Before we get there, I can't stress enough how much folks need to get their machines serviced. I was helping with our kids' camp this past week and on Friday several machines were acting up. Every one of them needed a little servicing attention. Every one!
Take care of your machines!
Now for this week.......guess what, I decided to reread all the comments from last week's tip and I think you guys need to read them all so our reader feedback will be this week's tip.
And, guess who the random winner is of our comments last week? Kay Stephenson, you get to bring that vintage singer in to see Steve. You can come on Friday around noon or come any time the week before and leave it for him. He usually finished machines on the same day Friday he starts working on them unless there is something really wrong or there is a part he does not have, but he does keep a lot of parts in stock.
Ok, folks read all the comments below and have a great week! Don't miss our Christmas in July fun this Saturday the 23rd from 11a-4p!
Nancy said...- If we learn by our mistakes one thing I learned is - If you have an electronic machine don't disconnect your power cord from your MACHINE when you finish sewing or when there is bad weather. Disconnect it from the wall. I burned mine up and had to purchase a new one.
- Jerri said...
- I haven't really noticed any problems with my machine, but it's been several years since I've had it serviced. There is a little red thread poking out from the bobbin area that I can't quite get to budge, so it's probably just a matter of time til something bad happens!
- Lynne Leavell said...
- I had a problem with fabric feeding through my machine, so I took the throat plate off and cleaned out a major dust bunny and now it feeds fabric really well. It has been years oh wait I don't think I have ever had a sewing machine serviced. My husband keeps telling me to but I just keep on sewing. Thanks for the helpful hints.
Mitzi said...- I need to have my machine serviced. I change my needle with every new project I start and I use good thread and that seems to help cut down on problems for me. Thanks for the giveaway - very generous!
- Marie said...
- Thanks for the tips. I agree with Nancy that unplugging your machine from the wall during bad weather or when on vacation can be a lifesaver. I had my last machine tune up last August but am thinking it'll soon be time for another one.
Becky said...- I had Steve service my machine on Tuesday at Patchwork Cottage. I didn't realize he was at your shop on Friday.Cleaning and oiling a machine just makes it hum. A new needle every couple of bobbins is a great idea, too.
- NancyJane said...
- Thanks for the tips, especially the one about the foot pedal that keeps on going. I'm having that problem now with my Janome. Sounds like I need to have it serviced!!
MotherMotherOcean said...- I will sew and sew and sew and then realize that I forgot to add a little oil. It makes all the difference. Thanks for the other suggestions!
- Kay Stephenson said...
- I have several machines, but my favorite is a vintage Singer 15-91 that my Aunt found on an auction for less than $5. She is a wizard with these old machines and had this one sewing perfectly when she gave it to me. However, I've done something to it and now I can't lower the feed dogs. With these old completely mechanical machines, it's easy to turn a screw so far in one direction that things just come undone :-) I'll have to stop by and see if Steve can sort it out for me.
- Elaine said...
- I had my machine serviced about 6 months ago but continued to have some issues. Since I usually sew with my walking foot attached, I took it off while trying to figure out what was wrong. I finally figured out the walking foot was full of lint - I ran a pipecleaner into the various openings and almost had enough lint to stuff a pin cushion! And the problems I was having disappeared! I didn't realize the walking foot needed routine TLC just like my machine.
- Lisa Marie Mosley said...
- I had my machine serviced right at about a year after I purchased it but I was sewing alot and it was not sewing straight. It is time to get it done again. I think I sew often enough to have to get it serviced twice a year. If we are going to create with our sewing machines we have to keep then tuned.
epban said...- I had my machine serviced about 8 months ago and had to replace the pedal! Now I have one of those pedal mats to keep it from sliding on the carpet. Hope this pedal lasts!
Nancy said...- Thanks for the article - I never knew about the thread pulling. My machine probably needs servicing. LOL!
- Carol B said...
- I hadn't thought about sewing every month to keep your machine running well. There have been long stretches of time that i don't use my machine, but no more! i will sew every month!!
Nancy said...- I had my machine serviced 2 months ago. It had been more than a year and I knew it was way past time. I hated to give it up though. I was pushed to do it since the threader wasn't working and it was making me crazy!
GeeMa said...- Great tips on maintaining your machine! I have three and they have all be serviced at various times. Nothing is more frustrating that trying to piece when the machine doesn't sew well.
- kelly said...
- I have a vintage, all metal New Home machine that I use nearly every day. But it can need a little finessing sometimes. It's always a good idea to stop sewing if something sounds wrong...or doesn't feel just right, because usually it means something is wrong! I've learned this the hard way, but I've also made friends with my seam ripper over the years. I also have an industrial pfaff, and that's a whole other animal. The motor on that thing is crazy and it sews way faster than I could keep up with, so I have to be very deliberate. I don't think I could ever go back to using a plastic sewing machine after using my two beasts!
- Not Sew Ordinary said...
- I grew up sewing but I guess the cleaning part was something my mom did when we kids weren't running around. I remember the first time I started having major problems and the first thing she did was take off the throat plate. "It does that?!?!" Yes, there was enough lint that it could have been a cat! Amazing how well it worked after that, haha. Now I think it is a cool trick so I clean it MUCH more often.
alindbergh said...- My mother keeps wanting me to try out my great-grandmother's treadle. It's probably been 80 since it's seen action, let alone been serviced! :)
- rocky R. said...
- I have never taken my machine to be serviced, mostly because it's a less then a year old. But I am constantly amazed at how many problems can be solved by taking off the throat plate and cleaning the lint out! I'm so glad I finally figured out how to treat my machine better!
- golden isis said...
- The biggest thing I do to keep my little old machine humming is just keep the oil bottle next to her--and a big fluffy pipe cleaner helps me get the crud the little brush won't reach. Thank you for this giveaway!
Leah said...- I really need to get my Brother machine in to be serviced. My husband says he can look at the manual and tell what needs doing and do it himself, but I'm not so sure. I have learned a lot reading all these tips - thanks!
- Palila said...
- I've learned that my machine jams a whole lot less when I remember to put the foot down before starting to sew. I've put a big pink post-it on the front to help remind me! I last had it serviced 6 months ago.
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