Keep it Humming: Maintaining Your Sewing Machine

In today's marketplace, the sewing enthusiast may spend hundreds, or even thousands, for a brand-new sewing machine. From a basic appliance to fully-computerized system, this is a capital investment. How can you keep yours humming along in good form?

Notions Count

Sewing machines can be costly, particularly if you opted for extra stitches, attachments, or embroidery capabilities. You will want to protect your investment by purchasing and using high-quality notions.

1) Thread

Be sure to buy quality threads. Cheap thread is no bargain, as it can destroy your machine from within with fraying, knots, and uneven fibers. Those spools in the close-out bins at the fabric store are usually not a good deal at all.

2) Needles

Sewing machine needles must be replaced regularly. If your needle accidentally hits a button, snap, zipper, or straight pin, while you are sewing, then you should replace it. Dented, blunted, or bent needles not only fray delicate fabrics and shred threads, but they can also destroy your stitch plate and engine mechanism.

Knit and woven fabrics require different needles, as do varying weights and textures of fabric. Sewing machine needles are usually color-coded, so you can quickly identify the correct choice for each project.

3) Bobbins

While you are at the sewing store, it might be a good idea to pick up some new bobbins and needles. These need to be replaced fairly often, to prevent tangling threads and unnecessary friction inside the machine. Bobbins are inexpensive; they may be metal or plastic. This is a simple way to boost machine performance.

4) Magnetic items

Some pincushions and seam guides are magnetic. If your machine is computerized, magnetic devices may be a bad idea. (Keep magnets away from your sewing software as well.)

Keep it clean

Dust and lint are the chief contributors to sewing machine failure. Minimizing these will streamline your sewing.

Every time you sew, you will want to use a soft, clean cloth to wipe down all surfaces of the machine. (Fabric softener sheets work well.)