Build a Better Relationship with Your Sewing Machine
Keeping your machine lint free is important. Lint build-up can wick away the lubrication that protects it from wear and tear. Brush out the bobbin case/ hook area regularly. Do not use compressed air, as it can push debris back into the machine, where it can become lodged in gears and other places it doesn't belong. You are better off using a vacuum. Just be sure that there are no loose parts to suck up. Check for obvious signs of damage from broken needles and remove any left over pieces.
Lastly, the area will look clean, but lurking below or behind may be debris and lint you can't get at. The light maintenance that you do is important, but it doesn't take the place of regular service.
In the picture, you can see what remained in a machine after the bobbin area had been meticulously cleaned. This area was invisible to the client because of the covers that were not user removable. Regular service is a small investment, that will keep your sewing machine running smoothly for many years!
Climbing Seams
When climbing seams, thefabric may stop feeding at the point shown in the picture. This is where the stitches plie up and the needle can break. To solve the problem, decrease the amount pressure on the presser foot. This will allow the foot to rise up over the seam more easily and the fabric to continue feeding properly. Note: not all machines have this feature. Check your owner's manual, to see if your machine has this capability and where to make the adjustment.
Presser Foot Alignment for Precision
If your machine's presser foot is misaligned, it will be hard to achieve accurate piecing. In the picture, if you look at the edge of the foot and the edge of the opening for the feed dogs, you can see that the foot is angled slightly towards the left. As a result, as you feed the fabric, it will likely also be at this angle. The needle, even though it is centered in the needle plate, is considerably less than a 1/4 inch from the outside edge of the foot. This will result in smaller seam allowances and larger blocks than required. If you can see this same issue on your machine, take it to your trusted tech and have them correct it. A simple procedure, that will help you get better results.