Bro', I'm a salty old bachelor who finally got sick of discarding perfectly good garments over minor issues & just got my first machine. I feel like an ancient explorer who just discovered a new continent. Right on dude!

This video was super helpful, especially for a novice like me. The teeth in my sewing machine were caked with lint. Fabric is feeding through so much smoother now. Thanks for taking the time to explain this maintenance so throughly!

Love the pipecleaner tip, thank you! The other thing you mentioned that will help is to always have the presserfoot up when threading or unthreading the machine. I have probably not been consistent about having the presser foot up. Also, I probably need to change my needles more often. I agree absolutely with dusting before oiling, have done it that way since I started sewing.

I was at a loss trying to figure out how to oil my machine. This video made it look too easy but I tried it anyway. Now, my sewing machine is humming instead of pounding and I'm a happy crafter again! Thank you "sew" much!!!!

This tutorial could not have been done any better. Thank you! You just saved the life of a Janome because I was ABOUT TO put oil on every possible hole I see 🥲 followed and subscribed

OMG you fixed my machine!! I clean the race quite often but never took the whole plate off to clean the feed dogs! My poor machine had so much lint between it’s teeth it looked like little sticks of felt. Thank you!! She’s actually pulling material in with out my help!! I wish I found this video sooner

Thanks man. I am a 66 yo male. I am trying to teach myself how to sew. (I am a beginners beginner) For a weird reason I can relate to your instruction with more ease. I was given an old Kenmore 12 stitch sewing machine that has sat on a shelf in a garage for 30+ yrs. I did take it to a local service center to have a thorough going over. Once done though, your instructions will greatly benefit me. Thanks for your video.

You are the best for information on sewing machines. Like your tips.

My favorite machine is my early 70's Pfaff 1222 which came with maintenance and oiling directions. But my Baby Lock Melody had no such directions and I have been uncomfortable with that as I've worked on cleaning it. Thank you so much for explaining how to clean, maintain, and oil this little beauty. I am going to follow your instructions and DO IT!

My wife sews, whenever the machine gives trouble, I clean it up. Thanks for the tips and I love your enthusiasm.

Thank you! I learned several things watching your video. Shortly after watching, I even started cleaning the feet by removing the cover (with a pipe cleaner, no less!). Now I know why that screwdriver came with the sewing machine. Placed a new needle in, and not only was the stitching less strained, I could easily backstitch! Awesome!

Wow this is so awesome! Thanks for the great tips and advice. My 8 yr old son was so stoked to see a man who can sew. He loves to sew like me.

Thank you Rob! Your face is light a big ole ray of sunshine! It really draws in your listeners!

I would like to say thank you very much for your videos. I have two Kenmore's and both started having tension issues where the back side was gathering thread. Nothing I adjusted helped. HOWEVER, I took both apart, as you have shown, and cleaned out a ton of dust bunnies. Put everything back together and WOW....just like new. Amazing that this simple clean project worked so well. Thank you for making the effort for these videos and thank you for saving me money because I was headed out to a repair shop!

Rob, thank you for your thorough explanation of how to resolve tension issues. I started out with a bunched up mess of thread on the bottom of my fabric and am now able to start sewing much needed face masks. You are terrific!

I never knew oiling the bobbin area was a thing. I have placed a magnet beside my machine that I put the screws and needle on so not to have them disappear. Now I am going to give it some oil and put back together. Thank you.

Thank you so much for all your tutorials, Rob! I love to watch them and get ideas as I am just a beginner quilter and your videos are such a help!

Wow. The clearest, most helpful video for cleaning out there. THANK YOU!

I've had a problem with my Baby Lock breaking needle thread lately after doing a lot of machine embroidery. Tried your pipe cleaner trick on the tension disks; pulled out all sorts of lint and thread bits. Stitching fine now! That ONE hint was fantastic! It's great to see another dude into sewing and your tutorials are practical as well as helpful. Perhaps the masculine appeal is the mechanics of operating and maintaining the machines, as well as trouble shooting and problem solving. A buddy who is a diesel mechanic is restoring a vintage 1930s Ford roadster. He was appalled at the prices of professional upholstery work and decided to try it himself. He had his mom's 1970s Japanese sewing machine and I showed him some basic operation. He saw parallels between sewing and mechanics; he was able to do the headliners and seat covers! He was proud that he was able to hem up a pair of jeans after watching YOUR video!!!

Thank you for this video. I searched 2 hours for info on oiling a Baby Lock Esante ES1 that I picked up at a thrift shop, with no luck until you!

Thank you .. your tips and tricks have been lightbulb moments for me.

Great advice. I do service and appreciate you telling people to do just the things they need to do. Yes I have had them dripping in oil! I tell people "you have to service your car so yes, you have to service your sewing machine." That is a hard pill for those who buy the Walmart special for $100.00 and a service is near that if there are no broken peices. But If they see great machines like you have they will move up to a machine that makes them happy. Nothing is nicer than using a good quality machine if you have struggled with a low budget one. The dealer I work with sometimes borrows out a decent machine if the customer has need of service and has a project they need to finish, and they usually come back to buy one just like they were using.

This tutorial helped get my 20-year old Kenmore humming like new again. Thanks!

This was awesome! No one ever told me to clean my sewing machine before. I did just what you said, and wow! I've never seen that much fuzz this side of a lint trap before. Thanks!

Hi Rob, I loved this tutorial and learnt a thing or two or three. I thought I was all set in my cleaning as I never let the fluff build up and NEVER use canned air after seeing what it did to a machine on Pinterest. I am guilty of doing exactly what the manufacturer said and NOT oil, but I will now do as you have clearly explained. The second thing I learnt today was about threading with the foot raised. I did not know that, how could I not know that? I thread whether it's up or down which explains why sometimes I find it much harder to do. The third thing I learnt was to clean there also. I always use a pipe cleaner to clean even where my drop in bobbin is to get to those places the brush can't reach. I even bought myself a set of mini accessories for the vacuum so I could suction. So you see I thought I was good but I missed the areas you mention where the thread goes. THANK YOU SO MUCH. This is so helpful.

We got Mum's old Thomson SZ from the 1950s out the other day and a few of your videos made it run just like new. You're brilliant! Thank you.

I just want to thank you ..after watching a ten other channels you helped me fix my tenion I had been working on it for a couple of days .Thank you Thank you so much.

Thank you, Rob, for the tutorial. I find it somewhat difficult to follow you as you speak so quickly! I´m not a native, so I sometimes put subtitles in English. But, I find your explanations very clear and useful. Love your ring!

What a super fantastic set of vids this week!! They were all fantastic. Thanks so much!

Looking around the web first before I touch this old Singer. I must Applaud you, sir!

Thank you, Rob, you are great. I have a very modest sewing machine and I try to clean it periodically taking out all those little things she has inside. But sometimes I feel I miss too many parts. Thank you for your advice!!

This video helped me get my sewing machine back up in 5 minutes 🙌🏾🙌🏾 I was going to pay to get it fixed, thank you!

Thank you so very much, just before I watched this, I had seen half a dozen of these vlogs but not one of them addressed my issue, I was also about to purchase blow off air can until I saw you, and what a minefield of info you are, you addressed most if not all my concerns, some unvoiced. I love this video and will thumbs up for sure.

I bought 3 in 1 because it's half the price of machine oil. I guess I'll have to bite the dust and but the expensive oil. My little Janome only shows one place to oil. I sub'd to some different sewing channels and after sewing my whole life-mostly when I was younger-I've learned so much! I feel like a dummy. One thing that's my biggest issue is I'm not changing my needle often enough. I just use and use and use them until I need to change if I change the type of fabric I sew. I'm going to throw all my needles away! I sub'd. I want to get back to sewing more! Thanks!

I can't believe I didn't know the tension disks move in and out depending on the foot position. Life changed!

WOW_ ROB - I'm 72 yrs old and have learned so much from watching your video on oil &cleaning your machine. I have an old Kenmore from the 1960's cabinet model. It has sorta seized up on me. I have neglected it. (sorry) so before I go off to buy supplies I wanted to know what I was doing before I go out. I have had someone service my machine but not for YEARS. I have those 2 oil holes. I thought that is what they were & now I know thanks to you. I feel confident now taking to the oil bottle. THANKS carole

This was so helpful! I appreciate the detail in what not to do vs what to do. Great vid! Short, sweet, and to the point!

I am a semi retired appliance repairman. Great video. My Wife sees quilts on a Janome 6700p.Thanks for the good info.

Love your videos. I always keep a magnetic pin tray handy when I'm taking out needles, screws, etc. You don't want to lose those darn little bitty screws. It helps! Thanks for all you post, AWESOME!

Hi Rob. I work for a sewing machine/quilt store in Round Rock, TX. I appreciate your videos, and I often refer to our customers to look at different training videos to get the most out of their machines. On the tension video-- well done (even I learned a few things!)-- it would be helpful to edit it to include HOW to adjust the bobbin case with the adjustable screw for horizontal loading machines . It is not always practical to use 40 weight thread in the fixed bobbin case provided by Babylock/Brother-- using 60 and 90 weight bobbin thread does work best when using the decorative stitches. And, not all machine lines have fixed screws, e.g., the Pfaff/Husqvarna line standard bobbin case does not include a fixed screw. So, hopefully you can address this and show folks how to adjust that screw on a horizontally placed bobbin case. And, it is always good to leave one bobbin case, side or top loading, at the manufacturer's setting, and buy a second adjustable one to play with as needed-- embroidery stitches, bobbin work (and some brands with top loading bobbins have special bobbin work cases), etc. Thanks for helping inform our customers how to take care of their machines, and when it is really necessary to bring them in! Sometimes once a year is really overkill...

My bobbin cage kept lifting and jamming my thread on the bottom .. I watched ur video and cleaned my bobbin cage, put it back and it worked .. I had dust down there ., thank you so much

Hi there Rob good too see ya thank you so much for all your information take care 👋👋👋👋👋👋

I definite have to thank you. I took my older Janome sewing machine in to get serviced about 5 years ago and haven't used to since, however with the new circumstances that we are all facing. I decided to sew some masks up and yes some jeans. I do have a newer Bother but it's a computer sewing machine and it's for quilting etc. Even that one sat around for a few years. Anyways I watched your video and cleaned and oiled the Janome. I was going to get rid of it, but thanks to you I got it working and it's better for heavier jobs. I saw that the the Janome is a better sewing machine or it's on Amazon as a heavy duty machine. I was having problems getting the Janome to sew properly but I did. I'm keeping both. Learned a few tips from watching your videos Thank you again and Happy Sewing

thank you, thank you, thank you. This is the first video I have seen that explains clearly how to do maintenance on my sewing machine. Rob you are wonderful and I enjoy your video very much. It's nice to see that quilting is not just for females.

thank you for this Rob! I have a 1950 singer Anniversary machine my mother bought (and paid for from sewing for $$), and have in the past 2 years purchased another singer Classic (I wanted the easy ability for zigzag and other stitches). I'm old :-) and a bit timid about taking these machines "apart", but know they need to be dusted and the old one oiled. You have now given me confidence to do what I'm able. And I agree...at least every 2 years let the pro's correct and clean. And cleaning the tensions....well, who knew????

Thank you so much for the maintenance videos. I just had my machine cleaned professionally but didn't know what I needed to do to keep it running well. My thread kept breaking and it would sound like it hit something. Sure enough my feed dogs were full of fuzz.

Hello! First of all, thank you for all that you do! I would love to see more sewing machine maintenance videos. For instance, everyone shows how to service and change the tension assembly when it's the old knob, but not when it's the dial wheel like the newer machines have. I have a machine where I was trying to adjust it and the spring fell out and so far I've not seen anything (videos, service manuals, or schematics) online on how to orient it when I put it back together. I'm thinking I can't be the only one looking for this info. Anyhow, I love your stuff and I hope you keep doing what you're doing!

You are so great, I enjoy your demos , it is always clear and detailed. Thank you.

Thank you for another great video. I always use a very small, natural bristle cosmetic (eye shadow) brush. They're cheap. Readily available and instead of "brushing" away the lint, every bit of lint actually clings to the natural bristles. After a few strokes I just wipe all the lint off the brush onto a piece of scrap fabric or batting.

From Beautiful Singapore: All your videos are wonderful so easy to understand!

Thanks again Rob, for some great information. I have a Jane and a Sofia. Have a great one!

Thank you for your excellent cleaning tips! I have a lovely Pfaff 230 that was made in Germany between 70 and 75 years ago (about the same age I am), complete with Automatic Dial-A-Stitch system and its original user manual. I paid $100 for her, refurbished, from a Singer store in Dallas in 1973 and have never been tempted to replace her. Much of your advice in this video applies well to this grand old lady, who with her all metal body and mechanisms, still functions as well as I imagine she did when she was an agile young girl. I seldom use the decorative stitches she offers, but the last time I tried she was pretty cantankerous. I suspect these lady parts of hers need some cleaning and oiling as well.

hello, this was so, so helpful before thinking of taking in for service. I've use my machine for about six months. thanks again.

The man that has done my maintenance for years, asked me to bring in my can of sewing oil when I picked up my 1967 singer. So I did, he took it from me and tossed it in the trash, saying you don't get to oil anything else. I've always sent my machine in once a year. Now I have a Babylock too, but still have no oil rights if I want him to service my machine 😉

This is valuable information. I get many seeing machines donated to me. I needed these instructions. Thank you.

Hi Never watched your videos before - but will be watching them again! Loved your explanations - clear and humourous. I will be recommending you to my quilting group. Thanks so much . Davina Cheshire, England.

Again,,,,,,,,,,,,,,THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL HELPFUL TUTORIAL!!!Hugs

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I have been so scared to touch my machine but you made it easy for this 72 yr old. I will definitely clean it regularly now. 😀

Thanks, I really like your channel. I have learned a lot. Keep up the good work Dave

Thanks so much for your video! Local sewing machine repair is closed due to the virus and my machine was acting up due to all the masks I've been making! This video help explain so much and I was able to get my old girl working right again! People helping people!!!!

Thanks Rob, really helpful and straight-forward guidance x

Awesome video. Thank you for explaining on how to maintain our sewing machines. I have some bad habits I need to break if I want to keep my machine in good order.

Thank you -this was extremely helpful. I did not know what other functions the release of the pressure foot did other than taking the pressure off the fabric. Rather sad you don't get this type of info in sewing classes.

Thanks for the refresher. I am reminded to pay attention to my manual too!

From one dude to another - keep up the great work mr .... Nige (UK)

I've just watched 3 of your fantastically helpful videos. I actually adjusted my bobbin tension once a while back from my owners' manual (after several moves) like you show, but I've been 'scared' of unscrewing that plate to clean & oil, and never knew not to pull threads backwards when changing spools, nor that the foot had to be raised while threading, nor even that a pipe-cleaner could be used to clean the tension system in my Pfaff 1530! I'll certainly be watching more soon. Thanks! It doesn't seem like rougher treatment in moving should affect the bobbin, but I spent quite a while analyzing the top v bottom thread tension, like you showed and was also in my now lost manual before I finally made the adjustment! I have access to the manual online, so I'm OK.

Thank you! This was very helpful.

I live on an island and I wish our local shop was agreeable. I tried to get my hand-me-down sewing machine (from the 70s?) serviced. The store owner promptly pushed me to purchase one of her beautiful brand new $1,000 - $9,000 sewing machines. I told her it was not in my budget. Honestly, if i could afford a 9K machine I wouldn't be tuning up this old clunker so I could keep my kids clothed! After politely declining her financing options and turning down her "once in a lifetime deal" with discounts. She finally told me that she refused to tune-up my machine since it was old and the "screws may break off" when she opened it up. So I collected my dinosaur machine off the table and did my 'walk of shame' out the door. Anyhow, long story just to say thank you for posting videos like this. Not all of us have the option of having our machines professionally serviced. :)

Love that I found you. You go dude!

Thanks for the tips. I'm in the process of trying to service my mother's sewing machine for her. My Dad used to do it because he used to sell them. He's passed on now so she needs me to help her. Thanks!

Great, clear and FAST thanks more please!

Thank you! This was an excellent video.

Thank you for this great video. Lots of good information and do's and don'ts. I appreciate the pipe cleaner tip. Didn't know about that one.

wow my machine was full of lint, and I cleaned and oiled my machine and ow it sounds like brand new,, it is very quiet too, thank you for the good tutorial

I think that u r an incredible educator. So easy to understand.

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! I've only been sewing since September '15 , and was trying to figure out the best way to oil my machine (Singer Tradition 2277), and this helps immensely! I plan to get as many miles as possible out of my machine, but the maintenance aspect has been somewhat tricky for me.

I am So glad I learned from you not to use 3 in 1 oil Thank you Rob for another great video

What a helpful video!

Do you have a bunch of caffeine before you film these ? 😂 you have the most energy of anyone I’ve seen making sewing machine maintenance videos, it’s great, thank you 🙏

Hello Robb,great idea to use a ten-cent coin. However, I find that a metal bobbin gives better hold and no risk to slip like the mini coin.

Thanks for the video! I just cleaned my machine last night!

You know, I am a little in shock. I got my hand-me-down machine in August ‘23 and have made 12 quilts since. I’m working on my 13th right now and not once did it occur to me to oil my machine. I called my local maintenance guy and he said the suggested timeframe is every 8 hours of sewing to swap out your needle & oil. It’s been a lot longer than 8 hours….

So awesome thanks for putting this video up 👍🏻

Can I use a tiny vacuum to clean? Thank you for the tutorial, very helpful!

Thank you so much, I learn a lot this morning

Thank you so much for this video.I was just about to try to oil my quantum xl 100 and i was not sure how to care for it.I appreciate your video.

I learned so much...thank you!

I found while cleaning my beyond basic machine, is that sewing scissors fit nicely in those bevel screws! saved my butt from having to buy a special screwdriver! lol

Awesome info! Thanks so much!

great tips rob! thanks

Rob.... something I have found when cleaning my machine (in the area where the thread comes out of the bobbin case), I get a build up of lint from the thread and have to use a pin to pick it out. I can tell the difference when sewing whether I have a build up or not. I have to clean this quite often. Thanks form the video... was quite informative

Yay thank you for doing this video!

Brilliant information. Thank you.

Thanks for this great information!

Hi there Rob such Amazing advice tysmc xx

I spent a lot of time this morning doing every step that you said to do on my brother 950d. You're amazing! I thought I was going to have to take it in for service. Lo and behold it was dirty. Not sure why I didn't think of that myself. Never stop posting I love love love love love this Channel. You've helped me out of a lot of jams no pun intended LOL

Thank you for you very clear, informative video, the problem I am having with my Brother sewing machine is that when I double my material for hemming then this clanking noise starts, it sounds fine when just normal sewing, I have never oiled my machine as it stated that it is already oiled, so Im thinking that I will try the oil in the bobbin case and see if that works, you have given me some very handy hints and I will follow your instructions, thank you once again

Thanks for sharing that vital information about the compressed air spray, the store where I bought my machine suggested it. I will not use it any longer, good thing I recently bought a camera objective duster wich has a pump, so that can do the trick.

Great videos!

Thank you so much for making these videos. Can you do a review on your favorite starter machines and the best ways to buy them?