How to to Clean a Sewing Machine Bobbin Case

The bobbin case is located on the bed of the sewing machine, directly under the needle and presser foot. Dust, lint, and bits of thread can accumulate in the bobbin case, affecting sewing performance. It is necessary to clean the bobbin case periodically to prevent buildup of harmful elements. There are some simple steps to cleaning the bobbin case, steps that can prevent problems in the future.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• sewing machine
• bobbin case
• soft brush or vacuum cleaner
• instruction manual for sewing machine

1. This one seems obvious, but it is important. Turn off the machine AND unplug it. You don’t want any accidents. Your fingers will be directly under the needle during this process and you do NOT want to find out what happens if the machine is accidentally turned on or the needle accidentally lowers into the bobbin case. Once you have assured that the machine is off AND unplugged, raise the presser foot and needle.

2. There is a small screw holding the presser foot and another one holding the clamp to hold the needle. Loosen both screws and remove the both the presser foot and needle. This will give you room to work on the bobbin case. Set the presser foot and needle aside so they do not get lost or knocked off the table.

3. You will also need to remove the needle plate cover. In most machines you will do this by grasping both sides of the cover and sliding it toward you. This will expose the entire bobbin area and you will be able to easily lift the bobbin case out of the ‘race’ or bobbin case holder. The area surrounding the race is where the dust and sewing debris will collect.

4. Use a cleaning brush or small vacuum cleaner to carefully remove the dust, etc. Clean both the race and the surrounding area thoroughly. Do not ever use water or oil to clean this part of the sewing machine. Oil residue will remain and possibly stain future sewing projects. Remove any dust from the bobbin case before returning it to the race.

5. Return the bobbin case to the race, making sure it is aligned correctly. For clarification on alignment of the bobbin case, consult the user manual for your machine. Return the needle plate cover, the needle, and the presser foot. Your machine is now ready to be re-threaded with a new bobbin.

Tips & Warnings

• Clean the bobbin case at least once a quarter if the sewing machine is used weekly. More often if you sew daily.
• Consult the user manual for your particular machine for exact instructions.
• Never use a bobbin case that is scratched or the thread may become tangled, the needle could break or other sewing performance could suffer.
• Make sure the bobbin case is aligned properly, otherwise the needle may break when it enters the bobbin area.

[sabrinacareer]

on 7/21/2009 Great article on how to clean the sewing machine bobbin case

[karileighk]

on 7/8/2009 I'd hate to think what would happen if they didn't turn it off!!