It is so cool you tried this. I have been trying (since last week) to think of a method to make the vacuum nozzle small and pliable so I can worm it into the machine to pull the lint out. I decided the pliable part could be done with some of my aquarium air line but I haven't had time to think of a solution to reduce the vacuum nozzle hole down to the pencil size of the airline opening. The straw will do that.. We shall see. If I am successful I will update but it may be a week or two before I can play with it.

I bought the small vac attachment and used it for other things besides the sewing machine. My computer of course and cleaning out my window air conditioner. Its even cheaper now than when I bought it.
http://www.clotilde.com/list.html?cr...cuum&x=22&y=12

Nice. I haven't seen anything like this and that was the image I had in my mind to accomplish. You have saved me having to rig up something. Thank-you.

I clean mine every project, and could not believe how much I got out last nite!

I bought some new thread, long staple cotton, or so it said, I am sure that this is where the lint is from, grey lint, grey thread, yellow quilt. I am going to use it anyway, I bought a huge cone of it for piecing.

criteria=vacuum&x=22&y=12[/quote]
Nice. I haven't seen anything like this and that was the image I had in my mind to accomplish. You have saved me having to rig up something. Thank-you.[/quote]

Glad I could help

I have been having my husband use his air compressor to clean out my machines. It works great! Can't believe how much lint came out.

What a fantastic idea!!! If you were within my reach I would hug you!

One of the best ways to cut down on the lint that builds up in our machines is to use a better quality thread. I love aurofil because it isn't a linty thread. It's a long staple egyptian cotton from Italy that sews like a dream. And you get more bang for your buck. If you fill up your bobbin with Aurofil, it will last twice as long because it isn't a thick thread, which means it also doesn't take up much space in piecing. I do use other things but I never use Coats and Clark. Their thread is considered one of the worst out there, for construction, lintiness, and for durability. I love the thread from Collecting Threads but it is horribly linty and when I use it I find I have to clean out my machine every few hours. :( It wasn't until I started sewing for several hours a day that I noticed how different brands of thread leave or don't leave lint. I was also surprised at how quickly lint can build up.

I know a gal who collects sewing machines. She will buy any machine she finds in a garage sell. She says that 99 times out of a 100 the only problem with the machine is that it needs to have the lint cleaned out and oiled. That's it!

The lint can sure make a mess and make your machine just not work.

where do you get aurofil thread? i usually buy gutermans

I've tried other 100% cotton thread (including Aurofil), but always go back to Mettler 30 wt. for satin stitching. Putting in 6 to 8 hours a day teaches you real fast which thread is best for the task!