I just responded to "embarassed" about cleaning and oiling sewing machines. (It's the really long answer.) I realized that I am extremely lucky to be married to a sewing machine mechanic. Since I'm an avid quilter/seamstress, we talk "shop" all the time. Then the thought occurred to me: some of you may have questions you'd love to be able to ask him. He'll never consider getting on the computer, but I don't mind being the mediator, if you don't mind getting answers through a third person. That said, if you have general questions about your sewing machine, post it and we'll give it a whirl. I can't promise answers to every question, especially since he may not have seen your particular brand. Remember, he worked at a factory on industry machines. But we'll do what we can to help or at least should be able to tell you whether you have an urgent problem that should be seen by a pro right away.

What a very kind and generous offer!!! Thank you :D:D:D

Why THANK YOU and him :thumbup: What a nice offer :lol:

Well what a generous offer. Thanks to both of you. I don't have a question just yet, but may in the near future. I just purchased a 1937 FW from Ebay and I know it needs a good cleaning. I did buy the cds and book that Dave McCullum puts out, to try and do my own thing. I have a Bernina I bought in 1985 that I use all the time, and I keep it cleaned and oiled all the time. I have always oiled my machines and kept the fuzzies cleaned out. I am lucky enough that I have never had to take it in to a repair man. Better knock on wood on that. I try to keep my machines cleaned. I always think of my car, oil changes and air filters, always need both clean, so I try to do the same with my sewing machines. However, all this being said should I have a question about either of these I will be using mainly I will definitely post and ASK. Tell dear hubby that if he can work on sewing machines, he can definitely tackle this computer toy. lol.
But either way, I don't mind going through you for questions and answers. Thanks to both of you for the offer. Gerbie

What a generous offer!! Your DH may be busier than he thinks once everyone reads this great post!!

Hi and welcome from the sunny state of Florida!!

WOOHOO!! Thanks so much for the offer!! :)

I have a Kenmore that the feeddogs don't work properly on...they move and "cycle", but they don't drop below the plate, so that all they do is move the fabric back and forth with no progression. I've downloaded a service manual for it, torn into it, and checked for a lint buildup under the dogs...nothing. I've adjusted the height of the dogs to it's lowest point...nothing.

Any other suggestions? It was my mom's machine, I'd love to be able to use it!

I have a Singer that does that sometimes. It's like the lever doesn't raise them all the way up, though--not down. I just keep fiddling with the lever and they eventually work. Of course this fix may not work forever so it probably should be checked out but to me it seems like the lever that raises & lowers the feed dogs is catching on something so they don't raise all the way up.

My question to a sewing mechanic would be this. "How do you actually become one? What classes and training are necessary and how do you go about it? Do you need several kinds of certifications or ??"

Thanks. That could be helpful. Okay I'll ask. I have a Jonome
Memory Craft 4800. My manual is not to clear on the oiling of it. Even though I was told it didn't need oiled I feel it really should be. Alot of times I turn it upside down and take the bottom plate off and clean it out of all the lint but while I have that off is there some places under there that I can oil?
Thank you so much. Your lucky. ;)

I've tried before to learn how to become a sewing machine repair/maintenance mechanic but came up with: You have to be certified to work on say Bernina so you have to have a quiltshop send you to the place they teach it at(at your expense). Then your only certified to work on those particular machines. If someones machine is under warranty and they have someone non certified to that machine do anything to it it voids the warranties. However if you come up with other options on learning how let me know.
I have to take my machine to a shop that is an hour away.
I even tried the community colleges around and they had nothing.
Great question to ask so hopefully someone will know other ways of learning. I would be very interested. ;)