QuiltE,
I just have a few minutes but I know what you are saying about vacuuming the machine. I have the neat little kit that fits on the end of a vacuum hose, and it worked great before we moved. Now my sewing room is as far away from the vacuum as is possible. Our vaccum is really really heavy and awkward so I am not inclined to drag it downstairs to clean my machine. I am a bit anal retentive about keeping it clean so I use it when I have to haul the vacuum downstairs to do the carpet in the family room whether it need sit or not.
I looked in vain to try and find a hand held with a hose so that I could use that with my attachments/kit, but they don't exist where I live. So I use a brush after every bobbin and vaccum it about once a week. It's a pain.