Jo Belmont

I attended a long-arm class in a quilt show a couple years ago. The instructor was a machine repair & maintenance fellow for machines, large and small, and noted quite a few areas that can easily get overlooked and which can give you tension fits, etc. if ignored.

Among the many items he mentioned was that of using ..oil. He said the test is the color. Good (new, fresh) sewing machine oil will be almost clear. As it ages, it begins to turn yellow. The ..oil will get gummy pretty fast and not do your machine(s) any favors.

I immediately checked my oil when I got home and, sure enough, I had a couple that were yellow and one that I had purchased fairly recently. It was crystal clear.

I've tried to watch it since then and my machines (including a couple decades-old Kenmores) just purr. In fact, they're much quieter than the newer machines.

Hope this helps. Happy quilting!