Sewing Machine Service

I consider myself a pretty loving caretaker of my sewing machine, a Janome 6600P. I clean under and around the bobbin case area in between projects. I mostly use polyester thread so there's less lint build-up. I put a drop of oil on the wick under the bobbin occasionally. I don't sew over pins.

My machine ready for free motion quilting. I'm using painter's tape to patch a few tears from snagging Peltex on the edges of my Supreme Slider.

And yet, I haven't had my machine cleaned and serviced in the nearly 3 years I've had the machine. My dealer provides free servicing for 5 years after the purchase, so I have no excuse. And I have seriously worked this machine with all of my free motion quilting!

I finally took the machine in for a tune up and cleaning even though I wasn't having major issues. It seemd like it sounded a little louder than it used to and was having trouble with thicker threads.

Now I can tell it is quieter and the stitch quality is better. I haven't tried it again with the threads I was having trouble with, as I am working on a customer quilt. But I am definitely glad I took it in. In fact, I'm kicking myself for not doing it sooner, since it did improve things! I was careful to wipe a little excess oil off the needle bar before beginning to quilt.

Pin basting. I swear my pins run off inbetween uses! Had to buy more.

So, when is the last time your machine was serviced? Get it done, you'll be glad you did!