embroidery-machine-maintenance

An embroidery machine is a fairly expensive machine, the proper maintenance of an embroidery machine will ensure its longevity. Remember to read the maintenance advice in the user manual of your machine. If you use your machine a lot, an annual review by a professional is strongly recommended. For very moderate use it is not necessary to do it every year (unless your warranty contract requires it) even if a revision can not hurt. It is always better to choose when to carry out the maintenance of your machine rather than breaking down when you absolutely need it.

In any case, regular cleaning by you is essential, especially if you like to use plush yarns and fabrics (cotton yarn, wool, terry cloth, etc.).

Cleaning a machine
For regular cleaning, simply unscrew (or unclip depending on the model of your machine) the needle plate, remove the bobbin case and clean with a brush all the foreign bodies accumulated around the bobbin mechanism. The use of compressed air spray is not recommended for this cleaning, because very often the dirt is moved to the bottom of the machine instead of getting it out!

It is important to reposition the bobbin case correctly after cleaning and screw the plate back on.

Regular needle change
It is difficult to give the lifespan of a machine needle. The latter depends, among other things, on the type of needle, the fabric, the thread used and sometimes even the pattern. For example, a fabric may contain synthetic fibers or metallic threads which will wear out the needle faster than cotton fibers; polyester yarn is more abrasive than viscose yarn; when the needle crosses several layers of embroidery it deteriorates more quickly than when embroidering light patterns…

To determine if the needle needs to be changed, you must first monitor the quality of your work and listen to your machine! A needle, dulled by wear, damages the fabric (less beautiful quality of work). The noise also changes, as the needle has more difficulty penetrating the fabric. Now is the time to change your needle.

A needle change is imperative when the latter hits the needle plate; it is definitely damaged.

Before you start an embroidery project with a delicate fabric, I advise you to change the needle to avoid unpleasant surprises! It is of course very important to choose the appropriate needle (type, size). When you change a needle in good condition for one of another type, remember to store it well so that you can reuse it later, but separately from new needles.
Also consider:
– to check the height of the needle from time to time;
– to tighten the screw which holds it in place, the vibrations of the machine being able to act on it.

To oil or not to oil?
NOPE ! You don’t have to oil your family electronic machine.
Why ?
– if you have your machine serviced by a specialist on a regular basis, you do not have to grease your machine additionally;
– oil must be added to specific places and in adequate quantities, any error in the type of oil, the area treated and the dosage can have harmful consequences on an electronic machine;

You have to listen to your machine. If the noise changes, clean the machine, change the needle and if that does not help, consult a specialist. You may sometimes be advised to put a small drop of oil on the hook or needle bar, but it really has to be ONE DROP of a suitable oil!

In case of jam
Here we are talking about electronic machines. Even if these machines are not particularly fragile, rule n°1 is to never use force!!! If during a jam, you are unable to remove the frame of your embroidery machine, DO NOT FORCE!!! It is better to cut a beautiful fabric than to damage your machine.

Let’s not get angry ! Let’s try to understand the cause. A jam is not a normal event! There is always a problem that must be solved so that it does not reappear when you resume work.

Several causes of jamming are possible in machine embroidery:
1. Lack of stabilization is a fairly common cause. The fabric is pressed into the bobbin case. This often happens with soft or stretchy fabrics. The dense pattern also calls for a stronger stabilizer.
2. Lack of maintenance of the machine is another possible cause. It is important to check that there are no stuck pieces of wire