Sewing Machine Withdrawal?
03-29-2010, 03:04 PM
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Somewhere in Time
Posts: 2,697
Backups are essential and never,ever,ever pass up an opportunity to go to a thrift store. I am waiting on a Singer 252 I bought on ebay last week for 31.01. The Seller sent me an e-mail that she was sick and there would be a delay shipping it. I joined three vintage machine groups on Yahoo so I can learn to service my own machines.
03-29-2010, 03:21 PM
#24
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Omaha, NE
Posts: 1,618
They called today....estimate including cleaning, oiling whatever 70.00.
Evidently it's possible to put the needle in off center. My needle has only ever fit in one way, so he'll have to show me how I did it wrong so I know the right way. I've done it the same way every time.
I don't take the feed dog plate or whatever that plate is off and it was really dirty under there. Something was cockeyed in there a little and it affected the whole "hook assembly"? I know I've had this machine a long time, but he was speaking Greek to me.
He says everyone who really uses their machine needs to know how to clean it and oil it themselves. SO...he said when I come in to get it, he wants to show me the right screws to take off and exactly what he wants me to do to clean it. He sounds like a really nice guy and he knew exactly why I was so unsatisfied with the place I got it at.
It still seems like a lot of money, but I want it to last longer. He did say that it's not really a heavy duty machine. I should not attempt to machine quilt a queen size on it .... interesting. I can do lap sizes okay and all my charity quilts are pillowcased on it, but those are all lap sizes too. I think if I really want to start getting some serious machine quilting done I may need to upgrade.
As soon as I find the spare my MIL gave me a LONG time ago, and get it serviced, I will have 2 machines. I know that one is heavy duty because it's made of metal and about 40-50 pounds. I have to get myself reaquainted.
I'll be back to stitching this weekend...so perhaps you can expect my absence. I'm so glad there are other people like me out there. I've been going bonkers!
Evidently it's possible to put the needle in off center. My needle has only ever fit in one way, so he'll have to show me how I did it wrong so I know the right way. I've done it the same way every time.
I don't take the feed dog plate or whatever that plate is off and it was really dirty under there. Something was cockeyed in there a little and it affected the whole "hook assembly"? I know I've had this machine a long time, but he was speaking Greek to me.
He says everyone who really uses their machine needs to know how to clean it and oil it themselves. SO...he said when I come in to get it, he wants to show me the right screws to take off and exactly what he wants me to do to clean it. He sounds like a really nice guy and he knew exactly why I was so unsatisfied with the place I got it at.
It still seems like a lot of money, but I want it to last longer. He did say that it's not really a heavy duty machine. I should not attempt to machine quilt a queen size on it .... interesting. I can do lap sizes okay and all my charity quilts are pillowcased on it, but those are all lap sizes too. I think if I really want to start getting some serious machine quilting done I may need to upgrade.
As soon as I find the spare my MIL gave me a LONG time ago, and get it serviced, I will have 2 machines. I know that one is heavy duty because it's made of metal and about 40-50 pounds. I have to get myself reaquainted.
I'll be back to stitching this weekend...so perhaps you can expect my absence. I'm so glad there are other people like me out there. I've been going bonkers!
03-30-2010, 05:36 AM
#25
Super Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Barnesville GA
Posts: 3,181
I have a back up machine. Old Household from the 60's ? maybe.
I was without a machine for awhile. Never again. It keeps me sane. Hmm I also have about 8 machines out in the shed. lol I wish I had room to set them all out.
I was without a machine for awhile. Never again. It keeps me sane. Hmm I also have about 8 machines out in the shed. lol I wish I had room to set them all out.
03-30-2010, 07:22 AM
#26
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Home town: Rehoboth, MA Now living in OK
Posts: 7,774
Originally Posted by mpeters1200
They called today....estimate including cleaning, oiling whatever 70.00.
Evidently it's possible to put the needle in off center. My needle has only ever fit in one way, so he'll have to show me how I did it wrong so I know the right way. I've done it the same way every time.
I don't take the feed dog plate or whatever that plate is off and it was really dirty under there. Something was cockeyed in there a little and it affected the whole "hook assembly"? I know I've had this machine a long time, but he was speaking Greek to me.
He says everyone who really uses their machine needs to know how to clean it and oil it themselves. SO...he said when I come in to get it, he wants to show me the right screws to take off and exactly what he wants me to do to clean it. He sounds like a really nice guy and he knew exactly why I was so unsatisfied with the place I got it at.
It still seems like a lot of money, but I want it to last longer. He did say that it's not really a heavy duty machine. I should not attempt to machine quilt a queen size on it .... interesting. I can do lap sizes okay and all my charity quilts are pillowcased on it, but those are all lap sizes too. I think if I really want to start getting some serious machine quilting done I may need to upgrade.
As soon as I find the spare my MIL gave me a LONG time ago, and get it serviced, I will have 2 machines. I know that one is heavy duty because it's made of metal and about 40-50 pounds. I have to get myself reaquainted.
I'll be back to stitching this weekend...so perhaps you can expect my absence. I'm so glad there are other people like me out there. I've been going bonkers!
Evidently it's possible to put the needle in off center. My needle has only ever fit in one way, so he'll have to show me how I did it wrong so I know the right way. I've done it the same way every time.
I don't take the feed dog plate or whatever that plate is off and it was really dirty under there. Something was cockeyed in there a little and it affected the whole "hook assembly"? I know I've had this machine a long time, but he was speaking Greek to me.
He says everyone who really uses their machine needs to know how to clean it and oil it themselves. SO...he said when I come in to get it, he wants to show me the right screws to take off and exactly what he wants me to do to clean it. He sounds like a really nice guy and he knew exactly why I was so unsatisfied with the place I got it at.
It still seems like a lot of money, but I want it to last longer. He did say that it's not really a heavy duty machine. I should not attempt to machine quilt a queen size on it .... interesting. I can do lap sizes okay and all my charity quilts are pillowcased on it, but those are all lap sizes too. I think if I really want to start getting some serious machine quilting done I may need to upgrade.
As soon as I find the spare my MIL gave me a LONG time ago, and get it serviced, I will have 2 machines. I know that one is heavy duty because it's made of metal and about 40-50 pounds. I have to get myself reaquainted.
I'll be back to stitching this weekend...so perhaps you can expect my absence. I'm so glad there are other people like me out there. I've been going bonkers!
03-30-2010, 07:37 AM
#27
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: washington
Posts: 1,150
I know just what you are going through with the sewing-withdrawls. I had the same experience 30 years ago when my machine went into the shop for timing. I had to borrow my mother's machine as I was ready to go off the deep end. Since then I have a back up machine should this happen again. Happen it did as of 2 months ago, my fairly new Pfaff when out of time or something, it's in the shop and I'm using my old Bernina. I also have a real old Pfaff I got a a yard sale a few years ago, it's my back up for the back up. I never want to experiece sewing-withdrawls again. Now don't let all this get you down. Find a back-up machine. Remember we are all here for you and totally understand what you are going through.
03-30-2010, 09:12 AM
#28
Super Member
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Merced, CA
Posts: 4,188
Get out the old machine!! Some of these old work horses
seem to go forever. And should it not be in good working order,
ASK if anyone could help you. You have no idea of how many
of these old beauties are still around and still doing a good job.
In fact, you might want to keep "Old Betsy" around for such a
time, plus, should you have younger ones to teach, this would
be a perfect starter machine.
seem to go forever. And should it not be in good working order,
ASK if anyone could help you. You have no idea of how many
of these old beauties are still around and still doing a good job.
In fact, you might want to keep "Old Betsy" around for such a
time, plus, should you have younger ones to teach, this would
be a perfect starter machine.
03-30-2010, 02:30 PM
#29
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 5,142
Okay, here's my suggestions.
1. NEVER, EVER try to live without a back-up machine.
2. Learn to clean and oil your machine, once a year isn't nearly enough. It's not rocket science, if I can do it so can you. Just take that plate off and put a drop of oil on everything that moves. Take an inch square of polar fleece and a some tweezers and swipe out all the lint. Put it back together and VOILA!!!! You've done it.
If I'm sewing everyday my machine gets cleaned and oiled at least once a week usually twice. Depending on the fabric I sometimes clean it every day or twice a day if I'm working with flannel.
You can do this, just take a deep breath, smile, tell yourself that you can do it, breathe again and have at it. If nothing else, ask a sewing friend to show you how.
No one should ever have to live without a sewing machine, that's referred to as CRUEL AND INHUMANE punishment.
1. NEVER, EVER try to live without a back-up machine.
2. Learn to clean and oil your machine, once a year isn't nearly enough. It's not rocket science, if I can do it so can you. Just take that plate off and put a drop of oil on everything that moves. Take an inch square of polar fleece and a some tweezers and swipe out all the lint. Put it back together and VOILA!!!! You've done it.
If I'm sewing everyday my machine gets cleaned and oiled at least once a week usually twice. Depending on the fabric I sometimes clean it every day or twice a day if I'm working with flannel.
You can do this, just take a deep breath, smile, tell yourself that you can do it, breathe again and have at it. If nothing else, ask a sewing friend to show you how.
No one should ever have to live without a sewing machine, that's referred to as CRUEL AND INHUMANE punishment.
03-30-2010, 02:35 PM
#30
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Illinois
Posts: 5,142
Originally Posted by thismomquilts
I don't even like going away because I can't take my machine! :cry: I'd rather stay home than go camping, on vacation - if I can't take the machine... now, granted, I DO go - don't want others to think I have issues - even though I do :)
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