Perform Basic Maintenance

• Tips to Make Your Sewing Work Easier:

  • Prepare and set up the proper tools and supplies for cleaning and maintenance.
  • Always observe a good working posture.
  • Thread the sewing machine correctly.
  • Set up the needle according to the model of your machine.
  • Set the stitch regulator according to project specifications and test the stitches for possible adjustments.
  • Turn the power off when the sewing machine is not in use.
  • Put sewing tools in a cabinet.
• Steps for Sewing Machine

  1. Maintenance
  2. Cleaning your sewing machine
  3. Oiling your sewing machine
• (Maintenance) Follow precautionary measures to make a machine last longer.

  • Cover the machine when not in use.
  • Use appropriate thread and needle.
  • The power source should be good enough for the machine.
  • Read the sewing machine manual.
  • Check the bobbin case before sewing.
• General Cleaning of a Sewing Machine

  • Take out all removable parts in order to clean the machine thoroughly.
  • Remove the needle, presser foot, slide plate, throat plate, bobbin case, and faceplate.
  • Put them in a pan and cover them with cleaning fluid.
  • Unplug the machine. Wrap the motor and wire with plastic wrap to protect them from oil and cleaning solvent.
• Cleaning the Machine Head

  1. With a sharp pointed tool, clean out all oil holes.
  2. To remove any remaining dirt and oil, dip a cloth or brush in cleaning fluid and scrub all parts of the machine that can be reached.
  3. Use a pointed instrument to dig or scrape away any remaining gummed dirt or lint in the feed dog, around the bobbin case, and in other areas.
  4. Check the lower tension of the bobbin case and the upper thread tension discs.
• Bobbin and Hook Area

  • Lint is the primary offender in this area.

  1. The bobbin case can be removed on all makes of machines. Use a dry brush to clean out all the lint.
  2. Remove any thread that may be wound up around the hook shaft.
  3. The hook assembly can also be removed for complete cleaning on most machines.
  4. Place one drop of oil on the exterior perimeter of the hook and the bobbin race (the ledge that the hook sits on) to lubricate them after cleaning.
• Face Plate Area

  1. Remove the screws; the plate can be easily removed to clean the needle and presser foot bars.
  2. Use a dry brush to clean out all lint and other foreign materials.
  3. A small piece of cloth with a little solvent can clean the needle bar and presser bar of any gummy grease.
  4. Place a drop or two of oil on each shaft where it slides through the housing. Oil all other moving parts according to your instruction book before replacing the faceplate.
• Handwheel Area

  1. To remove the clutch and handwheel, loosen the small screw in the face of the locknut.
  2. Unscrew the clutch and remove the washer and handwheel.
  3. Take note of the position of the washer so you can put it back in the same position.
  4. The handwheel should slide off the shaft easily.
  5. Replace the parts you have removed and skip this area.
  6. Clean the handwheel, washer, and shaft.
  7. Lubricate the shaft with two drops of oil and place a small amount of grease on all gears.
  8. Reassemble the handwheel and clutch.
  9. Note: Do not plug the machine on until all the cleaning fluid is dry.
• Oiling the sewing machine

  • Check your manual for oiling the sewing machine.
  • Allow the machine to stand overnight so excess cleaning fluid can evaporate before oiling and lubricating it.
  • Do not use cooking oil or hair oil.
  • Sew with some scraps after you have oiled them to avoid getting those oil stains on the clothes you will be sewing.
  • Wipe the machine with a fresh cloth after putting in the oil.

  Note: Do not oil the tension discs, the handwheel release, or the belts and rubber rings on any machine.
• Steps in Oiling

  1. Squirt a little oil in the holes designated and on all parts that rub against or within one another.
  2. Run the machine by hand to distribute the oil into all the bearings.
  3. Use oil freely because all oil has been removed in the cleaning process.
  4. If there are any wool or felt pads that feed oil to parts, be sure they are well-oiled.

  Note: Place one or two drops of oil in all holes designated by the instruction booklet.
• Adjusting the Machine Needle

  • Make sure to use the correct needle length.
  • Use the needle length or number recommended in your manual.
  • Use a needle with a diameter suitable for the fabric and thread size you intend to sew on.
  • Be sure the needle is straight and does not have a dull point or burr.
  • Choose needles for special fabrics, such as a ballpoint needle for knits and a wedge needle for leather.
• Adjusting the Machine Needle Plate (Throat Plate)

  • The needle plate with a round hole is used for straight stitching, while the elongated hole is for a zigzag stitch.
  • A proper needle plate should be used to avoid skipped stitches while doing straight stitches, especially with synthetic fabrics.
  • If there are rough places on the needle throat plate, remove them with an emery paper or a cloth.
• Adjusting the Machine Feed Dog

  • The teeth on the feed dog should project above the needle plate. The bottom of the teeth (serrations) should be level with the top of the needle plate when the feed dog moves the material before the needle makes the next stitch.
  • The standard setting of a stitch is 10 to 12 stitches per inch of seam.
  • It should be a shorter stitch for fine and thin material, with 14 to 16 stitches per inch of seam.
  • For sewing leather or vinyl, do a longer stitch, with 6 to 10 stitches per inch of seam.
• Adjusting the Machine Presser Foot

  • The presser foot should have enough pressure to keep the fabric intact on the feed dog to attain a uniform length of stitching.
  • Heavy fabrics need light pressure.
  • Pressure can be adjusted by pushing down the inner pin (increasing) or releasing an outer ring (decreasing), and some have thumb screws for pressure regulation.
• Threading the Machine

  Order of the threading in the upper part:

  1. Spool pin
  2. Upper thread guide
  3. Between metal discs of tension
  4. Thread take-up lever
  5. Lower thread guide
  6. Needle
• Types of Common Machine Troubles

  1. Minor Sewing Machine Troubles
  2. Major Sewing Machine Troubles
• Minor Sewing Machine Troubles


  These refer to problems involving incorrectly attached accessories or supplies, unadjusted tensions, or requiring a little dusting or oiling.
• Major Sewing Machine Troubles


  These involve replacing or removing damaged spare parts that render the sewing machine inoperable.
• Machine Troubles

  • Machine runs noisily.
  • Machine rotates heavily.
  • Needle thread breaks
  • Stitches skip
  • Stitches loop
  • Upper thread breaks
  • Lower or under thread breaks
  • Seams pucker
  • Fabric does not move
  • Fabric jams in machine