DOn't feel bad. The first time I went to a class, the teacher talked about changing the needle after 8 sewing hours or so - I had not changed the needle ever. (Admittedly, most of my projects had been small)

When I did change the needle - what a difference. You will get to the point soon to where you can hear or feel that the needle is getting dull.

In changing the needle you need to make sure that you orient the needle correctly. It is advisable to put a piece of paper over the feed dogs JUST IN CASE the needles drop down unexpectedly.

As for cleaning: I use a small brush to take lint out of the bobbin case. Every so often, I take off the needle plate because lint can compact under it in the little areas. Make sure to read your manual and check if the machine needs oil or not.

I clean the bobbin area and oil the race after each bobbin change, oil machine after 6-8 hours, change the needle on the machine I quilt on before quilting a quilt. On the piecing machine I change the needle when I hear a pluck pluck or the stitches dont look so nice. This all works very well for me.

A sewing machine repairman told me that if the sound of my stitching changed and I could hear a soft sound sort of like "pup" when my needle pierced the fabric that I was overdue for a needle change. He said that depending on the fabric I was stitching on and the speed of my sewing I might need to change my needle after every project. I try to be good about changing the needle often but I forget.

I switched to Titanium machine needles and they last much longer then regular needles. No need to change so often so I save money. I clean and oil my machine frequently. Some machines don't use oil so check your manual. But all need to be cleaned. Dust and lint will hold heat inside your machine causing all kinds of problems, can groove the tension disc plates, can clog up gears, mess up the bobbin tension and cause the feeddogs to over work.

If you have a mechanical machine, you will need to oil it and clean the bobbin area

If you have a computerized machine, about all you can do is keep the bobbin area clean.

If I'm working on fabric that throws up a lot of dust or lint, like flannel or fleece, I clean the bobbin area a couple of times during the project. If it's a big project, I'll clean it more often. If I'm working with cottons or blends, I clean the bobbin area after the project is complete.

I don't change my needles until they "talk" to me. A needle that makes a "thawcking" sound while you sew needs to be changed.

And read your manual. Amazing things, manuals, really good ones even give you wonderful sewing tips!

I clean the bobbin area before I start a project. My machine came with a little brush just for that purpose. If the plate around the feed dogs pops off (check your manual to see if it does), clean underneath it. After doing 5 lap quilts you probably have little fabric fuzzies in there that look remarkably like the fabric from your quilts.

I don't worry about changing my needle unless my needle starts making "clicking" or "thwacking" noises. The "clicking" noise may mean your needle is slightly bent and hitting the feed dog plate. The "thwacking" noise is cause by a dull needle as it goes through fabric.

I also sew as well as quilt and will change a needle if I'm sewing fabric other than 100% cotton. Some fabrics work better with a particular type of needle.

My machine is computerized and needs the bobbin area cleaned out- I clean it every time I change the bobbin. I also try to put in a new needle when I start a new project. I need to take off the face plate and clean under there, too, I have never done that. I am taking my machines in for servicing when I go on vacation in March.

You need to clean your bobbin area (including taking off the throat plate and getting the lint glob from under there) periodically. Those who feel it is needed after every bobbin are probably sewing with linty thread. Switching to a less linty thread will have the added benefit of not linting as much. As for changing the needle, I agree that the new titanium needles are a good value in that they last much longer. Keep in mind that even a "new" needle may be defective -- I've heard as much as 1 in 5. Skipped stitches, a punching sound, and any time you hit a pin are signs that you should change the needle. I don't follow the 8 hour rule, but I don't go weeks, either.

This isn`t about changing needle but some said if you have a computerized all you can to is clean out the fuzzies.
I bought a Janome special edition SE last Jan and asked my dealer whom I love if I should do anything else.
He told me to put a small drop of oil under bobbin case once a month. I do this faithfuly.
Gale

What she said!