Sewing Machine Care & Maintenance 101

Simple habits that help keep your sewing machine running smoothly for years to come.

Your sewing machine is a precision tool with many fast moving parts. Lint, worn needles, old or weak thread, incorrect accessories, and long periods without service and lubrication can all affect how well it performs. The good news is that a few consistent habits can make a meaningful difference. Here are the maintenance practices our Technical Department recommends for everyday sewing, quilting, and embroidery machines.

A little routine care can prevent many common stitch-quality problems. When your machine needs more than at-home maintenance, our technicians are here to help with professional service and repair.

Clean After Every Project

Lint, dust and loose thread collect quickly around the bobbin area, feed dogs, and other moving parts. That buildup can contribute to poor stitch quality and poor fabric feed, and can make a machine work harder than it should.

After each project, unplug the machine, remove the stitch plate and remove lint be vacuuming it out and with a gentle dusting brush. Avoid using canned air inside the machine because it pushes debris farther into areas you cannot easily reach. A small brush is often the better choice for areas the manufacturer recommends you clean.

Every machine is a little different, so your owner's manual should always be the first reference for model-specific cleaning instructions.

Change the Needle Regularly - and Oil Only When Recommended

A dull, bent, or damaged needle can reduce stitch quality, cause skipped stitches, and may damage fabric or the machine. Replacing your sewing machine's needle regularly is one of the easiest and most cost-effective way to keep sewing results consistent.

Some machines require user-applied oil and others do not. Metal bobbins and hooks often require more frequent oiling.  Check the cleaning and servicing section of your owner's manual before adding oil. If oiling is recommended, use only the type and amount specified for your machine. Standard Machine Precision Clear Oiler, and Bernina Machine Percision Oiler.

Oils and grease will dry-up over time, so a machine that has not been used for months really needs to be oiled prior to use.  Machines that sit for years prior to use, should be serviced to address internal lubrication to prevent unnecessary wear and damage.

Use Quality Thread and the Correct Accessories

Thread can weaken with age or sunlight and may become more prone to breakage or lint shedding. Using good-quality brand-name thread that is appropriate for your project and machine can improve stitch formation and reduce unnecessary lint.  Use of the proper needle for your thread type is also important to reduce unnecessary breakage and linting.

Bobbin styles, needles, and presser feet are not universally interchangeable. Using the wrong component can cause frustrating sewing problems and, in some cases, damage. Use the accessories recommended in your manual or by an authorized dealer.

Cover and Unplug Your Machine When It Is Not in Use

A machine cover helps reduce dust and airborne debris between sewing sessions. Whether you use the cover that came with your machine or a handmade one, keeping the machine protected is an easy maintenance habit.

Unplugging your machine when it is not in use also helps protect sensitive electrical components over time and is a good general safety practice.

Firmware Updates

Most modern sewing and embroidery machines have circuit boards and firmware.  Firmware is part of our daily lives in most computerized products.  It is like a set of instructions inside a machine that tells it how to work.  Think about a sewing machine like a robot: The machine is the robot's body and the firmware is a little instruction book stored inside its brain.  Firmware tells your sewing machine what to do when you push buttons, choose stitches, or use special features.

Sometimes the company makes and rolls out a firmware update. That's like giving your machine a new and improved instruction book. The update might fix problems or help the machine do something better.

It is common for manufacturers to push out firmware on newer models.  It is important that you maintain the latest firmware in your machine to ensure it operates at the highest level, and can accommodate the newest accessories and functions.

As part of our Tune-up process, if your machine has outdated firmware we update your machine’s firmware to make sure it has the latest instructions and functions at the highest level for you.

Know When It Is Time for Professional Service

Routine home care is important, but it does not reach every internal area or address every mechanical and electronic issue. Professional tune-ups and repairs allow a trained technician to inspect parts that are not easily accessible at home and correct problems before they become more serious, and apply proper lubrication to the many moving parts within a sewing machine.

Aurora Sewing Center's Technical Department services and repairs all makes and models of sewing, quilting, and embroidery machines. Whether your machine needs a routine tune-up, troubleshooting, adjustment, or repair, our team can help determine the right next step.

 More Than Sewing Machine Repair

Walking Foot Service

Does your Walking Foot or Tractor Foot make a lot of noise when being used.  These specialty feet have several moving parts and pivot points that wear and do need to be serviced from time to time.  We service walking feet to help keep these hardworking accessories lubricated and operating smoothly and feeding fabric as intended.

Scissor Sharpening

Dull scissors can make accurate cutting difficult on the hands and tiring … in addition to frustrating!  Don’t be frustrated, drop your sewing scissors off at Aurora Sewing Center to get them professionally sharpened to restore a clean, efficient cutting edge.

All Makes and Models

Our technicians provide service and repair for all makes and models, including sewing, quilting, and embroidery machines, including industrial sewing machines, multi-needle embroidery machines, sergers, and antique sewing machines too!

Signs Your Machine May Need Service

If basic cleaning, a fresh needle, correct threading, and the proper accessories do not solve the problem, professional service may be the best next step. Common reasons to bring your machine in for service include:

• Persistent skipped stitches, thread breaks, or tension problems
• Unusual noise, vibration, resistance, or changes in how the machine sounds
• Fabric that is not feeding correctly
• Needle strikes or repeated needle breakage
• Error messages or functions that are no longer responding as expected
• A machine that has not been professionally serviced in a long time

 From the Aurora Sewing Center Technical Department

We are here to help you spend less time troubleshooting and more time enjoying sewing. Regular care at home, paired with professional service when needed, is the best way to protect your equipment and keep it performing at its best.

Keep your machine ready for your next project. Drop off your machine during our normal business hours for a SPA Day and professional service or repair with no appointment needed.