Basic Steps to Preventing Regular Sewing Machine Repairs
If you are an avid fan of DIY sewing projects, undoubtedly you would like to keep your sewing machine in good condition. However, what some people do not realise is that just several hours of intense sewing can cause fuzz, lint and other forms of debris to accumulate in your machine's needle plate. Neglecting to carry out maintenance on your sewing machine on a regular basis will lead to this debris moving around within the machine and posing the risk of premature breakdown. Below are some of the basic steps you could follow to prevent the need for regular sewing machine repairs.
Clean out lint from the sewing machine
The combination of fabric and thread is a surefire way to create lint and fuzz. Although you may clean out lint from the working area, it also has the propensity to make its way into other unseen areas in your machine. This is why it is crucial to take the time to open up your machine once in a while in an attempt to locate the lint and fuzz. Once you have opened up your machine, use a wire brush to clean out the debris from the now visible cracks and crevices.
Some people may choose to blow the lint and fuzz away using their breath. This may seem effective, but you have to note your breath will have some moisture. Therefore, you could be putting your machine at risk of developing corrosion. You would rather use a light-duty vacuum instead that would suck out the lint and fuzz. Lastly, try to develop a habit of cleaning out the sewing machine after every use. This would prolong its lifespan and decrease the chances of the lint and fuzz accumulating over time.
Lubricate the sewing machine
The oil that would use for your sewing machine should not be any kind of oil that you can simply pick up from your garage or local hardware store. Sewing machine oil is typically clear. In addition to this, the oil should have a light viscosity for it to easily lubricate the moving parts of the machine. It should be noted that clear oil that is heavy will end up attracting more lint and fuzz, therefore it is essential to test out your oil to ensure that it is light.
After you are done lubricating the different movable parts, you should then run some stitches onto a scrap of fabric. This functions to eliminate any excess oil that would otherwise drip onto your next sewing project. Regular lubricating of your machine not only keeps the movable parts in good condition, it also is essential in ensuring that surface rust does not begin to develop on the different metallic parts of your machine.
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