27 August, 2014

Take Good Care



Think of this post as a public service announcement.  If you want optimum results from your sewing machine you need to take good care of it... we all know that, but how often do you actually clean and oil your favorite machine? I clean out the bobbin area (don't forget the bobbin case too, lint lurks in there and can wreak havoc with your thread tension) every week if I am not sewing all that much; more often if I am logging in marathon sewing sessions or sewing with flannel. The amount of extracted lint shown is normal for me on a weekly basis. If you can't remember the last time you changed your machine needle do that too; don't wait until you break one or stitches start skipping, your piecing will be more precise when you use a sharp needle. After a good brushing out and a few drops of oil and your weekly maintenance is done! Mark your calendar as a reminder.
Take good care of your machine and it will take good care of you.  Block #5  "Stars and Checkerboard" from The Quilt Block Bible by Rosemary Youngs.

Life is Good!
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10 comments:

  1. lindseyAugust 27, 2014 12:28 PM

    Thanks for the reminder!

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  2. StitchinByTheLakeAugust 27, 2014 12:41 PM

    Great advice! I'm a bit OCD about cleaning out the lint...it just makes a difference in the way my machine sews. Blessings, Marlene

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  3. Janet O.August 27, 2014 1:07 PM

    Good reminder. I really need to change my needle!
    That is a very pretty block. Are you making a whole quilt of them?

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  4. Paula, the quilterAugust 27, 2014 1:17 PM

    This is so very important! I clean out every time I change a bobbin.

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  5. NanaNor'sAugust 27, 2014 2:35 PM

    I do clean out my bobbin area, but not weekly. I will start being ore aware if this-I love my baby lock and want to be be trouble free. Thanks for this post! Hugs, Noreen

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  6. cityquilter graceAugust 27, 2014 3:01 PM

    wise words indeed.....love the block!

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  7. Kathy ... aka NanaAugust 27, 2014 5:38 PM

    Good advice. I am good to remember to change the needle but cleaning? Not so much. I will clean it out tomorrow before I resume piecing on my spiral log cabin.

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  8. Carrie P.August 27, 2014 8:39 PM

    we all need that reminder. I really try to clean mine very often.

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  9. MarieAugust 28, 2014 4:51 AM

    Thanks for the great reminder! Have a beautiful day. Hugs,Marie

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  10. 45th Parallel QuilterAugust 28, 2014 7:18 AM

    Good post about machine cleanliness ... which I have to admit I am pretty good about. Just got Rosemary Youngs Quilt Bible ... are you making a quilt using her blocks or just "playing around" with a few assorted ones? VERY nice book and CD .... you can tell a lot of work went into this one.

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