How to Repair a Sewing Machine

Sewing machines are heavy-duty appliances that can stand up to years of use. And when one stops working, often the machine just needs a good cleaning and oiling, or replacement of a simple part like the drive belt.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sewing Machine Oil
• Replacement Drive Belt
• Sewing Machine Oil
• Vacuum With Crevice Attachment
• White Lithium Grease
• Tweezers
• Tweezers
• Round Toothpick
• Small Flathead Screwdriver

Cleaning and oiling the machine

1. Unfasten the top, bottom, side and handwheel covers, using a screwdriver. Set the covers aside.

2. Remove the plate that covers the thread bobbin. If it is screwed in place, use a screwdriver. If it is held by a clip or magnet, use a small flathead screwdriver to pry up the plate.

3. Thoroughly clean inside all the openings, using a vacuum with crevice attachment. Remove any stubborn lint, and use tweezers to take out any thread that is wound around the parts.

4. Clean the teeth on the gears, using the tip of a round toothpick to loosen the grime. Vacuum to remove it.

5. Lubricate all the moving parts. Use white lithium grease on the gears, and sewing machine oil on the other parts.

6. Reassemble the machine and plug it in.

Tightening or replacing the drive belt

7. Remove the top cover, bottom cover and handwheel cover, using a screwdriver to take out the screws.

8. Inspect the drive belt. If it is slack, use your screwdriver to loosen the screws that hold the motor in place, then follow step 4, below, to increase the belt's tension. If the belt is cracked or broken, get a replacement from your sewing machine supplier.

9. Install the new belt. Loosen the motor-mounting screws, and shift the motor toward the handwheel so you can slip the belt over the parts.

10. Shift the motor away from the handwheel to increase the belt's tension, then tighten the motor-mounting screws and check the tension. The belt should flex no more than 1/2 inch (12 mm). If it is too loose, increase the tension.

11. Reinstall the covers and plug in the machine.

Tips & Warnings

• Over-oiling a sewing machine will encourage grime buildup and can lead to premature part failure. Apply just one drop of oil to each location.
• To keep your sewing machine operating smoothly, clean and oil it after every 8 to 10 hours of operation.
• To avoid electric shock and prevent your fingers from getting jammed between moving parts, always unplug your machine before working on it.

[rlsm]

on 4/19/2009 my needle stopped moving. i can press the foot pedal and hear the motor going, i can use the hand crank to manually move it up and down but otherwise, it won't move.

[cm2blues]

on 4/14/2009 My sewing machine is jammed. I was sewing some heavy things and when the needle came down....the sewing just stopped. I can't seem to get it unstuck. I think I will have to take something apart to loosen it up but I don't have the foggiest notion where to start. Help!

[redirish]

on 10/16/2008 My kenmore 1516 zigzag sewing machine will not let me sew. The pressure foot is in the way of the needle. I've tried replacing the needle and tightening the screw on the foot but nothing works. Help!

[redirish]

on 10/16/2008 My old kenmore 1516 zigzag won't let the needle down without it hitting the pressure foot. I've tried replacing the needle and readjusting the foot but it just keeps hitting it and won't let me sew! Any help would be appreciated.

[islander08]

on 10/14/2008 not picking up the bobbin thread is the problem. if a gear is stripped how do I find it?