6 easy steps to keep your sewing machine spotless and running well

After all our quilting fun this week, it’s time to clean! In yesterday’s post, I embroidered a custom quilt label with PFAFF’s creative 3.0. In today’s post, I’ll show you the tools and process for cleaning the machine to get it ready for more quilting!

Step 1 – Assemble your tools

This week I’ve been busy trying several different techniques on the creative 3.0. From free motion quilting, to quilting and embroidering, I’ve put the machine through its paces, so I figured it was time to clean out the bobbin area and change the needle.

The creative 3.0 comes with basic tools ready for cleaning. Honestly, I wouldn’t think to clean my machine after week of simply piecing patchwork, but once I’ve quilted with batting I like to clean out the bobbin area to prevent problems before they occur.

Step 2 – Remove the needle plate

What I like about the PFAFF machines is how easy they are to clean – that makes me more willing to take the time to do it.
The stitch plate comes off without having to deal with any screws! Simply pop off the needle plate with the mini screwdriver and put it aside.

Step 3 – Lift out other removable parts

Then there are a few more pieces to remove which simply lift out – be careful of the cutting edge on the little gray piece though!

Step 4 – Brush gently

With everything out, it’s time to use the brush to clean between the feed dogs and in and around the bobbin area.

Step 5 – Replace all of the parts

Remember not to blow any air into this area – I know it’s tempting but resist the temptation! Just keep putting the brush in and gently push it around.

Once the brush comes up clean it’s time to put everything back in. Again with no screws required, the needle plate clicks into place.

Step 6 – Replace the needle

Next it’s time to change the needle with this cool multipurpose tool.

The needle goes into the hole and you can hold the tool while unscrewing the screw that holds the needle. Yes, there’s a screw and it should be tight – remember how fast the machine was stitching when it was completing that embroidery!

Optimistically, I inserted a new quilting needle hoping that I’ll continue to work on my quilt this week – it’s sooo close to being done!

Now that I’m finished cleaning I can put the tools away in the front accessory tray. This storage space on the PFAFF creative 3.0 has two levels – it store tools underneath and keeps bobbins and presser feet lined up in the removable top piece.

With the machine clean and a new needle inserted, there’s nothing stopping you from starting another project with the PFAFF creative 3.0!