How Important to Cover Machine?
 

Hello!

I'm a newbie to the board and somewhat of a newbie to quilting. I made my first quilt in the fall of 2014 and haven't stopped since :)
I had been piecing and machine quilting on my little $80.00 Brother XM 2701 using a walking foot.

However, yesterday I purchased a Juki 2010Q. This was a pricey purchase for me and I want to protect my investment.

I will be using it almost daily, and will do my regular oiling and cleaning. Do I still need to cover when not in use?

Thank you,
KBART

I do keep my machine covered mostly to keep it from getting dusty or getting any other dirt on or in it. Good that you are going to take such good care of the new one by regular oiling and cleaning. The cover would just be added protection.

I cover mine to keep out the dust. my machine sits in the living room of my small apartment so the cover matches the décor. nothing fancy but it does its job.

I've never covered my machine except when transporting it or if I know I won't be in there for awhile. All of mine are vintage so no fancy computer innards to wonder about.

I only cover mine when I'm not going to use it for a week or more.

I never cover mine ( all vintage, no computers ) except when not in use for extended periods.

I'm another one that doesn't cover my machine, unless I'm going to be taking it with me, or will be gone for awhile.

I never cover mine. No matter how long I'm away from it. Doesn't seem to have hurt any of my machines.

I usually try to cover mine especially when I'm not going to be using it the next day.

Some houses are more dusty than others. I have three dogs so in a week, things will be dusty. My machine has a plastic cover you just throw over the top of it.

It wouldn't be a big deal to make a cover out of fabric that you just slip over it. Oil will always attract dust which means more wear and tear on your machine between the times you're able to clean it.

Howdy from Texas & welcome to the boards. You will learn a lot here as I've found very knowledgeable & helpful quilters on this board.

I never cover my machine but I would recommend you get a good surge protector for it if you don't have one already. Right now I don't have a surge protector so I always unplug my machine when I'm not using it. You never know when an electrical surge or storm will come up & ruin the inside of your computerized machine.

Welcome to the board and congratulations on your new machine.

I have never covered any of my sewing machines. To be honest, I never even though of it, even when I didn't sew everyday. Since I retired, I do sew everyday. It will be interesting to read what other quilters do, but I will stick with not covering mine. :)

Dina

Just recently at a retreat one of my machines went crazy sewing all by itself. Something inside burned, a capacitor. I removed it. But lesson learned that the machines should be unplugged when not used.

I have three machines out in the open in my sewing room and I do keep them covered. Two reasons really 1.) because where I live there is a lot of dust. ItS dry and dusty a lot of the year here. 2.). I do spray baste my quilts in that room. So even though I have not noticed any overspray, no reason to risk it. The machines came with covers, might as well use them.

I have made matching covers to put over the rigid covers that came with my machines, I put cover on when finished for the day and always unplug.

Welcome! I have covers for all my machines... new and vintage. It protects them from dust and encourages me to be tidy and respectful of my things. But then again.....all our motorbikes regardless that they are kept in a garage, are covered with blankets or doonas to protect their paintwork. Everything gets tucked up cosy at the end of each day!!!! OCD...me?, nah...well, maybe just a bit!

I've lived in different places, some where more dusty than others. In a dusty place, you sure do your machine some good to cover it! Where I live now, IMO a dust cover is not absolutely needed, but as I don't have a sewing room but use a corner of my dining area, I just feel it looks nice that way.

I don't cover my Janome 6600 because I'm on it just about every day but since I do not use my 8900 as often, I keep it covered when not in use.

I am in this camp. Still...a great question that I have wondered about.
sandy

I cover mine because I also do my hair in same room. The blow dryer blows loose hair all around no matter what. I also cut my hair in same room. I have couple covers. Just throwing a large piece of fabric works also. Covers are simple to make. If my 10 year old niece can do it you can to. Cute patterns every where.

I never cover my most used machine or serger except when transporting them. It encourages me to sew for a few open minutes-which I wouldn't do if I had to unpack it. If I was going to away for awhile, I would put it all away 'properly'.

I have to cover my machines when not in use, as I have one cat that likes to get ahold of any thread he can find and start pulling. Wouldn't care, but don't want or need a very pricey vet bill:)

Hi and welcome. I keep my machine covered when not in use as we run a wood stove and it gets VERY dusty. Like someone else said, some houses are more dusty than others. Mine is probably the worst! Also, as someone else said you will find a wealth of information on this board.

I cover mine because I have small grands that love to turn knobs. LOL

The only machine I keep set up and covered is my embroidery machine, and only because I often go 6 months or more without using it. It's too big to easily store or else I'd just put it away somewhere between uses; instead I keep it out. I use the plastic cover it came with but I keep thinking I'll make one for it someday. (So far, hasn't happened)

I have 20+ machines, because I can't pass up a cool vintage machine. If a machine is set up for use, I don't generally cover it. My Janome 6600 is always set up and uncovered, and I usually have 2-3 vintage machines set up for use too, uncovered. If a machine is put away I put it in a case or bag, so I suppose that counts as a cover. I have a couple of my favorite vintage machines on display, those aren't covered. I tend to use and fiddle with them often enough that they don't get TOO dusty. I have sewing friends that come over and help me keep the herd exercised too (which is why I keep extra machines set up and ready to go.)

I love the looks of my vintage machines too much to hide them all under covers. :)

I rarely cover mine because I tend to forget.

I do think it is important to keep the machine cover when not in use. Guys cover there cars to protect their vehicle and we should protect what is valuable to us.

My Bernina has sat uncovered for the last 15 years. It is however plugged into a serge protector. I only unplug my machines if I won't be sewing for a week or so or if there is a large thunderstorm in my area. I am a rebel I guess.:D

I have my 6600 on a battery backup/surge protector, but I don't worry about it for my vintage machines since they don't have the computer brains. This reminds me that my Embroidery machine is left plugged in, though. It's on a surge protector but not a very high quality one, I should unplug it.

I made a simple quilted cover to slip over it when I'm not using it. The hard-shell one it came with is in the back closet!

We winter in the desert...windy sand storms...I cover mine and keep my other toys covered.

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** HI! Y'all from the upstate of South Carolina.
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*** Yes, I cover mine.
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I'm in the "not cover" camp. I really haven't figured out how to cover the Janome 8900 without unthreading and removing the cone holder and that's a pain, ditto with the Brother 1500s. I keep the three other machines in a closet when not in use -- uncovered, but somewhat protected.

I cover everything. The Siamese loves to go "chomp" on thread. If she doesn't see it, it doesn't exist.

I've caught her perched on my Babylock Imagine serger. Most of her was on the spools. Serger was covered. Plastic cover and towels.

I've made covers for each machine I have. If I'm not sewing for a bunch of days, I try to remember to put the cover on. I think it does help keep the dust from settling on it.

I have the same Juki and love it. I rarely cover mine---only if I won't be using it for a couple of weeks or more---which is rare!

I have a cabinet made especially for my machine with a lift. The cabinet has a closed back, so when the machine is put away, it is enclosed. Is it necessary to cover the machine in the cabinet?

I live in the high desert up on the hill above the city. Yes I keep mine covered especially when the winds are blowing the slit dust into the house. It comes in though any tiny opening it can. I dust and within half a week you can write your name in the dust over most everything. I made dust covers for my clothing closets too.

So, yes I cover my machine every night and when it is not in use. (Mine are berninas)

You will LOVE this machine! I have the TL98Q & it is a work horse!!! I just cover mine with a pillowcase.

I rarely remember to cover mine. Only when I totally clean up my sewing area when we are having guests... I sew in one end of our family room, and that happens to be where we set up the kid's table for family birthday parties and get togethers.