Old topic - but may be new to some members -
 

Some things really do get worn out and it makes sense to replace them:

Some things that I have had to - reluctantly - replace - because they were dull, warped, or otherwise non-conducive to accurate cuts or easy sewing.

Gouged cutting mats - if used a lot - no matter what they brand - they will show that they have been used
Dull blades - if your table knives are sharper than your rotary blade - maybe time to change it?
Dull needles - I really don't mind hand sewing with a slightly curved one - didn't reaiize how dull it was until I started using a new one - the sewing machine does NOT like a bent needle!!l
Worn out ankles to the presser feet - had one that the foot kept falling off of - new ankle took care of that.
Iron that spits or temperature control has gotten wonky
Dull seam rippers
Rulers that had curves worn in them from being used so much - no wonder the cuts were uneven!
Scissors that need sharpening - if Ginghers - send them to the Gingher place
Needles or pins that are dull or have a burr on them- or have gotten rusty - the rust will stain your fabric.
Check to make sure your bobbins are still round. Occasionally one of mine has gotten stepped on or the cat thought it was a toy.
Can/does sewing machine oil go bad? I have some that must be 50 years old.

Check ebay for rotary cutter blade deals and sewing machine needles. I purchased some blades from 123sewinglights (I think) - and they were good.

If the machine oil has a yellow or gold color it is too old to use. Machine oil should be clear. Machine oil is made to evaporate so that's why it's important to keep the machine oiled. If using oil not made for sewing machines, it will not evaporate, gets old and sticky and causes all kinds of problems.

I knew to use ONLY sewing machine oils - I did not know it was supposed to evaporate.

Interesting info about the oil. I knew about the color, too, but didn't realize that it was suppose to evaporate. Now this makes sense about my mom's Necchi machine. The inside of the machine was so gunky that it wouldn't run. A machine repairman had to pull it all apart and soak the parts in some kind of cleaner to get it working again. My mom loved the machine and I learned on it. It was like an Italian race car, it sewed really, really fast. Love it.

good to know about the oil color.

I think most of us has had to face discarding some of these items. Great topic

Yes, I know some things must be replaced. I have replaced most of the things you mentioned.

I'm guilty of having a dull seam ripper and I also try to get just "one more cut" from that poor old rotary blade. when I replace these items I'm in awe of how much better they work.

socks and underwear.

I recently took a good look at my rulers and am in the process of replacing some. You really can bite into them some over time and then I have a few that have been knocked around and the corners are starting to go.

nightgowns, slippers, and robes/housecoats! :D :( :shock:

I have been known to wear holes in the end of metal thimbles.

More things to get rid of:

Marking pencils that are impossible to sharpen. I swear the "lead" breaks every 1/4 inch. Why do I even try after the fifth break?

Dried up glue and/or glue sticks. I don't think I can rejuvenate them by spritzing them with water - can I?

Pens that are almost out of ink and barely write.

Scissors that have been dropped and the points are knocked off or the blades are gouged.

great to know about the oil, Never knew that could happen, the evaporation. Funny about the needles too. I only replace when it gets bent. I do a lot of hand sewing and use the same needle and when I loose it, I need a new one and of course, the old one was dull, but you never realize how dull till you get a new one out. I'm bad with rotary cutter blades too. put a new one in and the cat knocked it on the floor, and it got a ding. I wasn't going to let that stop me. I kept on using that dinged blade til I couldn't stand it any longer. stubbornness on my part.

Can't you sharpen pins and needles in one of those special pin cushion things with the metal powder/shavngs in it?

I have finally learned to throw out machine needles, frequently!

But hand needles have never thrown out, just lose them somewhere. Stuck in an old spool of thread or the bottom of a little what-not dish.

Pins! I hate bent pins (oooh I NEVER let them get under the machine needle when sewing hehehe! oops!) But recently I noticed those long stiff flat-plastic-flower-tip expensive ones I had to buy at the LQC for that Judy Neimier class have done discolored in places, look tarnished.

Mats - I accidently warped my favorite - got too close to iron. :(

Good topic - no one can make good progress with worn-out equipment!

You bring up some interesting points.
I never thought about rulers getting "bowed" etc.
The oil? I too have wondered if it goes bad but would forget
to look it up.
Surely didn't know it was made to evaporate. I have more than
one machine. That's GOOD info right there.
Fiskars makes a REALLY good, inexpensive scissor sharpening tool,
unless they have been sharpened a lot and the blades are getting
thin.
I learned about the product from a lady that cut fabric for a living.
She said she sharpened hers once a week.
I think we forget to do maintenance on some of our stuff sometimes.
Never thought about the bobbin "round". Thanks bear :)

This post has been very helpful to me. Thank you so much!

Interesting and useful information. I have machine oil.....but I have never oiled my machine. Really didn't know what to do there, so now I am going to how to and all later. Thanks for that tip!