Sewing Machine Care
Sewing Machine Care
Sewing Machine Care
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Conten
Title t Slide No.
Session Objectives 4
Introduction 5
Summary 24
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Session
Objectives
The students will be able to:
Explain cleaning procedure of sewing machine
Demonstrate cleaning procedure of sewing machine
State points to be remember while cleaning of sewing
machine
Describe oiling procedure of sewing machine
Demonstrate method for oiling of sewing machine
State points to be remember while oiling of sewing machine
Describe handling of sewing machine
Explain handling of material, tools and equipment
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Introduction
The care and maintenance of sewing machine helps to improve its
working. This consists mainly of cleaning, oiling and right handling of
sewing machine and good quality production. Care and maintenance is
also necessary in order to operate the machine smoothly and for its
long term use. A clean, well-oiled sewing machine is essential for
good output and safety. The maintenance of sewing machine is also
important in preventing stitching faults. When not in use, keep the
machine covered with a suitable cover to prevent dust from settling on
it.
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Cleaning of Sewing Machine
While cleaning the machine, pay attention to the various parts and
attachments of the sewing machine. Before attempting to clean the
machine, it is wise to remove the needle to avoid the danger of sewing
into the finger during the cleaning process.
Material Required:
Flat paintbrush (½” to ¾” wide)
Cleaning solvent or fluid
Soft disposable cloth
Screwdriver
Sewing machine manual
Small handy vacuum cleaner
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All dust and dirt can be removed by wiping the part out carefully with
the cloth, but if the machine is clogged, a more careful cleaning is
necessary.
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Points to be considered while cleaning:
Turn off the sewing machine
Open the slide plate, remove the throat plate also remove the face
plate from the left end of the head.
Any lint, dust or loose threads in the area around the feed dog and
rotary hook, shuttle may be brushed or blown away.
Use a soft, thin and clean cloth to remove any lint on the
machine parts.
Wipe away any excess oil or dust, if you have oiled the machine,
sew on few scraps to remove any excess oil. Wash hands after
cleaning and oiling the machine.
If there is lint between the tension discs and in the thread guide,
use thread to floss the tension discs.
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It is good to clean one area at a time. Remove only those parts that
are detachable, and keep in mind the position and direction of each
part that is removed for cleaning.
Remove all the parts that is, the needle, presser foot, slide plate,
throat plate, bobbin case, and the face plate. Put them in the tray and
soak in cleaning fluid.
Wrap the motor to protect it from oil and cleaning solvent.
To clean the feed dog, needle plate and brush off all lint
deposits to different parts.
To clean the shuttle case, remove all the screws, take out the
shuttle case and wipe its groove free of dirt, and thread bits.
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Use a cloth or small brush to clean near the needle and feed dog.
The bobbin case can be removed from the sewing machine
easily. Use a dry brush to clean out all lint. Remove any thread that
may be wound up around the hook shaft.
Clean the hand wheel, washer, and the shaft. Lubricate the shaft
with two drops of sewing machine oil and place a small amount of
grease on all gears. Reassemble the hand wheel and clutch.
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Note:
Turn the hand wheel manually to expose any areas that might have been
hidden initially. Brush again.
Carefully tilt the machine head back until the head rests on the post
on the back of the table.
Do not use anything hard such as a screwdriver or scissors points, to
remove the lint. Instead, carefully use a pointed instrument like a
needle or pointed tweezers/ plucker to pick out bits of thread and lint
that cannot be brushed out.
When using a screwdriver, apply pressure on the screw, if a screw does
not loosen easily. Soak it in a good quality cleaning fluid available in
the market for the sewing machine. Petrol or kerosene can also be used
as cleaning fluids.
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Check the needle to be sure it is clean and the eye is not
clogged, replace the needle, if necessary.
After properly cleaning these areas, reassemble all the parts of the
sewing machine and run it. Put a piece of fabric under the foot, lower
the presser foot, cover the machine, and pick up any trash.
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Oiling of Sewing
Machine
Always keep your sewing machine well oiled. Use good quality sewing
machine oil. Always remove lint deposits, dust and thread bits before
oiling any part of the machine. In order to operate the machine
smoothly, it essential to oil it repeatedly.
Material required:
Sewing machine manual
Sewing machine oil
Soft disposable cloth
Points to be remember while oiling the sewing machine:
Before oiling, ensure that the sewing machine is turned
off.
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Before oiling, ensure that the sewing machine is turned
off.
Locate oil holes of the sewing machine.
Put one to two drops of oil into each hole.
Wipe off all dust and excess oil from the machine or
table; clean up any spilled oil immediately.
Excess oil is a major problem that can spoil and damage
the fabric. Sew on a few scraps to remove any excess
oil.
Note:
Oil the machine using the directions given in the
machine manual. If a manual is not available, oil the
machine as per the directions of the teacher/instructor.
Too much oil will clog the machine.
Wash hands after oiling the machine. 13
Method for oiling:
When the machine has been completely oiled, wipe away excess oil,
reassemble the machine and run it slowly for 2-3 minutes on a waste
piece of material.
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Note:
If the sewing machine becomes gummed and dirty with oil, put a
drop of kerosene or petrol in each oil hole and at joints, and run it
rapidly for1-2 minutes. Then wipe off the oil that oozes out with a soft
cloth and re-oil the machine.
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Handling of Sewing Machine
Safe handling procedure of sewing machine:
The safe handling procedure of the sewing machine involves:
(a) Setting up of the sewing machine
(b) Adopting safety measures before starting sewing
(c) Adopting safety measures during sewing
(a) Setting up of the sewing machine:
(i) Position the machine on a hard flat surface.
(ii) Select and install the needle securely into the needle bar.
(iii) Select the suitable thread according to the type of fabric to be used.
(iv) Wind the thread into the bobbin.
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(v) Following the thread guide, thread the machine from the spool
pin to the needle.
(vi) Set the machine of required stitch length.
(vii) Balance the thread tension on the sewing machine (adjust the
upper tension in relation to the lower tension).
(b) Adopting safety measures before starting sewing:
(viii)Cord must be in good condition. After every use, turn the
machine off or unplug it.
(ix) Lighting should be proper
(x) Keep the feet off the treadle when setting or threading the needle.
(xi) Use the hand wheel to move the needle to its highest
position while the fabric is placed for sewing.
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(c) Adopting safety measures before starting sewing:
(i) Practise on a scrap material to check against oil stains, etc.
(ii) If the sewing machine makes some abnormal sounds or seems
louder than usual, get it checked by a technical expert.
(iii) Sew at a slow, steady pace and use a needle guard to protect
the fingers.
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Handling of Material, Tools and
Equipment
Handling of Material:
(i) Select appropriate needle, thread and stitch length suitable for the
different type of fabrics.
(ii) Make a trial stitch on the waste fabric to avoid oil stains.
(iii)Take care to set the presser foot in a way so as hold the fabric in
place.
(iv)While sewing slippery fabrics it is advisable, use lining to give
firmness to the slippery fabrics.
Care and handling of tools and equipment:
i. Measuring Tape: The tape should be clean to check the accuracy of the
markings. After each use, the measuring tape should be rolled or
wrapped and kept in a clean box. 20
ii. Sewing Gauge: It is a sliding marker helps to keep the measurements
uniform. Do not allow the metal gauges to get bent.
iii.Pin cushions: Select a standard pin cushion filled with fine sand, so
that the abrasion of fillers may prevent the pins from dust and
getting rusted.
iv. Hand sewing needles: It is advisable to purchase hand sewing needles
of good quality stainless steel material to prevent them from rusting.
The needle should always be kept in a dry and clean case. To avoid
damage to the point of the needle, it should not be pressed or pricked
on a hard surface.
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v. Sewing needle threader: It is used for threading needle easily and
quickly. Being very small, it should be kept carefully in a small box to
avoid any damage.
vi. Seam ripper: It is used to remove the fine stitches and to pick out
single threads. Keep the seam ripper sharp and clean, and use it only
for sewing tasks. Keep it covered when not in use.
vii.Dressmaking shears: Use the shear for cutting fabrics and soft
material only. Keep the blades sharp and clean.
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viii. Pressing cloth: A press cloth is essential to protect the fabric from
direct contact with a hot iron. It should always be clean and oil free
for protecting the garment from oil and dust.
ix. Hams and sleeve rolls: They are wonderful for pressing curves.
They should always be clean and oil free.
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Summary
In this session, you have learnt about the cleaning and oiling
of sewing machine, handling of machine & handling and care
of material, tools and equipment.
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