VIDEO: Spice up your old sewing machine

Bring the old sewing machine up to scratch

Your old sewing machine is likely to be in the same condition as thousands of old sewing machines: it is dusty and the boom can hardly be moved because everything in the machine is gummy. Take your time and polish up the good piece.

1. Free the device from years of adhering dust. Vacuum the sewing machine with a vacuum cleaner using a brush attachment and the crevice nozzle.
2. Now the brush and the duster are used. Many old sewing machines have a wrought iron base that is ornately decorated. Clean the dust out of all the cracks.
3. Wash all parts with orange cleaner before turning to the mechanics.
4. There is usually not much mechanics on these machines, a linkage, a few gears and the pedal mechanics. Clean everything with benzine and a brush.


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5. Oil all stiff parts and the bearings. Soak a cloth in the oil and use it to rub the wrought iron frame. This even loosens light rust and the parts look like new.
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6. The old sewing machine should now be functional again. If it still does not sew correctly and you have no experience in setting up a sewing machine, it is better to have a specialist do this, it usually costs no more than 50 €.
7. A weak point in old sewing machines is the drive belt. If it's made of rubber, rub talcum powder over it to keep it supple. If it is brittle or no longer there, replace it. These belts can often still be obtained from manufacturers today.
8. All that remains is to embellish the look of the wooden parts. In most cases, it is sufficient to treat them with a high-quality furniture polish. If there are any major quirks, use wood putty in a matching color or a repair kit for laminate floors with wax pencils. With it you can fill holes and cracks professionally.

Old sewing machines should not be left idle. Thick fabrics from jeans or tents are no problem for these machines, while modern machines capitulate to them.