When I spent a few glorious mornings in Arlington Sewing Machine Supply learning about my new Sewing & Embroidery Machine, I met Charles. Charles is one of the men who services the sewing machines on site at the shop (It’s very important to find a shop that repairs machines on site.) So I stalked Charles everywhere he went in the shop and asked him a million idiotic questions. He was very nice and answered them all. He also told me the #1 reason machines end up damaged and what you can do to prevent it! Any guesses?
So you know how experts say that you should get a sewing machine serviced every once in a while, especially if it’s been in storage? A tune-up? One of the main things they do when they service your machine is to open it up and clean it out. Lots of dust and thread and (dread) even bugs (and double dread) mouse nesting (etc.) can get trapped. I heard some horrifying war-stories as I was stalking Charles! All that gross stuff trapped in your machine can do bad things. Least of which, it can effect your machine sensors and throw off the tension. If your machine thinks you are using thicker thread because there are trapped thread-bits, it won’t work correctly. So bad tension is annoying but all that nasty stuff in there can also… catch your machine on fire! OMG! This happened to my sister-in-law. I’m not kidding.
So my point is that you should keep your machine serviced. Also, if it sits in storage or is purchased second-hand, take it for a check-up before you “fire” it up. But there is also something you can do day-to-day to keep your machine running smoothly. It has to do with how you change thread in your machine.
Has anyone else just grabbed a hold of the spool and pulled it up through the top of your machine? Well, that is bad. It rubs the thread along all of the internal machanics leaving thread dust and residue and broken pieces.
What you need to do, is:
1. Raise your presser foot. 
2. Snip the thread at the top of the machine.
3. Gently pull thread out from bottom of machine, above needle.
So no more yanking, ok? It’s bad for our beautiful machines. Sew on Prudent mamas!
