- Needle
- Needle plate
- Needle bar
- Bobbin
- Bobbin case
- Pressor foot
- Slide plate
- Face plate
3.3. Oiling:
Have you ever heard a clanking or screeching sound from the machine? Almost everyone has heard it once.
It happens when the machine parts create friction instead of running smoothly. It means the oil in that part has dried up
Stop the work immediately if you feel the same after hearing such noises.
Oil the machine properly at each spot. Leave it for a few hours. This time will lubricate the parts again.
To reduce such incidents, I suggest oiling your machine once a week. I do it on each Sunday. This practice establishes a maintenance routine for your machine.
3.4. Part Replacement:
Commonly, needles break more often than other parts.
To avoid this, I change the needles of my machine every 7-10 hrs. This prevents damage to my machines or fabrics. Also, the stitch quality remains the same.
For other parts: If I hear unusual noises from the machine or it stops suddenly, I look for the broken part.
If any part is broken, I replace it immediately. If it’s not removable, I take the machine to my repairman.
Timelines For Maintaining A Sewing Machine:
I have almost 20 machines at my shop. I have three at home for my personal use. Maintaining these many machines requires a proper routine.
Whether it is 20 machines or a single machine, you must set a habit of auditing and cleaning them.
Here are the basic timelines that I follow while taking care of my sewing machines:
1. I clean out leftover lint, thread, or fabric cutouts after sewing each garment.
2. Every 7-10 hrs, I oil the machine on which I am working. This time may vary from machine to machine.
3. Each Sunday, I deep-clean my machines at home. Every Friday evening, my staff cleans the machines at the shop.
4. Each year, I call our professional servicemen, Mr. Freddy, to audit, deep clean, oil (for internal parts), and repair the machine. This happens generally in December.
Top 5 Reasons To Maintain A Sewing Machine:
- The machine’s annual repair cost decreases due to timely maintenance and repair.
- Repairing small parts from time to time prevents major issues in the future.
- The machine’s performance and stitch quality stay top-notch. The chances of skipped stitches, low tension, needle breaking, etc., are minimized.
- Your sewing machine’s overall lifespan extends for more years. I have had a machine running smoothly for the last 30 years. If I can do it, you can too!
- No noise, no worries! Regular oiling and cleaning debris avoids friction between parts.
My Two Cents:
Taking care of your sewing machine is like raising a small child. You need to check each detail so your machine stays safe!♥️
Always set a routine for maintaining your sewing machine. Deep cleaning and oiling is NON-NEGOTIABLE! Use service manuals to repair small issues instantly. This keeps machine’s overall performance as good as new!
Always get your machine serviced annually by a professional. These small practices for maintaining your machine can keep it running longer!!
So, follow the tips today and work!
FAQs:
1. What Is The Best Way To Maintain A Sewing Machine For longest Use?
In my experience, a routine checkup, regular oiling, and vacuuming out lint threads are basic must-dos for maintaining a sewing machine. Also, yearly servicing from professionals helps a lot in keeping your machine working longer.
2. What To Avoid While Maintaining a Sewing Machine?
Avoid over-oiling the parts of your sewing machine. Otherwise, excess oil will block dirt and clog those parts. Also, avoid ignoring strange creaking sounds from your machine. Inspect it and repair the issue immediately.
