Expert: Sharon Vogel - 10/21/2009

Question
Hi.  I have a Singer 774 machine that was my grandmothers that I got recently.  It hasn't been used in 15+ years.  It's been stored in the table for that long.  I would like to use it for some basic sewing projects but was wondering if there is anything I should do to the machine before I use it?

Answer
Dear Christy,
Since it has been in the cabinet for over 15 years, I would just clean and oil.  If you have the manual, there will probably be a diagram showing where to put drops of oil.  Use a sewing machine brush and forceps to clean out the bobbin case and underneath the feed dog plate.  Get a new package of needles and change out the needle.  Sometimes bobbins can rust so check those too and possibly buy a new supply.  After you have oiled the machine, run it without threading for awhile to let the oil get into the gears, etc.  Then thread the machine and sew on some scrap fabric to check the tension and the work out any oil that may surface.

Good luck with your "new" machine.

Sharon