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A few tips and tricks to help you troubleshoot your machine!


Tip 1

Replace the needle in your machine after about eight hours of sewing.
Replace titanium needles in your machine after about fourteen hours of sewing.
Why: The needle could be slightly bent after that much sewing.   It will most likely be dull which causes skipped stitches or a popping sound (like the needle is popping through your fabric).


Tip 2

If your machine is skipping stitches, change the needle first and try to sew on it.  If it is still skipping stitches, it means that your machine is out of timing so you'll need to bring it in to see us.


Tip 3

All machines need oil.
Why: Machines have many metal-on-metal moving parts which, if not oiled regularly, will create a loud annoying sound and will eventually seize up your whole machine. 
How often: At least once a year no matter how often you sew.  If you sew a lot, oil your machnie more often.  You can oil your machine too much, if you see excess oil inside your machine or if oil is getting on your fabric, then you are oiling it too much.  The frequency that you oil your machine is something that is different for each person and something that you'll need to work out personally with your machine!



Tip 4

Tune up your machine at least once a year.  If you sew a lot, twice a year would be good for it.  This is something that you can't do yourself so bring it in to see us and we'll take good care of it!



Tip 5

Machines that have been sitting for some time should always be oiled before using them.
Why: Over time, oil turns to a gummy substance instead of being a lubricant.  This gummy stuff will cause your machine to run rough, bind up, and could lead to your whole machine seizing up (which means you'd have to bring it in to see us).



Tip 6

For those of you that have BERNINA 8 Series Machines, this is how you thread the bobbin...





Tip 7

If your bobbin sensor isn't working, re-thread your bobbin case.  If that doesn't work, try checking to see if there's a build up of lint in the bobbin case or in your hook system.  Clean out the lint and see if the sensor starts working. If it still isn't working, bring it in to see us because you could have a bad sensor.
 


Tip 8

~ Excess Lint ~
Like we said above, too much lint in your bobbin case or in your hook system could cause your bobbin sensor
to stop working.
Other excess lint problems include:
If too much lint gets caught in between the gears in your machine, it will cause your machine to seize up.
Excess lint under your needle plate will cause your feed dogs not to rise, resulting in fabric feeding problems.
Here are a few examples of excess lint in machines.  Eww!










Tip 9

Always make sure that you have your bobbin wound right. 
Excess thread (see below... oh my!) can mess up your machine big time! 
Check often for any loose thread and remove it from your machine.








Tip 10

~ Needle Threader Problems ~
If you have needle threader problems, replace needle and thread again. Make sure the needle bar is in proper position when threading. If your machine is computerized take one stitch and let the machine stop in the threading position on its own. Check to make sure the needle is all the way up in the machine before threading. A bent needle or needle that is not all the way up can bend or break the needle threader.


We hope these tips help you with troubles you may be having. 
We'll be adding new tips when we think of them so check back often!

Happy sewing!!