Need advice
01-26-2011, 04:32 AM
#21
Power Poster
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Northern Michigan
Posts: 12,861
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
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
01-26-2011, 04:49 AM
#22
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Bosque county, Texas
Posts: 100
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?
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?
01-26-2011, 05:10 AM
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: PA
Posts: 2,879
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.
01-26-2011, 05:33 AM
#24
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Ohio
Posts: 135
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.
01-26-2011, 05:41 AM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: St. Cloud, Minnesota
Posts: 1,653
Originally Posted by lalaland
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.
Also if you're paper piecing your needle needs to be changed more frequently.
My machine tells me when the bobbin area needs to be cleaned - it stops working until I clean it.
Read your manual, there's lots of good info. in there.
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!
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.
Also if you're paper piecing your needle needs to be changed more frequently.
My machine tells me when the bobbin area needs to be cleaned - it stops working until I clean it.
Read your manual, there's lots of good info. in there.
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!
01-26-2011, 06:24 AM
#26
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Pleasant Hill MO
Posts: 1,669
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
01-26-2011, 06:25 AM
#27
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Naples, Florida
Posts: 67
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 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
01-26-2011, 07:04 AM
#28
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Westminster, Co
Posts: 2,675
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.
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