I used to enjoy watching my mother sew when I was younger, and I think being able to operate a sewing machine is an awesome skill to have. With a sewing machine, you’ll have the ability to take on a lot of different (and potentially amazing) projects.
The biggest downside to using a sewing machine, though, is the amount of noise one of these can make. However, In this article, I’ll explain the best ways to significantly reduce the noises and vibrations that are commonly emitted by sewing machines.
How to Make a Sewing Machine Quieter
1. Make Sure the Machine is Well-Balanced
One of the most common causes of a noisy, shaking sewing machine is that the machine is unbalanced. Even a tiny bump can cause the machine to function in a way that creates a loud noise. Therefore, the first thing you need to do is make sure your machine is well-balanced on a flat surface.
Another thing you can do is check and see if the levelers are functioning correctly under the machine. If not, this can also be a noise-producing issue.
2. Invest in Some Anti-Vibration Pads
If nothing is placed underneath your sewing machine, this can cause it to shake and make a disturbing noise, too. What I recommend is that you invest in some anti-vibration pads, as these will absorb about 40 percent of the noise and vibration your sewing machine produces.
There are lots of different pads to choose from, but I prefer these Cottage Mills mats. These are already sized and should fit underneath almost any sewing machine.
3. Locate the Noise’s Source
Locating the source of your sewing machine’s noise is extremely important. I suggest that you inspect your machine closely, as this will help you get an idea of what you’re dealing with.
Often, the problem is very simple to fix, and it won’t cost you much to do so. For example, if you hear unusual noise coming from the gears, they may need oiling, or you might notice that the needle needs to be replaced.
If you don’t see any causes for concern, despite the unbearable noise, then you may want to consider giving the repair shop a visit.
4. Use a Thick Table
The type of table you place your sewing machine on will play an important role in the amount of noise it’ll make while you operate it. Imagine using a sewing machine on top of a very thin table—there would be so much echo throughout the house!
For that reason, I suggest that you place your sewing machine on a thick sewing table, as this will cause the noise it makes to drastically decrease. If you don’t have a thick table to use, you may want to check out the Southern Enterprises sewing machine table, which even includes a storage area for a machine.
If you want the best results possible, then combining this method with the use of a soundproof mat would be extremely effective.
5. Reduce Your Sewing Speed
It’s easy to get carried away with the speed control sliders and the foot pedal while you’re using a sewing machine. The foot pedal is basically what determines the speed of the machine, and it’s very similar to the gas pedal in a car. The harder you press down, the faster the sewing machine will go.
So, while operating your machine, try your best not to put too much pressure on the foot pedal, as a machine working at full speed will make a lot of noise. If relaxing the pressure on your pedal solves your noise problem, then you’ll know exactly what to do from now on.
6. Perform Regular Maintenance
A lot of people will use their sewing machine for a long period of time without even cleaning it, but performing proper maintenance will help your machine run smoothly and give it a long life. Aside from that, this will also help reduce most of the internal noises it might make.
You can follow these steps to extend the life of your sewing machine:
- Dismantle the machine as much as you can
- Properly clean all the parts
- You should oil and lubricate all the moving parts
- Inspect the machine carefully for any damage or misalignment
- Replace any parts that seem to be worn out
- Put the machine back together slowly
7. Change the Needle (If Needed)
You should carefully inspect your sewing machine’s needle to see if it needs to be cleaned or changed. If you don’t know how to properly change your machine’s needle, check this helpful guide out.
8. Purchase a Quieter Sewing Machine
If you’ve tried all the methods above, and you still aren’t satisfied with the results, then the best idea would be to purchase a newer-model machine. Purchasing a sewing machine like this one will enable you to eliminate lots of unwanted noise, and this machine also offers a variable speed slider instead of a foot pedal.
With a speed slider, you can easily move the slider to the left or right to pick the speed of your machine. This will ensure that the machine is constantly running at a continual speed, without variation.
Conclusion
Sewing machines can sometimes be very loud, which can be annoying for users. Although there are many things you can do to significantly reduce the noise that’s coming from your sewing machine, it’s always a good idea to make sure you have a modern machine. If you don’t have the money to get a new one, though, you can simply apply all the methods presented above, and you should be just fine.
If you’re interested in finding out more about soundproofing techniques, you may want to check out my other articles on this site, including How to Reduce Refrigerator Noise. If you have any questions, feel free to let us know by leaving a comment down below.
image: Pixabay