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How to Get the Bobbin Working on Your Sewing Machine

When oily dust and lint accumulate around the bobbin and its casing, sewing machines may not operate freely. Any lock-stitch or treadle machine benefits from periodic cleaning and maintenance of the bobbin area. All bobbins can be removed from their sewing machine. Find the machine name and model to locate an instruction book to guide you in specifics about removing the bobbin. Getting rid of lint and thread remnants results in a working bobbin.

Things You'll Need

Flashlight
Small screwdriver
Tweezers
Narrow, soft nylon brush
Can of pressurized air
Needle
Pointed tool
Fine sewing machine oil
Soft rag

Instructions

- 1
  Unplug your sewing machine and place it in a well-lit area. Keep a flashlight handy for peering into the sewing machine.
- 2
  Take the needle, presser foot, bobbin case and slide plate off of the sewing machine. As you remove pieces, note their position so you can replace them correctly. Use a small screwdriver with a blade that fits the size of screw you encounter.
- 3
  Take any lint and thread ends out of the bobbin area. Use tweezers too pick up small pieces of debris that are stuck or wound around the bobbin working parts.
- 4
  Brush the bobbin casing and under the needle plate, with a narrow soft nylon brush or blow it away with a can of pressurized air.
- 5
  Clean out oil holes with a sharp needle or other pointed tool.
- 6
  Turn the sewing machine handwheel by hand, as you squirt fine sewing machine oil into oil holes and any places where parts rub against each other.
- 7
  Wipe excess oil off of the sewing machine with a soft cloth. Replace all pieces back in their original locations.

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