Evening star., 1942-08-22
Old Sewing Machine
Can Be Drafted for
Wartime Service
Tuneup at Center
Can Restore Ii to Good
Running Order

Now's the time to draft the family
sewing machine for service in the
Governments all-out war effort tt
conserve fabric by salvaging ano
reconditioning backnumber clothes
Even II the only sewing machine
In the family is dust covered
treadle in the attic which you've
been rating as disabled veteran
the chances are that 1t can qualify
Tor active war duty after an in
expensive reconditioning treatment
For a few dollars your local sew
ing center will give any sewing ma
chine thorough tune-up.
Just as an automobiles perform
ance is improved by regular check
ups, 50 any sewing machine-old or
new-will give more emcient service
If given regular treatment by an
expert sewing center mechanic. This
includes removal of gummed oil that
slows down working parts, thorough
fabrication and adjustment Of ten
sion and bearings, a complete bath
for the machine head and bearing
and polishing OF bright parts.
The sewing center tune-up also
includes replacement OF such ma
chine parts as motor brushes. presser
foot, tension spring, motor belt and
bobbin winder ring. and you can
get expert care" advice on how
to keep your machine at top ef-
ficiency for the duration.
'Don'ts" to Remember.
Here are some important don is"
to remember II you want to avoid
serious breakdowns. Don't use a
poor grade OF oil. 1t can cause
almost as much damage as no oiling
at all. It may dry the parts and
make them gummy. 1t may make
necessary a complete overhauling
of the machine. Best Is to use an
oil made expressly for sewing ma
chimes. Always wipe OF excess Oil
with a piece Of cheesecloth.
Don't sew over heavy seams with
. needle that's too fine. The weight
of the material to be stitched de-
termines the size of the needle and
thread. If you consult your IN
struction book you'll find there are
seven different needle sizes and as
many thread sizes.
Don't pull the material when sew
Ing. The needle may become bent
or strike the back Of the needle hole.
Don't bend the needle when pull
ing out the material before cutting
the thread.
Don't leave pins in the material
After basting and sew over them
unless you have a hinged presser
foot which rides over pins While
stitching.
Don't use a needle that's too long.
Last Minute Reminders.
Here are some last-minute re-
,ninders that will help to keep your
machine stitching along like a
breeze. If the machine is not feed
ing properly it may be due to in
sufacient pressure for the material
being stitched. Another thing to
watch is the stitch regulator. 1t
may be set SO the feed is in neutral
position. Check the needle to be
sure that it is not bent and finally
check the thumb screw in the feed
lowering device-it may need tight
ening
If the machine is working heavily
remember about the possibility OF
"gummed" oil, which can be cleared
up quickly at the sewing center IN
your locality. If the machine belt
is too tight it may be putting
pressure on the bearings.
Always remember to release the
bobbin winder because if it is left
down or has been accidentally
snapped down, it puts pressure
against the balance wheel. If the
treadle is noisy the screws on which
1t is pivoted need tightening.