Sewing Machines

The most frequently asked questions that I get involve using or choosing a sewing machine.  Here are some helpful tips that I hope you can use.

Read Your Manual

One of the easiest ways to get the most out of your sewing machine as well as avoid common problems is to read the sewing machine manual whenever you get a new machine. Keep your sewing machine manual handy for reference.

Protect your manual and other important sewing machine papers or documents by putting them in a plastic zip bag or envelope so they don’t get lost.  Write the date and place of purchase on your manual along with the model number, etc. in case you ever need it.

Practice new stitches and techniques. Keep a notebook with the sample stitches and machine settings for each.  Put this in the bag/envelope with the sewing machine manual.

Carefully read and follow the instructions in the section on care and maintenance.

If you don’t have a sewing machine manual, you might be able to find one online or at your local dealer.  Check with your sewing machine company.  You need to know the model of your machine.

Choosing a Dealership

A good dealer will teach you how the machine works and be there to service the machine when you have problems. Shop around and find a reputable dealer to help you choose the right machine for your needs. Find out if the retailer can get parts and accessories for your machine that you may need in the future.

Also, check with the dealer to see if they offer any sewing lessons on how to best use and take care of your machine.   Be sure to follow-up and take advantage of these lessons so you can learn all the features of your sewing machine.

Oil Your Machine

Nearly all sewing machines need to be oiled from time to time. This should be done after every eight or so hours of sewing time. Only use oil specifically manufactured for sewing machines. Do not use any other kind of oil, you could ruin your machine.  Check your machine manual or with your sewing machine dealer for instructions on how to oil your particular sewing machine.

Note:  Some sewing machines do NOT require oil.  Please check with your dealer and sewing machine manual. 

Clean Your Machine

Clean your sewing machine frequently.  Remove all lint build-up at least after every project.  However, depending on the fabric that you use, you may have to clean the machine several times during a project.  Check your manual or dealer to learn how to keep your machine clean.

Change Your Needle

Change your needle frequently.  Usually, it is recommended that you replace your needle after about eight hours of sewing time.   

Do NOT use blunt or bent needles.  If you hit something with the needle, replace it with a new one.  It isn’t worth the risk of messing up your machine.

Use the right size needle for the machine and your project.

Buy good quality sewing machine needles.

Sewing Machine Height

If your machine sets on top of a table, the table height needs to be lower than if you have a sewing machine cabinet with a recessed area that the machine sets in. The bed of your machine should be 25-29 inches high. The depth of the sewing table should be at least 20 inches.

Quality Thread

It’s amazing how often that “junk” thread is the culprit of so many sewing machine problems. 

Use good quality thread in your sewing machine. Inexpensive thread tends to fray and produce more lint that ends up inside the sewing machine.  Bargain thread is NOT a bargain.  It could ruin your machine and cost you lots of sewing machine repair bills besides oodles of sewing frustration.

Spend a little more on good thread and save on repairs.

Annual Servicing

If you sew a lot, you should have your sewing machine serviced more frequently to keep it running smoothly.  Even if you sew very little, you should have your sewing machine serviced at least once every two years because the oil dries out and gets gummy.

Although most manufacturers suggest having only trained technicians service the inside portions of sewing machines, as long as you’re careful there really isn’t any reason why you can’t clean these areas yourself on a regular basis.  However, to keep your machine in balance, you should take it in to a professional for service and general tune-up the same as you do your car.

Check out “How To Repair Your Sewing Machine”  Learn sewing machine repair as a home business or for yourself.

Used Machines

Used machines can be a good option if you are on a limited budget. Many sewing machine dealers take trade-ins and have a selection of used machines. When purchasing a used machine, make sure it has been serviced and tested by a qualified technician. Also, be sure that your used machine comes with an instruction manual.

Many sewing enthusiasts trade-in their older machines when the newest models come out.  You can take advantage of this and get some great machines that have’nt been used very much.

Choosing The Brand And The Model

What brand and model of sewing machine you should buy is strictly a matter of personal choice.  Decide what you want to do with the machine; what functions you want it to perform; what price range, etc. 

The most important deciding factor for me is the dealer’s location.  The priority for me is to have good service at a local shop where I can go somewhere near my home and I don’t have to send my machine away.  Besides, I like to support my local shops to help keep them in business.  I like their personal touch.

If you don’t have a local dealer, you might want to check out different models online.  All-Brands.com is a good resource.

Educate Yourself 

Since sewing machines can range in price from about $150 to over $6,000, it is a good idea to educate yourself before your invest.

Everyone has his/her own opinion on what brand/model is the best sewing machine.  It is usually the one they have.  There is nothing wrong with that, but their machine may not be the right one for you.  Most sewing sites and forums offer their personal opinions on sewing machines.  If you really want to check out some professional sewing machine reviews, go to ConsumerSearch.com

Hope you found this information helpful.  If you have something to add, please do so in the Comments.

To Your Sewing Success,

Marian

www.1ststeptosewingsuccess.com

Sewing Machines  

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Tags: sewing, sewing tips, sewing techniques, sewing projects, how to sew, sew,

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 25th, 2006 at 4:01 pm and is filed under Sewing Tips. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.