Squeaky Quilting
 

So while FMQ on my Singer Quilt Confidence I noticed that a squeaking sound started, more when pulling than pushing. Seems like it is coming from the bobbin. I pulled the plate, cleaned and made sure the bobbin area was oiled (oddly, there is a wick with oil in the bobbin thingy). The squeaking stopped for a minute, but began again. Any thoughts on this?

check any belts. I have had that noise with one of my older machines, and I oiled down in the bobbin area. Hope it helps!

Mine also squeaks. I think it is the spring in the darning foot I use to FMQ. I hope so. That is not as critical as a belt or something not oiled. I can not even find where to oil my machine.

a worn needle will squeak, try changing that.

I vote for the spring on the darning foot. Mine does that.

The wick is there to take a single drop of oil every once in awhile. It keeps the bobbin race lubricated.

I never saw a bobbin case with a wick! Must be on the newer machines. The youngest I have is 26yrs old! One I'm teaching granddaughter to sew on is 72+. And all are working great! LOL I am proud to be teaching her on the machine that I tought myself on in the 50s. She is 10 yrs old and visiting us from Florida. Have her making a small Sudoku quilt. Hope to have it finished when she goes back to Mom and Dad on Sat. Going to miss her terribly. :((

As for the wick by the bobbin, always a nust to read, read, read the owner's manual every so often. Taking good care of the sewing machine saves money. MY manual says to oil the spring on the darning/FMQ foot with a drop of oil every so often or it will squeak.

I oil and clean my pressure feet every so often.

Actually I think all the vintage sewing machines had wicks.

Definitely try cleaning, oiling, changing needles. If all else fails (sorry but yes, do) take it in for a good cleaning and let the mechanic try to figure it out. It's usually cheaper and less painful if you catch it early.

I have a Singer, it has a wick in the bobbin case and NO WHERE in the manual does it say what it is and what it is for. Both my husband and I mistook it for a "stray" thread. Thank goodness we were able to put it back in.

On vintage machines, the wick is in the bobbin area on the machine itself (not on the bobbin case). It's common for people to pull out the wick, thinking it is lint.