Sewing Machine --professional maintenance
 

My Bernina died on me so off to the repairman it went. He really scolded me (kindly) because it was full of lint and had frozen the needle bar and something else. He was able to fix it, but told me me I was mighty close to ruining my sewing machine because I had not had it serviced. I think it had not been to the shop for more than 5 years (I'm ashamed to say) and I do use it lots. I keep the bobbin area cleaned, but this lint was inside the machine where I can't get to it. Just a note to encourage others like me--take time to get your machine cleaned! Mine was only gone 2 days and it sews like a charm once again. It did cost a bundle--$105.00, but that is still a lot cheaper than a new machine!

Great advice, I have mine serviced once a year.

That is good advice. I never go more than a year and a half without having mine serviced.

Oh, so that's what is wrong with mine right now. :o I've been meaning to get it serviced, but it has been awhile.

Thank you for reminding me, I do tend to put this off!

I try to drop my machine off whenever we're out of town for a few days, so I don't miss it while it's gone. I have a service maintenance agreement, so it doesn't cost anything for cleaning and servicing, and the dealer also checks to see if there are any new software downloads for my machine. I would really like to see how much lint is accumulating in those areas I can't get to. Maybe I'll ask the technician to let me look next time.

Thanks for the reminder, I just cleaned mine out in the bobbin area but I know there is that nasty furr ball lurking in there somewhere ready to leap out oh, no wait, that's the bogey man.

My new Bernina 440 QE tells me when it needs to go in for service. A little set of tools appears in the computer display. How cool is that?

My Bernina 440 had her last yearly maintenance a bit more than a year ago, but I'm going to wait until summer to take it in next. I don't sew on it nearly as much as I used to since I now have a separate quilting machine and my vintage machines! I wish the newer machines were as easy to service as my vintage ones. I can get into all the corners on the old machines and on my multi-needle embroidery machines, but my Berninas are sealed up so you have to take them in for service :( I do take my serger in for maintenance each year. I do lots and lots of baby things for charity mostly, and the flannel generates a huge amount of fluff. I work hard at keeping it cleaned, but there are parts where I can't get into it. I've learned to just schedule the maintenance for when I'm on my summer vacation!

Pam

Just curious as to what type machine you have? I had my mom's old Bernina 830/810 I can't remember#,
She bought in the 70's and gave to me in '93. I hate to admit it, but I never had it professionally serviced, It still
runs like a champ! I purchased a Janome 6500 about 2.5 yrs ago and use it 4 out of 7 days a week! Kinda scared
to take it in for a cleaning... the old saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". I'm sure the newer models are not near as durable as the older mechanical kind.