sewing question

[alceria.livejournal.com]

Okay, I stole a sewing machine from my mom a couple years ago. I can't remember the brand right now, it's tucked away in a closet, but I know it was a pretty decent machine at the time. She only used it maybe a handful of times and since then it was sitting in the basement. It must be at least 10 years old, if not older. I have no reason to think that it wouldn't work if I fired it up again.

However, I know *nothing* about sewing machines and I believe I read here or somewhere else once that it's bad to just start using a machine that hasn't been used in awhile. Apparently you are supposed to oil it up first before re-using it. Can anyone confirm this and explain in detail how I should go about conditioning this machine before I use it? I'd hate to try to use it and end up stripping the gears and busting it.

Also, if anyone can suggest a website or a book that would give me a very basic idea of how to work the thing, that would be appreciated. I'm not looking to do anything complex and I don't want to read a 500 page manual...I just want to be able to sew linings for bags I knit...not rocket science. I have no patience for sewing by hand.