Zen and the Art of Sewing Machine Maintenance

“The test of the machine is the satisfaction it gives you. There isn't any other test. If the machine produces tranquility it's right. If it disturbs you it's wrong until either the machine or your mind is changed.”  (― Robert Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance)

I can still hear my mother's voice ... "WHEN DID YOU LAST OIL MY MACHINE?? ... IT SOUNDS LIKE A THRASHING MACHINE!!!"

In addition to sewing on my treadle sewing machine when I was a kid, I did sew on my mother's machine when ever I could.  It could zig zag and make buttonholes after all.

And, she's right.  A sewing machine does sound like a trashing machine if it hasn't been cleaned and oiled for a while.

Fabric lint will work it's way in everywhere!

When I was a kid, oiling a machine was a much more tedious job than it is now a days. The diagram above is very similar to the one for my mother's machine.  Every place with a letter and an arrow was supposed to get a drop of oil.  And then after the machine was oiled, you needed to sew with some scrap fabric until any excess oil worked its way out of the system or oil would end up all over your project.

This was something a teenaged seamstress was not in the mood to do.  Especially when all she wanted was to see her finished garment.

But before I go any farther on this topic, I must say the most important part about oiling any machine is ...
CLEAN OUT ALL THE LINT FIRST !!!!
If you don't do this, the oil will glue the lint together and reek havoc in your machine. It will most likely mean a trip to the repairman.

“Is it hard?'
Not if you have the right attitudes. Its having the right attitudes thats hard.” (from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance)

So, I confess.  I haven't changed that much since my youthful sewing days.  I still don't like to stop and clean my machine when I'm in the middle of things.  This is what my machine sounded like a few days ago.

YUP ... a thrashing machine ...

New machines only require the hook mechanism be oiled.  The upper part of the machine is lubricated with some fancy industrial stuff and my manual says never open it up.

Fine with me!

“One of the first warning signs of impatience is frustration at not being able to lay your hand on the tool you need right away.” (from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance)

But, seriously, read the cleaning and oiling section of your machine manual thoroughly, when you first get your machine. This is the most important part.  The other sections you can read as needed.

Here are the steps I need to take when cleaning and oiling my machine.

open the bobbin trap door

remove the bobbin

take out the hook

brush everywhere you can reach underneath - blowing or canned air is good too, but not before you've brushed and used tweezers to get as much out as possible first

take off the foot and pop off the throat plate

release the ring that holds the hook mechanism in place

brush the feed dogs

THEN put a few drops of machine oil where the manual says to

I like to let the machine run a bit while I'm oiling.

Sounds better!  Even when all the parts are put back in place. No more metallic rattle.

“The place to improve the world is first in one's own heart and head and hands, and then work outward from there.” (from Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance)

“When you make mistakes yourself you at least get the benefit of some education.” 
(― Robert Pirsig, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance)

If you want to read more quotes from the book, click on this - Quotes from ZenAnd The Art Of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry into Values

If you want to read the whole book, click on this - PDF of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.