Quiltingboard Forums - When Do You Change Your Sewing Machine Needle?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barb2018 (Post 8011595)

At the end of every project I clean and oil my machine and replace the needle. With every bobbin change I also clean out any lint. If it's a big project, I'll oil it again somewhere in the middle and may change the needle. I'm a little picky I think, but my dealer is almost two hours away and a friend who has the same machine didn't do any routine maintenance and paid through the nose to get it back in shape. I also use a magnifying glass to see the needle tip and you can really see if the tip has rounded.

My first impulse to this thread was nervous laughter until I thought about it. But, upon reflection, my actual practice for needle replacement and machine care is close to Barb's answer. However, I'm not that picky and I don't change the needle until it sounds "clunky" or feels like it's not impaling the fabric easily. It's a subtle thing. I do keep a large supply of machine needles on hand.

I love my new Janome 1600 QC and intend to make it last forever! This professional use machine is mostly mechanical and requires oiling every time I change the bobbin. BUT, it sews with such accuracy, is lightening fast, has easy self threading and presser foot knee lifter, can fill bobbins while sewing, has push button thread cutting that does not come unthreaded on next seam start, and more. Maybe I will start changing the needle more often! I love using this machine.