30 minute video In this video I’ll walk you through my daily longarm maintenance routine. These are things we should be doing daily to help maintain our machines
@Valerie Greenwell Thank you, Valerie!!!! 😊 I'm so glad i found your channel & subscribed. I'm a newbie too, I've been watching sewing with Nancy on PBS to fall asleep too (not because I think quilting is boring, but because I love Nancy's soothing voice & her sewing tutorials. You see, I'm a vintage doll collector, and I love sewing period outfits and costumes for my dollies. I display them in a large, glass doors vintage cabinet, and I'm obsessed with changing their outfits to match seasons and holiday themes). I ended up falling in love with the Quilted art world 🎨 and what seems to me (a beginner) an infinite universe of ideas, methods, techniques, notions, trims, floss, lace, ribbons, scraps, embroidery, patchwork, applique, on and on.... that the quilting world makes possible, and that sounds magical & exciting to me. I can't wait to get started 😀 Thank you!
I really appreciate the instructions for keeping the machine and frame clean. I am awaiting the delivery of my first machine and frame, and strangely I never heard this helpful information. Thank you.
That oil absorbing sheet is brilliant and I will definitely find some to use because I do keep a clear plastic cover on my table for covering my paper pantographs, and when the oil drips it warp the plastic.
You are a real machine lover. The better you care for it, the longer it lasts. I dont own a long arm, but your advice and tips are so valuable to us all.
Valerie, Great tips for every quilt cleaning. I clean my machine in similar ways by not every quilt, now I know better, and learned about cleaning the wheels. Thank you for very important tips!!
Do you have an instruction list available as there are several maintenance items didn’t realize needed to be done. Very thorough video-thanks for sharing, Valerie!
Thank You Valerie! So helpful & comprehensive. Will definitely be incorporating some of your suggestions into my current clean machine routines Enjoy your videos. You’re very talented & I look forward to your content Thanks
I’ve always used alcohol to wipe down my wheels and tracks. Works great. Also use a compressed air blower to clean out my bobbin area - and blow off thread bits from my leaders. I used to use a paint brush but found compressed air worked better for me.
Alcohol can be hard on the plastics and could cause it to crack over time. And condensed air emits moisture which I wouldn’t want on my leaders or inside my bobbin area. But I’m sure you know the risks and I’m glad you have a routine that works for you. 😊
@@ValerieGreenwellQuiltArtistry I was actually taught to use alcohol by Marie Tallman, one of the early beta testers. So far (10+ years), it’s worked well for me.
@Valerie Greenwell i just use scrap batting and a bottle of regular alcohol - and the tracks are metal, anyway. Like you, I clean thoroughly after finishing up for the day. Sure feels good to keep my machine running in tip-top shape. Only difference I was taught was the oiling spot above motor gets 12 drops, all others 2 drops. Maybe the newer machines take less? 🤷🏼♀️
Compressed air in a bobbin area is not good because what you're doing is your compressing the air it's not cleaning it out it's compressing it in packs up and builds up that is one thing on your comment. I noticed that I felt that I wanted to share and help you that's not a good idea. I don't use compressed air thinking you're cleaning out the concept sounds right, but in all reality, it's actually compressing it into it and making it worse. Makes a build up until there is that you might not be able to reach
@@user-mp9ur3bj1f totally disagree! Many, many longarm instructors used compressed air which is why I switched recently from just using a paint brush! There’s NOWHERE for the dust and lint to go except out of the bobbin area - I have far less issues with lint and thread breaks since using this method! But hey, you do you! I’m quite happy with how much cleaner I keep my machine!
Gracias por compartir , me han sido de mucha utilidad sus consejos de cómo mantener limpias mis máquinas. Le escribo desde la Ciudad de Guadalajara . Jalisco . México
OMG! After watching your video twice, I am pretty sure that I shouldn't get a long arm! LOL I do have an Innova sitdown longarm, which I love and I do oil it regularly, but I can't see me getting into a daily routine like you do and also after watching your video, I am convinced that it is important. I really appreciate your detailed video. Thank you for sharing that valuable information. I haven't seen your quilting tutorials yet but I am sure they will have the same detail,
It really isn’t difficult and you get an easy rhythm after doing it for 7-10 days. I found and old Gammill that wasn’t maintained well. After loosening everything with oil and doing a big clean it runs perfect and the daily maintenance really isn’t bad.
In your previous response to me below, you mentioned that you bought a used long arm. I would love to hear about that process. You give such detailed information. I wouldn't know where to begin to look for one or know what to look for.
That must have been someone else’s response. I purchased my Gammill new straight from Gammill. Your biggest decision would be if you want computer guided or if you want to quilt manually. But this could be a great topic for another video. Right now I’m in the process of moving across the country but as soon as I get set up in my new location I’ll make a video about that process.
I also love the micro fiber cloth. I will look into the novus clean and shine. I just learned how to clean my wheels. I use those brushes for painting and I find they leave a lot of bristles behind. Have you found that when using them for dusting?
I don't own a longarm, but have been thinking about getting one. This information is helpful for thinking ahead to what it would take to maintain a machine and keep it in good running order. Would you say these steps are good things to keep in mind across most brands of longarm machines?
You have a contraption on your wall holding your red snappers. Is this homemade? I am going to look into cleaner oil and the cleaning spay. Thank you much!
Very thorough. I have been seriously thinking about a long arm as my next step in this glorious world of fabric artistry we live in. Your video addresses one of my biggest concerns with all the machines I now have…keeping them maintained. You have a great routine and know the products to use and just have your set up so efficient and clean… great inspiration and methods to use on all machines.
