What's The Temp?

With this short chapter we'll examine the effects that temperatures can have on your sewing machine.  This is a common problem we run into, particularly when customers come to classes.  This happens throughout the entire year but usually during the winter. It's even a factor in problems with machines when they are left alone in a hot attic or when a sewing room is in the basement and machines are allowed to sit in a basically cold and clammy environment. For example, many folks pack their machines into the car the night before classes or when transporting them to daughters-in-law's homes or for use at an enjoyable quilt club the next day.  etc. etc....In these cases the machines are very sluggish, skip stitches, have messed up tensions, and the like.

Store your machine in the car during the hot day when temps reach over 100 degrees in the back seat and lubricants could get very runny and shift position. 

Now you know that metal expands when it gets hot.  Expanding metal in a finely tuned sewing machine is a request for difficulties. Likewise, metal contracts when it gets cold.  Contracting metal in a finely tuned sewing sewing machine is also a request for difficulties.

Obviously, the solution to this problems is to keep the machine in a stable temperature.  It's ok for your machine to get warm or cool.  In these cases, just give them a few minutes to acclimate themselves before throwing the harness back on them.  In many cases extreme heat or cold will be cured by an hour or so in the proper temp, just be slow and deliberate at first go.  And don't complain that your technician messes up when in fact it's probably your own fault!

Another problem with cold or clammy or humid sewing rooms--usually in basements--is that you'll sooner or later start to see light rust develop, especially on items that you normally handle, like bobbin cases.  The sweat and salts from your hands will transfer and not dry off.  A dehumidifier will go a long way to solving lots of problems.  We've even seen straight pins (although old ones, to be sure,) that have coatings of light rust on them.  Be careful of this.