Chapter 24 Sewing Equipment
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Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
• Check to see that the machine needle is not bent or damaged before begin-
ning to sew.
• Wear shoes when operating the machine to protect your feet from dropped
pins or other tools.
• If your hair is long, tie it back.
• Avoid loose-fi tting clothing or jewelry that could interfere with the opera-
tion of the machine.
• Keep your fi ngers safely away from the needle and presser foot, at least
one inch.
• Do not push or pull fabric while sewing, but allow the fabric to feed itself
through the machine.
• Do not sew over pins or put them in your mouth.
• Start slowly, gently pressing the foot pedal to the desired speed.
• Keep your eyes on your sewing at all times.
• Use good posture to keep from tiring, and do not lean too close to the needle.
• When you are fi nished sewing, turn off the machine and unplug it from
the electrical outlet before removing the power cord from the machine.
Hold the plug, not the cord.
Caring for the Sewing Machine
A sewing machine is a precise instrument that will stitch well if you give it
the proper care. You will need to do your part in keeping the machine clean and
running smoothly. Follow these guidelines:
• Unplug the sewing machine before
cleaning it.
• Remove lint and fl uff from the exposed
parts using a soft cloth. Clean the
machine head, tension discs, take-up
lever, thread guides, presser foot bar,
and needle bar.
• With a small lint brush, clean behind
the face plate and around the feed
dog and bobbin case. You may need to
remove the entire bobbin case, 24-14.
• Check to see if you are to oil your
machine. Many newer machines never
need to be oiled. If your machine is to be
oiled, follow the instruction manual. Be sure to only use sewing-machine
oil. Use only the amount recommended, which is usually just a drop. Then
sew a few lines of stitching on a scrap of fabric to remove excess oil.
• Cover the sewing machine when it is not in use to keep dust away from
the machine.
If you have a sewing machine at home, check the use and care manual that
came with your machine. It will tell you how to care for your machine each
time it is used. It will also tell you what needs to be done every few months to
keep your machine running well for many years.
Prym-Dritz Corp.
24-14 Use a lint
brush to clean the
face plate, feed dog,
and bobbin case.
Change machine
needles whenever
they become dull.