It is getting to be the time to prepare all my bits and bobs to take to Scrub Stitchin’. I have a big long list that I follow each year, which includes “Clean Sewing Machine, Change Sewing Machine Needle and Put Fresh Blades in Rotary Cutters”. Well my rotary cutters are running quite nicely at the moment, so I’ll leave them be and just take some spare blades in case.
As for my sewing machine, the bottom tension has been a bit strange on my last couple of projects. I do clean my machine regularly, like each month, so why not have a go at giving it a full service and see if that helps. What could go wrong? Hopefully nothing, as I want to use my machine lots while away.
First, find a YouTube tutorial. Surely there will be one. There seems to be one on just about everything. Tick. Show it to Mick, so he can save me when everything goes pear shaped. Tick. Go and buy some high quality grease. Tick. Let’s get set up on the dining table.
My machine is a bit over twenty years old and has only had a few services, the most recent about three or four years ago.
As we started to take the covers off, we propped her up on some books to protect the back.
Once the workings were exposed, I was surprised at how clean she was inside. There was some old grease that had to be wiped off and lots of tiny bits of fluff that were hiding in various nooks and crannies. Cotton buds worked well to get into those hard to access spots.
Mick did come and give me a hand, particularly in doing the greasing, as he is much more familiar with what is required, seeing as that was part of his trade. He also did most of the oiling. Secretly, I think he was happy to be playing along.
That looks a lot better.
All went back together nicely and it was time to see how she sewed, using an old rag. Eeek! Why is the bottom liked this? OK, the first thing is always to rethread. Oh, the bobbin was upside down! That would do it. Doh!
OK, let’s have another go at this with the machine threaded correctly, Ahh, that is so much better and the tension is beautiful. She always runs quietly, but she is lovely and super quiet now.
I’m glad we had a go at giving her a thorough once over and now feel confident to do this rather than have to send her to a technician…..unless there is a problem.
Now she is raring and ready to go to Baradine.
Oh, and have we had a look at Monique’s issues yet? Nope. That will happen one day, but not today.