bring the monkey

With February, love is in the air. Right?

So tell me, exactly when’s the last time you showed your sewing machine some love? That long?

May I share ten ways to love your dear workhorse of a machine?

1. Read your sewing machine manual. Cover to cover. A few pages at night. You’ll probably be amazed at all your machine does.

2. Keep your machine well oiled. Oil it every 8-10 hours of actual sewing or once a month when it’s not being used. Refer to your manual (you know – the one you’ve read from cover to cover) to know where and how much to oil. I always sew a few stitches on a small scrap of fabric to absorb any excess.

3. Brush your machine. You like it on your scalp. Your machine likes it too. Plus, if you keep it as free of lint as possible, it runs smoother. Most machines come with a little brush to do the job, if not, a make-up brush works well. Remove the needle plate to clean lint from the feed dogs, under the needle plate and in the shuttle area of the bobbin. Don’t use canned air as it can push debris further into the machine.

4.  Shine it. Wipe the surface of your machine with a clean, soft, damp cloth. Don’t use abrasives. Never use alcohol or solvents on your machine.

5. Store it right. Avoid exposure to extreme temperatures. Never keep it in a damp basement or an overheated attic. Cover your machine when not in use to keep dust and lint to a minimum.

6. Use a surge protector. Unplug your machine when not in use. For safety reasons, this is also true when cleaning and oiling your machine.

7. You know this if you’re a seamstress or quilter – but don’t push or pull fabric while sewing. Your hands are for guidance – not force.

8. Change your needles after ever 4-6 hours of actual sewing time. Use the right needle for the fabric you’re using.

9. Don’t sew over pins. I don’t care if you think you can. Don’t do it. Not only will it blunt or dull your needles, it can also cause timing problems if your needle hits a pin hard enough to affect the alignment of the needle bar.

10. Give the ole’ girl a birthday check-up.  A regular trip to the dealer for professional cleaning, adjusting and lube job will make her feel and work like new.

Show your machine some love and she’ll give you years of creative fun!

Now go have a cookie. Like these from bakeat350.blogspot.com. Good work.

Just don’t get the crumbs in your machine.