I always store mine with the foot down with a piece of fabric under it as I was taught in Home Ec, but I didn't know it was to keep dust out. Thanks for the info!

Great tip, thanks!

I think the trouble with this plate has nothing to do with the fabric being there or not, but the place where it was stored. Irishrose said her machine got rusty with the cotton fabric there. I think it was probably a poor quality plate to begin with. I have a 1956 Singer that had been not used for at least 30 years, but had been stored in the desk especially designed for it. I was using the desk for my office. I pulled it out this year when my Bernina was in the "hospital", and started using it. It ran perfectly. I had had it cleaned and oiled shortly before I had stopped using it, and it went straight to work. I know I should have oiled it before using it, but it had work to do. I love that machine. It has the small hole in the throat plate, and doesn't bunch up the fabric or thread, whether or not I have my startie-stoppie there.

I subscribe to the theory that I store (mind you that is when you are absolutely not going to be touching Babe (sewing machine) my machine the way it came shipped to me new from the factory --- cleaned, lubed, piece of fabric, needle down, presser foot down, fresh silica gel pak (to absorb moisture somewhere in with machine in its plastic wrapping inside the styrofoam and in its box, upright and in a non extreme environment (i.e. living qtrs. closet rather than unheated basement, garage, or attic). Regular after the project I just put the fabric, needle down and presser foot down under its dust cover or in its tote. Transporting with the needle and presser foot down also helps prevent stuff in the hook and bobbin area. Similar to my way of thinking to keeping a blank cd/dvd in a computer drive while moving it to protect the optical burner/lens. As for my sewing machines, if I haven't used them for a few weeks or months etc. I bring them to the sewing spot of choice, find a spare place to set them up, come back after they have adjusted to being out of confinement and proceed to sew through for a few minutes and check to see about oiling, cleaning etc. Normally that has already happened, but doesn't hurt to check. As for the "self-lubricating" machines, if they haven't been used steadily I will put a drop or two of oil in the bobbin area and run the machine. Mom. Dad and several home ec teachers and machine dealers and service people taught me well.

That is what my Sewing machine man told me also.

I never put them away - they are all out on the tables, so luckily I can spot any problems quite quickly. It is only the occasional visitor who thinks they need to be put in a cupboard...
I oil them, dust them and leave the presser foot down etc as they are my pieces of furniture.

I put the presser foot down with a piece of fabric between, but I learned the hard ($$$) way NOT to put the needle down. The switch was accidentally depressed in transport, and when I plugged the machine in it went through it's little alignment shudder and knocked the machine out of time as well as breaking the needle inside the machine. A costly lesson learned.

Many thanks for confirming what I was taught way back when, to me it is just a natural way to end a sewing session. You have just confirmed that my routine is a very good thing, happy sewing!

I put the needle down but never a small piece of fabric under the foot. That's what I love about this board. I am always learning something. Thanks for sharing.

There are very few days when my machine is not in use, so I don't do this either. I guess you're either going to get pressure on the take-up spring or on the throat plate, and if I had to choose which one to replace considering cost it might be the spring. I can't imagine re-learning how to leave my machine when I walk away for the day after 50+ years of sewing. Wouldn't even want to try! lol

I clean my machines every use or two, and often throughout the quilting process, since I've noticed lots of lint from moving the quilt around so much once it's sandwiched. I want my machine to run properly when I start working on something for the day.