Sunday, November 10, 2013

Spa Treatment for Bella

A few weeks ago, it was time to do some maintenance on Bella (my 12' frame and 26' sew head with Autopilot).  I call this giving her the "Spa Treatment".  I love the Innova because it is so easy to do this "spa treatment" and it makes her so happy! 

First you get some rubbing alcohol and some cotton swabs...


Then you dip the cotton swab into the alcohol and wipe all the white wheels on the carriage...


Then, put some alcohol on a paper towel and wipe off the tracks on the carriage and the frame...

 
Then, wet a cotton swap with alcohol and wipe off the encoders...
 
 
You might notice that there is thread in your wheels (I had some after almost 3 years of use)...

 
You can easily take the wheels off by putting some books under your carriage, loosen the bolt (paying attention to the order that the bolt, washer etc. go together when you take it out) take out the bold and take off the wheel, to get the thread out.  Then, put the bolt assembly back together and tighten it back up.
 
 

If you have an autopilot, you might want to check where the belts go around the pulleys at the end and under the sew head...(be very careful not to pinch your fingers).  If you grab the thread and move the sew head it will come right out.

Bella is so very happy now!  However, the coolest thing is - even with all this thread in the wheel, and lint on the wheels, she still stitched beautiful!!! 

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the photos and the great info! That is very helpful!

Confessions of a Coupon Queen said...

It's very important to take care of your tools! :)

Jessica said...

I love that you name your equipment and take such good care of it.

debdenny said...

I probably need to do that. You did a great job!

Unknown said...

Awesome job... I need to pass this on to my MIL... thanks

Laurie Floyd - Steals and Deals for Kids said...

Going to send this info to my friend and also tell her about your blog!! She will love it!!

Ave said...

I'm sure Bella loved her spa treatment! It's important to clean your tools regularly.

Jaredamy said...

I cant even sew a patch on jeans. I wish I knew how to sew, let alone maintain a machine!

Melanie said...

Spa Treatment..LOVE it.. I say the same thing when I drop the dogs off at the groomer.. they get a Spa day...lol.. But all kidding aside, it is important to keep things clean and going, great tip and loved the pictures.

Mama to 5 said...

great job - love the name - spa treatment!

Have Kids Will Coupon said...

Very cute and love her name too!

Shannah @ Just Us Four said...

This is definitely good info for those with this type of equipment. Regular maintenance is what will keep Bella working for years.

Mariana said...

Love how you named her. Shows just how much you care :)

Dawn Lopez said...

What a clever way to clean errr.. give spa treatments to Bella ;) Thanks for sharing!

Liz Mays said...

You sure know how to treat your Bella right. She'll live long and prosper for that!

BrettBMartin said...

bella's a lucky lady to have you for her caregiver!

James, Davis, and Associates Test said...

It is important to take care of and properly maintain our equipment.

Unknown said...

I have no idea what this is but it's important to take care of your purchases.

Anonymous said...

Oh I had no idea that these even needed cleaning or anything, thanks for sharing!

Jordyn @ Almost Supermom said...

Love that you take such good care of your girl ;) they work so hard they need to be pampered too sometimes lol!

Kristyn said...

i had no idea they needed to be cleaned like that! thanks for sharing how you cleaned it.

Put A Ring On It Dallas! said...

This is awesome I will try this out... we shoo need to love the stuff that we use on a refusal basis