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klgreene 05-10-2011 02:15 PM

I have been quilting since the 80's, but back then it was all hand quilting. So about a year and a half ago, I started machine quilting. I used my machine to make valances, little things like that. But since I've started quilting, I have been having so much trouble with my stitches. When I set it for 4 I want that stitch, not a 0. When I started quilting I took my machine apart, oiled it .....and thought I cleaned it out pretty good. NOT!!! Today I was fed up and about ready to throw the machine out the window. But I really just can't afford a new one right now. So I decided to take that old baby and take her apart. I cleaned, I oiled, I did everything I thought of......then I looked closer at my feed dogs. I know they don't drop. BUT....I don't think I've ever cleaned them out properly. Chunks of gunk came out. I polished those babies up. And now she purrs like my new kitten. And I actually get a #4 stitch when I set it to #4. I sure wish I would have been a little smarter a year ago. I've done so much quilting and have not been thrilled with any of the quilting, even though I can only do SITD or a 1/4 in from seam, and a few other ditties, but it would have made so much of a difference, so not that I want to tell everyone I'm an idiot, but I know a couple people have posted on here what seemed exactly like my problem, so when you oil and clean, but sure you get all the gunk out of the feed dogs. I hang my head for my ignorance, but doing the happy dance because I don't need to spend any money on a new machine.

SherriB 05-10-2011 02:18 PM

Don't you just love it when you can fix some thing yourself!!! Good for you!! I wish I could take my Janome apart and clean the dust bunnies out. I clean her the best I can and always clean the feed dogs.

Maia B 05-10-2011 02:18 PM

Thx for posting! I'm sure this is common, and you've saved someone aggravation and/or big bucks.

irishrose 05-10-2011 02:20 PM

The Singer 301 I purchased on ebay was supposed to be cleaned and ready to sew. I cleaned years of compressed lint out of the feed dogs. Our machines are both happy now. Good save.

sueisallaboutquilts 05-10-2011 02:21 PM

I agree with Maia, thank you!!!!!!!!!
Happy quilting ...........now :D:D

gunny148 05-10-2011 02:22 PM

Feed dogs and bobbin caseings they can stop a train..or quilting...

scowlkat 05-10-2011 02:25 PM

Isn't it amazing what we can do necessity arises! So glad you were able to fix your problem and can enjoy your machine again.

2000HD 05-10-2011 02:27 PM

Thanks for the lesson!

BrendaK 05-10-2011 02:34 PM

:oops: OK Here comes the dumb question. How DO you clean the feed dogs? I don't think that my machine has ever been taken apart and cleaned or oiled. I do clean around the bobbin and try to blow when I think there is fuzz. But............ I was told that it's not good to blow on the machine. When you blow you just push things in those private places (on the machine) that you can't get at. At this time I can't afford to take my machine into a professional. I only have the one machine and I sure don't want her to get sick. I think that she works fine and I don't want to do anything that will give her a problem. Is there a special oil you are supposed to use? Thanks and please don't think bad of me for not yet doing preventive care. I will be waiting to read you answers. Brenda

Dingle 05-10-2011 02:35 PM

I knew about cleaning the bobbin case and such but didn't give the feed dogs a second thought until I read about it on here. Took my plate off and holy cow. Sis didn't know about that either so I clued her in. Now both of us make sure that gets done too. Now you should enjoy quilting on a machine alot more now. :thumbup:

klgreene 05-10-2011 04:11 PM


Originally Posted by BrendaK
:oops: OK Here comes the dumb question. How DO you clean the feed dogs? I don't think that my machine has ever been taken apart and cleaned or oiled. I do clean around the bobbin and try to blow when I think there is fuzz. But............ I was told that it's not good to blow on the machine. When you blow you just push things in those private places (on the machine) that you can't get at. At this time I can't afford to take my machine into a professional. I only have the one machine and I sure don't want her to get sick. I think that she works fine and I don't want to do anything that will give her a problem. Is there a special oil you are supposed to use? Thanks and please don't think bad of me for not yet doing preventive care. I will be waiting to read you answers. Brenda

Not a dumb question or I would have done it correctly years ago. Take the plate off just under the needle. You can see the feed dogs, and inbetween the little feet, if you've been sewing a while, you'll find compress fuzz. I use a lot of grey in my quilting, so it blended right in with the silver/grey of the machine. I actually (after turning off the machine - very important) stuck a pin between the feet and low and behold, it was very soft. So I picked it all out. So glad my stupidity helps someone. LOL

earthwalker 05-10-2011 04:43 PM

Better late than never! Well done on working it out, I'm sure this will help others save a few dollars. Thanks for sharing with us.

suebee 05-10-2011 04:45 PM

Katie - fyi...you are not alone my friend. But isnt it awesome when you figure it out. Almost feels like being re-born. Glad you got everything going good now. I just love that feeling. BTW...you are far from being an idiot. :):)

DesiG 05-10-2011 06:59 PM

This just went on my list of things to do tomorrow! Thanks, I never would have thought of it.

jaciqltznok 05-10-2011 07:09 PM

OH yeah....you fixed it and learned something you can share proudly...cleaning is a MAJOR part of owning a sewing machine that actually gets used!
if you can find real pipe cleaners (not chenille stems) get some..they get into tinier spaces and really hold up to bending and such!
I also use a very small bushy paint brush...just a dab of oil and it is like a dust magnet....

kudo's for sharing!

Carron 05-10-2011 07:17 PM

a good reminder for us...thanks

EdieClay 05-10-2011 07:22 PM

Great information ... thanks for sharing. I'll check my machine tomorrow.

BluegrassGurl 05-10-2011 07:26 PM

You go girl! Kudos to your 'bull dog tenacity'!!! You should be proud.

BETTY62 05-10-2011 08:54 PM

Thank you so much for this information. I don't think I have ever cleaned the feed dogs.

Quilting Angel 05-11-2011 01:39 AM

I'm really glad you figured out what was going on. I had to laugh when I saw the part where you were ready to throw it out the window. My mom said the exact same thing about her embroidery machine because she couldn't get the hang of it. She decided she just didn't want to "fool" with it anymore and gave it to me.

Marion T 05-11-2011 01:58 AM

Well done for working this out yourself!! If you think that is dumb listen to this - my sister-in-law complained her machine was not stitching properly, and I suggested she try a new needle, and she said "What, you mean you can change needles? How do you get it out?" Ho hum.

sewobsessed1 05-11-2011 03:46 AM

Good job!
My niece called and was having all sorts of trouble trying to get her many year old machine to sew correctly. I asked her when was the last time she really cleaned it out good. She said, "Clean it? I have to clean it?!" lol

psychonurse 05-11-2011 03:51 AM

So proud of you for figuring this out. You have just reminded me I need to do this.
It is a great tip.

MaryAnnMc 05-11-2011 04:20 AM

Thanks for the tip! I'm new to all this machine-cleanin', and didn't think to clean the feed dogs. I'll do it next week.

Lena1952 05-11-2011 04:34 AM

Here is a tip from my sewing machine repairman son: Wind 3 bobbins. After using up all 3 bobbins, clean your machine and replace your needle. I know replacing the needle this often sounds insane but it really needs it as it goes thru the material 100's of thousands of time during the time it takes to use up 3 bobbins. To clean, turn off the machine first. He recommends an inexpensive child's water color paint brush, the kind you find at the dollar store. The lint will stick to it and it has good reach. Remove the top plate to get at all the parts you can see. Oil, with any approved oil for sewing machines, the bobbin area lightly every time you clean. He does not recommend the compressed air. Once your machine plate is put back in place, sew through a piece of scrap fabric to remove any excess oil. The lint may be removed from the brush by flicking it across your hand over the trash can. It is easy to lose track of when you cleaned last, so the 3 bobbins works as a reminder. It will keep your machine running smoother longer and lower your frustration level with a poorly running machine. He also highly recommends having it proffesionaly serviced once a year but no less than every other year if you perform good cleaning yourself. Happy Sewing!

polly13 05-11-2011 04:46 AM

Doesn't it feel good to have solved a frustrating problem? And to know that you're saving a bunch of money in the process---no repairman fees, no new machine payments, and having an old dependable friend back with you.

Prettiptibbs 05-11-2011 05:29 AM

Good for you!

Pam H 05-11-2011 05:35 AM

Thanks for posting this. I have never thought to clean the feed dogs. I'm kind of afraid to look!

mimee4 05-11-2011 06:01 AM

Good for you. Yeah, those feed dogs collect a lot of lint and just pile it up. You are getting to know your machine, up close and personal!!

auntmag 05-11-2011 06:23 AM

Good for you. Don't you just love it when you figure out something?

klgreene 05-11-2011 06:24 AM


Originally Posted by jaciqltznok
OH yeah....you fixed it and learned something you can share proudly...cleaning is a MAJOR part of owning a sewing machine that actually gets used!
if you can find real pipe cleaners (not chenille stems) get some..they get into tinier spaces and really hold up to bending and such!
I also use a very small bushy paint brush...just a dab of oil and it is like a dust magnet....

kudo's for sharing!

Thanks, I never thought of pipe cleaners, and I have some from some craft project years ago, so will keep those with my quilting stuff now. And I have lots of paint brushes. My machine came with a small frm brush, but it's short so these would work better. Thanks.

silver queen 05-11-2011 06:26 AM


Originally Posted by Lena1952
Here is a tip from my sewing machine repairman son: Wind 3 bobbins. After using up all 3 bobbins, clean your machine and replace your needle. I know replacing the needle this often sounds insane but it really needs it as it goes thru the material 100's of thousands of time during the time it takes to use up 3 bobbins. To clean, turn off the machine first. He recommends an inexpensive child's water color paint brush, the kind you find at the dollar store. The lint will stick to it and it has good reach. Remove the top plate to get at all the parts you can see. Oil, with any approved oil for sewing machines, the bobbin area lightly every time you clean. He does not recommend the compressed air. Once your machine plate is put back in place, sew through a piece of scrap fabric to remove any excess oil. The lint may be removed from the brush by flicking it across your hand over the trash can. It is easy to lose track of when you cleaned last, so the 3 bobbins works as a reminder. It will keep your machine running smoother longer and lower your frustration level with a poorly running machine. He also highly recommends having it proffesionaly serviced once a year but no less than every other year if you perform good cleaning yourself. Happy Sewing!

I have been saving a few of my wof trimmings about an inch wide folded into 1/4 (so it is 4 layers thick) to use as sewing scraps after I have oiled. It makes me feel better to use up what I would have thrown away anyway and not using a random piece of fabric that I might need later.

QuiltNama 05-11-2011 06:39 AM

Thank you for reminding us of how important cleaning our machines every so often is. I think sometimes we get so involved in what we are doing that we forget how the smallest things make such a big difference. Such as cleaning the feed dogs, changing needles, adding a touch of oil, and just general TLC of our machines and equipment. Thanks
Brenda

CarrieAnne 05-11-2011 06:41 AM

Okay, Thanks for that, I probaly need to clean mine!

QuiltnNan 05-11-2011 06:48 AM

congrats on solving the problem and happy quilting :!:

jenniferlrn 05-11-2011 06:48 AM

I use a Q-Tip and some machine oil (you can get this at Wal-Mart, It is Singer oil, but works for all machines). Use the q-tip with oil on the tip and work all around the feed dogs and the bobbin housing and all the working parts around it. This will help keep it clean. I also use a stiff paint brush and get all the big pieces of lint out. Don't blow on the feed dogs and the bobbin housing, that only drives all of the lint and other debries back into the back part of the machine and can cause you all sorts of problems later. After all of that is done then put 2 small drops of oil on the inner part of the bobbin housing, where the bobbin sets, if you can take that part of the housing out of your machine, I can as I have a Berninia. Then run the machine for about a min and it should be oiled and back to purring like a kitten. I would probably do this after every new project like when you change your needle.
An after thought, before you start a new project after oiling and cleaning your machine, make sure you sew on a old piece of material, just incase you have any oil anywhere you didn't know about and it won't ruin your new pretty material.
Jennifer :)

Victoria L 05-11-2011 06:57 AM

Thanks for posting....I never have taken my feed dogs apart. Guess what I will be doing tonight....

jlm5419 05-11-2011 07:07 AM

Funny you should mention this...A couple of years ago, my old favorite Kenmore from the 70s started making a knocking noise when I sewed. When my DH found out it was 30 years old, he decided I needed a new machine, which he bought for Christmas. I haven't used the Kenmore since. Now I'm thinking that Kenmore just needs a good cleaning and oiling, because years ago I never really thought to oil it regularly, and it probably has years of built-up gunk around the feed dogs. It's on my list...

Pam H 05-11-2011 07:07 AM

I just took mine apart and cleaned it. It's a wonder it would even run with all the lint in there!
When I took my machine in for a sewing lesson she used a spray can of air to clean inside my machine. I may have to invest in one of those cans.
I was told that machines with a drop in bobbin never need to be oiled. Doesn't seem right to me but the book that came with it doesn't say anything about oil in the maintenance section.

klgreene 05-11-2011 07:23 AM


Originally Posted by Pam H
I just took mine apart and cleaned it. It's a wonder it would even run with all the lint in there!
When I took my machine in for a sewing lesson she used a spray can of air to clean inside my machine. I may have to invest in one of those cans.
I was told that machines with a drop in bobbin never need to be oiled. Doesn't seem right to me but the book that came with it doesn't say anything about oil in the maintenance section.

My machine is the old fashioned one where you put the bobbin in front, and of course when not put in correctly keeps falling out, doesn't have self threading.....but it works really good now. I don't know about the drop in bobbin. I would think something needs oiled, but not sure.


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