Don’t forget the bobbin area!

With many of us at home sewing more than usual, our machines need a little extra attention to ensure they’ll run optimally until their next official service. Regularly cleaning out the bobbin area is an easy, and essential step of routine maintenance which only takes a few minutes, with minimal tools required.

 

One of the wonderful things about Janome machines is that they require very little maintenance. Your machine manual is an excellent resource for all things, including maintenance; what to do, and how, so there isn’t any guesswork. If you can’t find your manual, you can go to the Janome.ca website, click the “Support” tab, then click “Manuals” to find one for your machine. There’s even a “retired” section for machines no longer in production, so it’s an excellent resource for information.

Another great resource is our own Janome Life blog. Click on the link HERE for a previous post with lots of good tips on bobbin area maintenance.  If you haven’t done so yet, be sure to click the “Follow” tab on the main screen of the Janome Life page so you don’t miss a post!

Some of our machines, like the Janome MC 15000 Quiltmaker, and the new Janome MC 550E, include a vial of a special bobbin holder cleaner which helps clean off the lint from the bobbin holder, without damaging the resin of the bobbin holder itself. Sometimes people confuse this tube for oil, but it’s “cleaner”, not oil. Your bobbin holder does not need oil. Available from your Janome or Elna dealer, the “Bobbin Holder Cleaner Fluid” is part number #859858203.

 

(I realize in these uncertain, challenging times, that your Janome or Elna dealer may have limited hours, or may have elected to temporarily close their store, so thank you for your understanding that there may be some delay to purchase this product, or for the dealer to order it from our warehouse. As of this writing, our Janome Canada warehouse is still in operation, but that could possibly change in the coming days and weeks, so we thank you for your continued patience and understanding.)

How often you clean the bobbin area really depends on how much sewing you do, and with what materials. Cotton flannel will generate more lint than a polyester knit, or leather, for example, so there’s no magic number of hours to follow. When it doubt, clean it out! lol!

 

 

How often you clean the bobbin area really depends on how much sewing you do, and with what materials. Cotton flannel will generate more lint than a polyester knit, or leather, for example, so there’s no magic number of hours to follow. When it doubt, clean it out! lol!

A flexible nylon brush and a rag from an old, well washed t-shirt are my favourite (and very inexpensive!) cleaning tools. 

When I starting sewing (dare I say that was 30 years ago?! lol!) I was taught to clean the bobbin area every 8 hours, which is when we were also told to change the needle. Again, nothing is set in stone; it’s just a guideline. Some of our more sophisticated Janome machines like the Janome MC 15000 Quiltmaker and the fabulous new Janome Continental M7 have messages pop-up on their respective screens when it’s time to clean the bobbin area, so it’s great to have a reminder. Again, this can be adjusted to suit personal preference. Personally, I love having this notice prompt me as it’s one less thing I have to think about.

Here’s a little video, divided into Part 1 and Part 2, to show how I clean the bobbin holder and bobbin area of my machine.

A clean, lint-free bobbin area will also help alleviate some stitching woes, like tension issues and skipped stitches. Click on the links for Part 1, Part 2 and Part 3 of my series on “Skipped Stitches Solutions” for many more helpful hints.

Take care, stay safe and Happy Sewing!