I am new to sewing and quilting. Was in a hurry today and am not sure what went wrong but I broke a needle. I have never changed a needle before but will read my manual. I have been sewing for about a year have made about 5 lap size quilts. Should I have changed needle? I have never cleaned my machine. How do you do this and how often? Thanks in advance for the info

Your manual should help you with these problems. Your machine may need a cleaning (to get fuzzies out of the bobbin area) and depending upon your machine you may need to oil it as well. If you needle gets dull or blunt it can catch on fabric and/or the plate/bobbin area and and cause it to break. Good luck.

Ditto, and welcome from the snow belt of N.E.Ohio. Glad to have you join us. I usually clean mine after each project and put in a fresh needle.

You are supposed to change the needle every 6-8hours of sewing or every new project, i usually just change it with every new project and have never had a problem. 6-8 hours of sewing doesn't seem that long to me. Also, i usually clean out the bobbin area after each project, because lint build up can create problems with skipped stitches and stitch quality

You should clean and oil your machine every few bobbinfuls. I do mine every 3 bobbins. You clean and oil in the area where your bobbin is. The manual should tell you where on the bobbin race you should apply a few drops of sewing machine oil which you can pick up anywhere, even walmart. Cleaning involves taking a stiff bristled brush and brushing any lint that has built up out of the bobbin race area. I also remove the plate that sits over the feed dogs, it usually unscrews or snaps up and get all the lint out of the feed dog area too.

Here is just one link of many I found. If you put "How to clean and oil a sewing machine" in the seach engine it will bring back loads of stuff

http://www.ehow.com/how_5064_clean-sewing-machine.html

I clean mine every bobbin change. And probably do not change the needle enough - kind of like my blades in the rotary cutter.

Ditto what some of the others have said. I change my needle after a project and clean my machine too. All those little fuzzy things get in there and clog things up. Also, make sure you are using the right needle for your project. Lots of articles on the web about needle selection. Nice job of your lap top production - 5! Way to go!

I clean my bobbin area after every 3-4 bobbins. I stack the empties in one area as a reminder.

Changing the needle? Yes, but not as often as I probably should. Find a cheap source and it is less painful to toss what appears to be a good needle when in reality it is probably past it's prime LOL

Check your manual for oiling or not... my machines are self lubricating :D:D:D

I sure do wish that Janome would have gave good directions in their manual for the 6600P. I clean lint from mine after every project and needle fairly often but don't know if I am doing enough.

I clean the bobbin area with each bobbin, so it is clean when I oil the hook. I don't change needles as often as I should, but the machine lets me know when it is time.

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!

you should change your needle with every new project or 8 hours of sewing time what ever comes first...and your machine should be cleaned (especially in the bobbin - throat area) every time you change your bobbin...and more often if working with flannels or other (linty fabrics)
follow your manual's instuctions for cleaning and oiling and your machine will last for generations...just use it like a work horse with no regular maintenence and you will be shopping for a new one in no time

I thought that the "change your needle every 8 hours" rule applied to 8 hours of embroidery, which is a LOT more stitches. In 8 hours of embroidery a person could do 100,000 stitches. I doubt if a kingsize quilt has 100,000 stitches in it. Maybe an appliqued quilt if all the appliques are outlined in a machine satin stitch.

Once I find an internet site to buy needles 50 at a time at a much reduced price, now I can't find it again. Does anyone have a good source for reduced price titanium needles?

You should change the needle about every 8 hours of sewng time. Not to say that it won't work after that, but if you could see the tip magnified, you could see that the tip was getting worn and will affect its performance. So if you want the best from your machine, change the needle as advised. And clean the bobbin area, pop off the neele plate and clean at LEAST after every project, and ideally at every bobbin change. These are such little things that will keep your machine running more smoothly.

I change my needle every time I start a new project,nothing like a nice sharp needle to make your sewing go nice and smooth. And I also clean my machine after every project,anywhere you can get to clean the lint,it's very important. I have never had my machine in and it's going on 6 years now. I have a Viking. Take real good care of your machine and it will last you a long time. Have fun and most of all enjoy sewing.

I like you used to never change needles or clean my machine but after taking many quilting classes learned that if we want our machines to run well we do have to maintain them. It is advised that you change your needle after 6-8 hours of sewing and brush out the bobbin area each time it is changed. It's kind of like your car you need to maintain it. I do think it is a good idea to take your machiine to a dealer or someone who maintains machines and have it serviced at least every two years. That is just my opinion, I do know people that never change their needle or clean their machines. They will definatley run better if well maintained

Hi ladies,
I am sending my brand new Singer Quilter's Confidence machine off for warranty repairs. It seems (after talking with Liddy who is their factory rep in my area that this machine is a fussy one. Only likes 90/12 needles and cotton blend thread. You can't use tissue paper for stablizer (the manual suggests this) for applique and what about all those pretty threads to make the quilts look amazing.

Sending the machine off today and have to go pick it up when it is finished a 6 hour drive (includes both ways) I am a bit miffed as the manual which I've read many times does not give you this kind of information. Liddy Singer service woman, did promise a bunch of lessons for free. There were some other issues with this machine it's disease is thread lock. So besides, needles and thread, there is drama with machines.

Phew thanks for letting me sound off ladies
Dianne

I change my needle often. I usually check the bobbin area whenever I change bobbins. I keep a small paint brush by my machine and just give it a swipe before I insert the new bobbin. I try to change needles with each project but, sometime they need changed before the project is finished.

You should change needles with a new project & clean your machine often as there can be a lot of lint build up in the needle area. Use some oil on moving parts also.

Titanium is the way to go!

When your needle makes a sort of popping noise when you sew that means its dull. I try to change my needle after each quilt. I remove the bobbine and switch plate every 3rd bobbin,and clean it out. It will help your machine perform much better. If it starts to make a squeaking sound this usually means lint build up. That needs to come out. This I have learned by trial and error. lol Your machine should runn semi quietly and listen to it. It will let you know what you need to do. The book that comes with the machine is usually very good.I sew about 6 hours a day.So I have to oil mine more. Good luck in getting to know your machine. Marvel

I would be very careful about oiling a machine. I sew with a Viking Sapphire 850 and mine does not use oil. Usually just changing the needle regularly will help prevent broken needles. Also be careful about sewing over pins. Some insist that you should NEVER sew over pins; others do it regularly. I sew over pins, but occasionally do break a needle. I like to place my pins so that the head is pointing to the left instead of the right. I learned this from a video done by my LQS owner. It works better for me. I also recommend getting your machine professionally serviced once a year, but I can not always afford to do this. Good luck!

I can't agree more with the comment of having your machine professional serviced periodically. I clean my machine after each quilt and have a mini vacuum to get the lint out under the bobbin case. Recently I put my machine in for a professional cleaning and the technician saved all the lint that I couldn't get to. There was about 1/4 cup of lint deep in the machine and to my horror, the end of a broken needle.

Oh, my... My mom gave me her machine (montgomery ward 283) sitting around and have fiddled on it here and there and just recently finished piecing my first top together on it. Way over due for cleaning and oiling. Here I was thinking my needles were breaking because my 5yr. old son kept adjusting nobs.

I clean my machine every other day. I sew alot. As for the needle I also change it at least once a week.

I clean my bobbin area pretty much every time I sit down at the machine. I don't use terribly low lint thread though either, just inexpensive thread from Jo Anns and Connecting Threads. If you are getting nests of thread on the underside of your fabric or your thread is jamming up on you while you sew, it's often because you have lint in your bobbin area. When I was new to sewing I didn't know this, and I even gave away my great grandmother's sewing machine because I thought it was broken! Oh how I wish I had kept it!!! :(

As for oiling, you are supposed to do it more often but I oil just a few times a year. I don't sew everyday though like many of the ladies here do. Many computerized sewing machines don't need oiling at all and even recommend against them, so as others have suggested, check through your manual. ;)

I change my needle every new project or so...if I just made something small I don't bother. If your needle breaks, your thread starts breaking, or you begin skipping stitches, then your needle change is over due. ;) If you have changed your needle and you are still having issues, you might need a different needle size. Anything beyond that and I'd go running to the manual myself so I'm not very helpful! LOL*

thank you pumpkinpatchquilter I have ran to all thoes problems myself and had no clue.

Go to the Janome web site for info or ask a question, or talk to your dealer

I have the Janome 6600P. My sewing repair man says all we need to do is use a small paintbrush to remove lint and add one (and only one!) drop of oil to the wick in the center of the bobbin holder. Do not use canned air or blow into your machine. I take it in once a year for a physical.
this machine is a workhorse!
Subee XOXOXO
http://www.subeesews.com

You are welcome! ;) I'm so glad that was helpful to someone out there lol*