How to Care for a Sewing Machine

Cleaning the Bobbin Area

• 1

  Turn off and unplug the sewing machine.

• 2

  Remove the bobbin cover and the bobbin.

• 3

  Using a small lint brush (many machines come with one), carefully remove any lint from the bobbin area. Be especially sure to remove any lint from crevices and tight places, since compacted lint can actually stop the machine from running.

• 4

  Using the lint brush or canned air, remove the lint from the area around the needle, the presser foot and the thread guides.

• 5

  Remove any lint from the inside of the doors and lids of the sewing machine.

• 6

  Replace the bobbin and the bobbin cover.

• 7

  Plug the sewing machine back in and turn it on.

Replace a Worn or Broken Needle

• 8

  Loosen the screw the holds the needle in place.

• 9

  Carefully remove the worn or broken needle.

• 10

  Insert the rounded end of the replacement needle into the needle holder.

• 11

  If the needle head does not fit in the needle holder, you may need to rotate it. Many needle heads and holders are flat on one side. When the flat sides line up, the needle should slide into the holder.

• 12

  Tighten the screw until the needle is firmly in place.

Replace the Light Bulb

• 13

  Turn off the sewing machine.

• 14

  Unplug the sewing machine.

• 15

  Open the light bulb cover. On many machines, you simply need to open a door. For others, you may need to unscrew and remove the cover.

• 16

  Gently hold the bulb and twist it to the left to unscrew it.

• 17

  Insert the replacement bulb and twist it to the right until it’s fully in place.

• 18

  Close the light bulb cover (or reattach it).

• 19

  Plug the sewing machine back in and turn it on.