The new BERNINA machines are more than sewing machines—they’re advanced
sewing computers. Because of this, they need to be treated a little differently than previous BERNINA machines you may have owned.
The new year is the perfect time to perform maintenance on your sewing machine. You’re through the hectic making of the holidays and should be feeling refreshed to take on a new year of projects. The following are our favorite maintenance tips to get your sewing machine in tip top shape so you’re ready to tackle all sorts of fun sewing and quilting projects. Remember: Dave’s BERNINA has a full roster of classes, events, and workshops at both our St. George and Provo locations to explore!
Tip #1 – Use a Surge Protector
Our first tip is pretty straightforward, but it’s something many sewists and quilters don’t think about—and it’s really important! Always, always plug your sewing and quilting equipment into a surge protector. As the name suggests, a surge protector will safeguard your valuable electronics should you suffer an unpredictable power surge.
Did you know you have to replace surge protectors, too? If you have surge protectors that are more than five years old, it’s time to replace them. Power surges shorten the lifespan of surge protectors, which reduces their ability to protect your electronics, turning them into “dumb power strips.” This evolution then creates the conditions for sparking a fire when heavy duty electronics are plugged into the strip, especially if there’s a power surge!
Tip #2 – Update Your Firmware
BERNINA occasionally releases firmware updates to fix minor software glitches, add support for new accessories like hoops and presser feet, or to improve existing functions. Updating your firmware ensures your machine runs smoothly and stays compatible with the latest tools.
The update process can be a little tricky, so be sure to follow the instructions carefully. If you prefer, feel free to bring your machine to the shop and we’ll be happy to update it for you. New updates were recently released for most of the current embroidery machine models—now’s a great time to check.
Tip #3 – Clean & Oil Your Machine
You should be cleaning and oiling your machine regularly for the smoothest and best operational experience—if you haven’t done that in a while, the new year is the perfect time! Lint, bits of fabric and thread, and dirt can get trapped in the different areas of your machine (under the throat plate, in the thread catcher, around the bobbin and feed dogs, etc) and this can affect your machine’s performance and even damage pieces over time.
Make sure to have a small, soft brush, tweezers, Q-tips, and clean microfiber cloths on hand when you’re ready to clean. You’ll also need to tend to the oil ports once you’re done—check your machine’s manual to identify the location of your oil ports, and only use the oil recommended for your machine.
For step-by-step cleaning instructions from BERNINA, click the video above!
Tip #4 Check/Replace Needles & Bobbin
You should replace the needle on your sewing machine after approximately 10 hours of sewing. Given just how much sewing and quilting we tend to do over the course of the holiday season, your needle likely needs to be replaced right now! A dull sewing machine needle can ruin fabric, so be sure to replace your needle asap.
Bobbins can also get damaged or worn out after hours of use. They won’t need to be replaced as often as needles, but still should be checked regularly. Inspect your bobbins to ensure they are clean and undamaged and replace them if necessary.
Dave’s BERNINA also provides maintenance and repair services. Most of our repairs take 3-5 business days, we service all makes and models, and you don’t need an appointment—you can simply drop off your machine at either of our locations. Contact us to learn more!