Sewing machines

This page covers the maintenance of domestic sewing machines.

Summary

Older sewing machines are virtually indestructible and with simple maintenance can continue to give good service almost indefinitely. Newer machines often have plastic parts which wear out quite quickly. Nevertheless, all machines can give longer service, properly cared for.

Safety

Always unplug from the mains before staring any maintenance or repair work, in order to eliminate the risk of electric shock or physical injury from moving parts.

Sewing machine oil is highly flammable and can be ignited by overheating parts.

Older machines, particularly can weigh as much as 20kg. Take care when lifting or when tipping over to service the under side.

Warning

On no account use anything but sewing machine oil to lubricate the mechanism. Do not use WD40, or 3-in-1, or bicycle oil, or engine oil, or olive oil, or vaseline, or snake oil, or peanut butter. None of these are sewing machine friendly.

Sewing Machine Principles

Regular users of a sewing machine will be familiar with its operation and can skip this section, which is provided for occasional users or those simply faced with a non-working machine.

Common problems and solutions

Machine seized up

After many years of disuse a machine may completely seize up. Lubricate thoroughly as described under Maintenance. You may have to leave the oil for a while in order to ease the parts and repeat several times, wiping away any excess.

Snagging or breaking thread

First of all, if you have disassembled anything, make sure you have reassembled it correctly and that you can turn the hand wheel freely. Ensure the needle isn't bent and that it feels smooth as you run it between your fingers from the shank to the tip.

Make sure the machine is threaded correctly. If you don't have a printed instruction booklet, look on the Internet for instructions for the same or a similar model. On some machines you thread the needle from left to right, and from right to left on others. It's important to get it right.

Ensure the bobbin is threaded and fitted correctly. The bobbin carrier has a sharp point which catches the top thread. Problems can result if this has been roughened by needle strikes. Smooth it with fine emery as described under Maintenance.

Poor speed control

If nothing happens when you press the foot pedal a little, but the machine races when you press it just a little more then it will be very hard to sew successfully. The foot pedal may simply need lubricating. On older machines this will contain a rheostat, which is a variable resistance wired in series with the motor. Newer machines will more likely have an electronic speed control similar to a dimmer switch.

First, double check that it's not still plugged in. You will need to examine it to determine how to disassemble it. Do not use sewing machine oil, but rather any light lubricating oil, or grease on sliding parts, and keep oil and grease away from all electrical contacts.