17/11/2018
Sewing Machines â Advantages, Disadvantages, Problems & Maintenance of Mechanical & Computerised.
Mechanical sewing machine operates on electricity but contains mechanical gears and parts. All of the levers, switches, k***s, and dials require manual control from the user. For adding accessories and parts must be purchased and installed manually. The quality of sewing machine stitches is different also.
Pros Of Mechanical Sewing Machine
Price: Most mechanical sewing machines start at a lower price range than computerised ones.
Easy to Maintain: Mechanical machines donât have all of the intricate electronic mother boards and electric parts that computerised machines do. Many owners of mechanical machines say it provides for easier maintenance and fewer problems.
Work Horse: Depending on the type of mechanical machine you buy, you can get a seriously heavy-duty machine. There are many vintage (and modern) mechanical machines that will sew through just about anything you throw at them.
Cons Of Mechanical Sewing Machine
A Limited Number Of Stitches: If you are impressed by the hundreds of stitches that a computerised machine offers, then youâll notice that most mechanical machines have a fraction of that.
Fewer Buttonhole Options: If you like making clothes, then you are limited in choice when it comes to button holes.
Can Be More Complicated: What I mean by this is some beginning sewers prefer to have the machine do everything automatically with a touch of a button. With a mechanical machine, there may be various settings that you have to tinker with yourself. For inexperienced sewers, this may be more than they want to deal with.
Electronic Sewing Machines
Electronic sewing machines have more functions than a mechanical sewing machine.
Some features of an electric machine include the ability to automatically cut the thread and to automatically adjust the tension and stitch length to fit the needs of a particular project. This saves the home tailor time and frustration.
Electronic machines will also automatically sew buttonholes when the desired size and shape is inputted into the machine.
These types of machines are more efficient than mechanical types because they are run via electrical impulses to control the speed and accuracy of the stitching.
Mechanical machines, on the other hand, rely on mechanical parts only, making them essentially no more than a manual machine run on electricity.
Electronic machines are ideal for the amateur home tailor who has more than the rudimentary knowledge of the art of sewing. If planning to use the machine on a semi-regular basis or for more elaborate projects than basic hemming, an electronic machine is an ideal choice.
Computerised Sewing Machines
Computerised sewing machine contains microprocessors which are digital technology to control the different program.
The Stitches are stored on the memory. The computer receives the userâs settings for simple setup and operation. The processes are automatically controlled by the machine after the user inputs the desired instruction.
The user can download the program from the internet and can installed for better work. The latest sewing machine is called portable sewing machine. The latest sewing machine is treated as best sewing machine on the market.
Pros Of Computerised Machines
Automatic Features: Many automatic features such as automatic needle threader, automatic needle up and down, automatic thread cutter, auto tension, etc. These features are convenient and save time. Another automatic feature that you can find on many machines is a âlocking stitchâ which finishes your stitching underneath for a neater finish.
Dozens Of Stitch Options: Some machines have hundreds of stitch options including letters and symbols. This really opens up the possibilities for what you can do with your sewing projects.
Dozens Of Automatic Buttonholes: Creating a buttonhole could not be any quicker or easier than it is with a computerised machine. You simply put on the buttonhole foot and press the button or press the foot pedal and let it do its work â voila you have a perfect buttonhole every time.
More control: A computerised machine has better speed control, and many machines have the option where you donât even have to use the foot pedal.
Cons Of Computerised Machines
Can Be Overcomplicated: For beginning sewers, a computerised machine can have so many features that it can be quite overwhelming and often times, you can pay for features that you simply will never use.
They Donât Last As Long: Owning a computerised embroidery machine is an asset when creating beautiful embellishments or monograms for a sewing project. The user can download programs to a memory card to plug into the memory of a computerised machine, or the home tailor can use cartridges already embedded with certain patterns.
Computerised machines, therefore, are essential when creating elaborate embroidery patterns or in the setting of a small home business that sells handmade goods. A computerised machine may be ideal for the beginner as well if they plan to use their machine often.
Sewing Machine Problems
Following problems can be associated with a sewing machine.
1. Sewing Needles
The sewing machine needle is probably the most important part of the sewing machine. Choosing the proper needle for your sewing machine will result in a beautiful finish and fewer problems.
Sewing with a bent needle is extremely dangerous since the needle may break while the machine is being operated.
Remember that although the needle is one of the least expensive parts of your project, strangely enough, it is highly likely to be one of the two most common wreckers of it.
Before using the needle, place the flat side of the needle on a flat surface and check that the distance between the needle and the flat surface is even.
2. Thread Bunching Or âBirds Nesting âOf Thread Under The Fabric
Bunching of thread under the fabric is birds nesting. To rectify it Re-thread the thread. Check the position of your bobbin case and reset as per instruction manual. Check the tension settings.
3. Old Thread
Old thread may cause breakages. To rectify it Re-thread the thread. Use a good quality thread.
Itâs common for inexpensive low-quality threads or threads designed for hand sewing to be the cause of what appears to be tension problems when there is nothing wrong with the machine.
For best results use a good quality branded thread. If the thread is suitable for use on a sewing machine. Using thread that does not pull through smoothly can cause thread breakages, poor stitching or damage to the machine.
4. Optimum Tension
It is necessary to maintain optimum tension between the top thread and the bobbin thread. If the tension in the top thread is high i.e it is tight then to rectify it top thread is loosened. Also, if the tension in the top thread is low (too loose), then the top thread tension is increased.
Maintenance Of Sewing Machines
The experts of the sewing machine say that the majority of the problems that occur in the sewing machines are usually because of their poor or no maintenance done at all.
This rightly explains the importance of maintenance of sewing machine.
Quite a few problems are caused by an accumulation of dust, lint or thread bits on the working parts of the machine. Making sure that your machine is lint and dust free is the most important factor to keeping it running smoothly.
Experts recommend to clean the machine on completion of every project or at least after 10-12 hours of use.
Compressed air may also be used to blow loose particles out and away from the machine. Lint brush is used to remove accumulated lint in various parts of the machine.
Also, care should be taken that the machine is not in contact with moisture or else it may rust.
Oiling the machine or lubricating the internal parts of the machine is one of the most important and crucial steps to make sure you have got your machine cleaned up thoroughly. It is because when we use a lubricating agent, it will reach out all the places and minor parts easily and will help you remove any dirt that is there.
Oiling reduces the chances of friction, that in turn can help you avoid frequent damages to the internal parts of the machine, will give smooth thread movement and easy running of the machine and would not cause the machine to become heavy or difficult while functioning.
The needles of the sewing machine must be changed regularly. One must maintain optimum tension or it may cause problems like puckering.
