Originally Posted by AnnieH
It's happened to us all. I use a small kid's paintbrush to clean/pick up the lint in the bobbin area. I now change the needle after every project but like you I found out the hard way. Look at your manual, it's easier than you think. Just give yourself time and you'll get to know your machine and its needs. Keep on with the quilting, it's a great craft. I love it.
I use a small (1/2" by 1") piece of batting held with a pair of hemostats to clean under and around the bobbin area. It's like felt and pulls up all kinds of dust bunnies. Using a hemostat is a safety thing - it locks, so I won't drop the batting, and the tips are blunt so I won't scratch anything.