Why Is My Sewing Machine Not Sewing Smoothly?

Have you ever been in the middle of a sewing project when your sewing machine starts to jam or run sluggishly? Most avid sewers have experienced this, and there are a few key reasons why it might be happening. 

It’s only in very extreme cases that you’ll need to replace your machine. Most of the time, you’ll be able get your sewing projects up and running again in no time with a few quick fixes. Dealing with a slow, unresponsive machine? Here are the steps you can take to get it back on track.

Clean Your Sewing Machine 

Having a dirty sewing machine can cause all kinds of problems, especially if dust and grime is allowed to build up for an extended period of time. 

The shuttle race in your machine tends to attract dust, lint, and other unwanted substances, so it should be cleaned out approximately every three months or less, depending on how often you use your sewing machine.

If you’re an avid sewer or a sewer by trade, you may want to ensure that this area of your sewing machine is cleaned even more frequently. 

Replace the Drive Belt 

Your sewing machine’s drive belt is an important piece of its mechanics that creates motor rotation between the upper shaft and handwheel. If the drive belt is broken or worn out, you’ll notice significant changes in how your hand wheel and spindle operate. 

If your machine has become sluggish and slow, it might be time to replace your drive belt. Luckily, drive belts are easy to replace on your own. The process only takes minutes to do.   

Replace the Motor 

Your car would start to run pretty sluggishly if something was wrong with the motor, right? The same goes for the motor in your sewing machine. 

If your foot pedal is no longer activating the motor as it should and the motor is no longer driving the belt, you’ll likely need to replace it. This is pretty easy and inexpensive to do as a DIY project. 

Put Oil in Your Sewing Machine 

Frequent sewers should oil their machine approximately every three months and reapply oil if the machine has sat unused for a long time. An unoiled machine could lead to internal breakdowns, causing a sluggish sewing experience. 

Looking for more tips on sewing machine maintenance, crafting supplies, DIY ideas and more? Contact Goldstar Tool today.