A i stated in another post, i have a basic machine that cost about £80 a few years ago. It's done me well for the basics, but recently i've had a problem with some of the stitches on it. When you select a stitch, it does'nt seem to be doing the stitch you want.

This could have something to do with the tensions and stitch sizes, i'm not sure, however i do know that i hardly ever clean the thing. A quick rub over with a baby wipe is about as much as it gets.

I asked in a nearby sewing shop and the guy said he charged £40 an hour to look at it, plus parts. Sorry but in 2 hours i could have bought a new machine!

I just took a look briefly on the net and there seems to be a few sites that tell you how to clean the insides. I wondered if any of you do this or do you get yours serviced/fixed at a shop?

Thanks,

Calv.

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I unscrew the bobbin case and take off the foot plate and clean it out with a brush. It tends to get a bit clogged up with fluff and thread and can cause your stitches to go funny.

You could try that first.

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I take the fluff out from time to time and oil the bits thats all
what does that man do in 2 hours? build a new one?

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It sounds like a tension thing - and maybe a good clean.

I have oiled and defluffed mine. I think my manual tells me that basic stuff.

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I am a fluff brusher and olier too - sometimes you have to sit and read the manual to make sure you have all the settings right as things get moved and knocked etc. Also the type of thread used to effect older machines - they liked proper cotton not the naster modern fibre stuff. It is a good idea to get them serviced occasionally if you use it alot but I find once the tension starts playing up thats it. As a guide I bought a Janome - New Home one oooh 12 years ago and about 4 years ago the tension went on it so i returned it to the manu for £25 for postage and also to fix and service - yes £25 all in so I think he is being a bit cheeky - a basic service shouldn't be that long and he should know how long it will take on a simple machine. See if you can find someone else that can have a lookesee and get another quote

Rachel

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I brush the fluff out of my machine every time I use it (not that often these days) and oil occasionally. It's a Pfaff and I've had it around 20 years and never had a problem so far.

I think 2 hours at £40 per hour for a basic clean and service is a bit on the expensive side - Lidl have sewing machines for around £60 every now and again. I know they haven't got the reputation that Janome have, but for a basic machine I wouldn't think there is a great deal to go wrong these days.

Linda

When I clean my machine I remove the foot plate and use a cotton bud dipped in the machine oil to remove the fluff underneath - all what everyone else has said already about tension but if you are sewing paper you do need a loose tension so the stitches don't pucker - good idea to make sure you use the same thread in the bobbin as in the top - does make a difference and cotton thread is better for sewing card I have found - I would just play around with the settings and see what happens - try sewing material as well with the set up and then try your card with a sharp needle! Have fun!