It is that time of the year again.  Time to make sure our machines are in good working order.  Suggested cleaning is twice per year at your dealer.  Be sure to do it at the very least once a year.  Taking it in to the dealer in July when stitching time is lesser is a better time then leaving it go and then being hit with problems when back to school and Holiday stitching time arrives.  Most of us take them in for a good cleaning in January and July.  That keeps them in great working order.

Here are a few helpful hints to keep running smooth between checkups.  

Make sure you always clip your thread at the top and pull straight down and out.  This keeps your tension discs clean and free of residue. 

If you have a thread break always clip your thread pull it out, and then rethread both the top and bobbin threads.  It is important to also rethread the bobbin thread as well after a break because when the thread breaks it tugs and that can tug the tension off either top or bottom.

 Clean out your bobbin area often.  Using a Q-tip helps keep the dust bunnies attached to the tip so you can easily remove them.  If your bobbin area has a felt pad in it and your machine requires it you may want to add just a drop of oil once a month or so.

Be sure to change your needle often.  And use the correct needle for stitching.

Flossing your tension discs is something you should be doing often as well.  Take a length of thread that measures from top to bottom of your threading area and triple it.  Then thread from the top to just above the needle.  Gently move just a bit back and forth, and then pull from the bottom out. That will clean the residue from the threads away as well as any waxy buildup.

Happy Stitching from Platinum Embroidery.