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Proper maintenance of a sewing machine is essential in ensuring it works correctly and minimises the risk of any issues arising with the machine. With proper care and maintenance, a sewing machine should run smoothly and work efficiently for a very long time.
The first step is ensuring your sewing machine is set up correctly. When first purchased, making sure all the parts work and the machine is up to standards helps to minimise the risk of issues later down the line.
If there are any issues with the machine straight out of the box, it is essential that you have them fixed as soon as possible in order to allow your machine to run as efficiently as possible and to minimise the risk of it becoming damaged or ineffective.
Once set up, regular cleaning is important in ensuring it runs smoothly. Sewing machines can collect dust and other debris such as pieces of fabric, loose threads and other small materials while in use.
These should be regularly removed and cleaned away to prevent build-up which can clog areas of the machine and may lead it to stop working properly.
It is also important that you clean and maintain each part of the machine regularly. One of the main parts which need regular checking is the needle. Needles can blunt over time and therefore changing them out regularly is essential.
An industrial sewing machine puts in a lot of work, therefore needles will need to be changed more often than a hobby sewing machine would need to. A dull needle can lead to poor stitching which compromises the quality of your project or product, so a sharp needle is essential.
Another key step in sewing machine maintenance is to ensure the machine is oiled. Some machines require oil to work correctly and therefore this should be done regularly. Checking the manual to determine whether this is necessary is essential.
Oiling the machine helps to keep the parts running smoothly and stops them from sticking, therefore keeping on top of this is important in preventing any hiccups or issues.
Another tip in helping to keep your machine in the best condition is to avoid overworking the machine. If a sewing machine is used consistently for long periods of time without stopping, it can overheat which can cause various issues.
By taking a break every so often or switching to a different machine periodically, you can extend the lifespan of the machine and help to avoid overworking the motor and causing the machine to overheat and break.
Storing the machine correctly when not in use is essential as well. Needles should be removed if the machine is being stored for a long period of time and it should be covered and safely put away. Covering the machine helps to prevent it from getting dusty or dirty.
You should always handle the machine with care and consideration, when in use and when not in use, to prevent damage.
