My machine started squeaking, so I dropped a couple drops of oil on the rod that goes up and down whilst sewing. Now all my stitches are grey/black now. My LQS said to just sew on scraps till it stops........any ideas on how to speed this process up? I've switched to cotton thread, thinking it would absorb more, but it's STILL grayish/back. Just wondering what others do when this happens. Thanks for comments!

ohhhh, I've done that.... but it didnt take long for the streaking to stop for me..

If u can open the machine prehaps u can take a coft, lint free coth and rub things down a bit?

Sounds like the oil is cleaning the rod/shaft that goes up and down attached to the needle? If that is the case, get a soft piece of light fabric and wipe the shaft as much as you can, as you use the hand wheel to manipulate it. When no more black comes off on the fabric scrap, run the machine and sew again with scrap square. If still doing it, add a little more oil and repeat the process until it comes clean. Be very sure all the blackened oil is out of the thread/machine before doing your next project!

I sew on a piece of batting. Cotton or mostly cotton batting is pretty absorbent and I will also use a piece of batting or cotton swabs to wipe down whatever I can reach. I also leave the batting in the machine overnight, with presser foot down, to encourage oil to migrate down the shaft. Definitely sew a *lot* periodically throughout the day. Eventually you should see the thread become clean. Don't trust it right away though. Let the machine sit for awhile, and then sew again. You may need to sew on scraps every day for awhile before sewing your good things. It can take awhile for oil to disperse.