A little photo illustration for you today ... I'm pretty diligent about keeping my machine clean. I don't use canned air to blow lint out, rather I use a small vacuum attachment, and I do this often. My machine was cleaned out just before I started quilting the 32" x 40" baby quilt that I showed yesterday. (p.s. the baby quilt is finished, will be shown soon!)
Check it out ~ this was only after approximately 4 bobbins of thread, and free motion quilting, which I do find makes a lot more lint than regular sewing or quilting with a walking foot.
Crazy hey?? And now, the after ~
Ahhh, much better, no??
If this is how much lint was produced after only 4 bobbins, imagine the lint that would be accumulated after 4 or 5 or more projects! And for the record, this was with Aurifil thread, my fave.
So when was the last time you cleaned out your sewing machine?
14 comments:
Oh gosh, I rarely clean mine. Yikes! I want to go do it RIGHT NOW!
I've only had my sewing machine for about 8 months (I was using my MILs machine for about 6 months) and I haven't cleaned it yet. Hmmmmmmm I'm thinking you gave me some cleaning inspiration, lol!
holy lint! lol. i clean mine out a few times a year, and there's barely anything in there so i don't know if it's even worth it - but other ppl are diligent like you and have lots to clean out! i don't know if it's my machine or what, because i just use coats & clark reg cotton thread for piecing...nothing fancy.
Could you show a picture of the vacuum and/or attachment you use? I clean often but have only used a pipe cleaner.
The last quilt I did took a ridiculous amount of bobbins (insane, really) and I've been pretty good about cleaning it out every half dozen-ish but so far, I'm limited to the little brush that came with it. I, too, would be interested to know what attachment you use for your machine. I have a couple of spots that the little tiny brush just won't reach...
Mine always looks so scary when I open it up. I really need to clean it more often.
Funny that I just posted almost the same image on my blog as of my machine.. I had to send it to the shop though.. I think there are some lint cuaght up somewhere I can't find cause it keeps making knocking noises..
Wondering what kind of thread you are using - some brands 'make' less lint. I clean mine every week or so - whenever I've done alot of nonstop sewing! And before I start a new project I usually clean it all out (I do spray) and put in a fresh needle...
Oh wow! That's a crazy amount of lint! Are your bobbins super big? I clean under the foot plate and the bobbin casing area with a brush and tweezers every couple of days :)
Wow! I had to do exactly the same thing yesterday after the bobbin case was pushed out of its place! Luckily all okay now.
I clean mine out quite regularly but just use the little brush it came with. What kind of attachment do you have for your vacuum? I was thinking of trying to rig something up for mine to make it easier and cleaner.
My machine is all mechanical so I have to oil and clean the lint pretty regularly or it lets me know it's not happy. ;) I should invest in one of those vacuum attachments.
Guess I'm lucky. I rarely clean mine out and it's never looked like this. I just give it a gentle blow when I change each bobbin.
Wow! That is some lint!!!!
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