| "Just a drop of oil is all it needs." This statement is not | | | | of oil in the bobbin area of your machine. This keeps |
| only very true with your sewing machines and sergers, | | | | the bobbin case running smoothly when the top thread |
| but also for your scissors. | | | | loops around the bobbin to form a stitch. Many times |
| Sewing machine oil is needed to keep your sewing | | | | when I am teaching and someone is having trouble |
| machine running in tip-top shape. Be sure to use oil | | | | with thread breaking, the first thing I will suggest is oiling |
| designated for sewing machines and sergers. Do not | | | | the machine. This of course is not the only cause for |
| use multi-purpose oils or WD-40; these may be | | | | thread breakage, but usually fixes the problem half of |
| harmful to your machine. As a general rule, place a | | | | the time. |
| drop or two of oil in the places where metal parts rub | | | | After oiling your machine, always sew several rows of |
| against each other. The most common area that | | | | stitches with a scrap of fabric. This will pick up the |
| needs to be oiled is in the bobbin and hook area. Other | | | | excess oil. If you start sewing on your project, you will |
| places may include the bobbin winding mechanism and | | | | likely end up with oil on the thread which transfers and |
| oil ports. Refer to your sewing machine manual for | | | | spreads to the fabric. If this does happen refer to |
| oiling instructions and illustrations. Most newer | | | | "How did that stain appear?" for tips on removing oil |
| computerized machines do not need to be oiled in as | | | | stains. |
| many places as older models. | | | | Your sewing shears and thread snippers are another |
| How often should you oil your machine? Many of the | | | | item in your sewing room that may need a drop of oil. |
| newer, computerized machines are set up with a time | | | | Try dropping a tiny amount of oil in the screw |
| scheduled message to alert you when to oil your | | | | assembly of your scissors. Open the blades and place |
| machine. After so many stitches, the machine will | | | | a drop of oil between the blades. Open and close the |
| display a message telling you that your machine is in | | | | blades several times and let the oil set in the scissors |
| need of a drink. The basic rule is: the more you use | | | | for a couple of minutes. Wipe the screw assembly |
| your machine, the more you need to oil it. Most sewing | | | | and blades clean with a dry cloth. Be sure to cut |
| machine dealers recommend every 10-12 hours of | | | | several fabric scraps to eliminate the excess oil. You |
| stitching. Listen to your machine as it is stitching. If it is | | | | should oil your scissors several times a year. This will |
| sounding a bit clunky and noisy, give it a drop of oil. | | | | reduce the friction between the blades, making them |
| That just may be what it needs. If in any doubt about | | | | easier to cut through fabric. It also keeps your scissors |
| oiling your machine, consult your sewing machine | | | | cutting smoother and lasting longer. |
| dealer. | | | | It is just amazing what a drop of oil can do!! |
| If your thread is breaking frequently, try placing a drop | | | | |