My Sewing Machine’s been giving me some problems, but I’ve been pretending that it hasn’t. It started skipping stitches last week. I thought it was me so I took a breath and slowed down, but it kept happening. I cleaned it as best I could and still, it kept happening. But I didn’t want anything to be wrong with my machine. We have the Bedlam Farm Open House in two weeks and I have potholders to make for it. And I have more Pink Sneaker potholder orders to fill. So, you see, there can’t be anything wrong with my machine.
But today, when I kept screwing up the potholders I was working on, I finally decided I needed to bring my sewing machine to the shop and have it cleaned. It was behaving the same way it did the last time it needed to be cleaned. So I made an appointment at Heirloom Sewing in Glens Falls to drop it off Thursday and pick it up Friday. Jackie fit me in as soon as possible, but when I got off the phone I realized that meant I’d be three days without my machine. I felt the panic start to creep under my skin. So I unplugged my machine, thinking I’d try cleaning it myself one more time and when I turned the machine around to unscrew the plastic piece that covers the area just above the needle, I noticed it was loose. I tried to tighten the screw, but the piece wouldn’t fit back into place. So I took it off. Could this be the problem? I tried it. It worked. No skipped stitches. I kept sewing that way, all day and it continued to work fine. I don’t know why, I don’t really care. I just know, that without that plastic piece covering it’s guts, my sewing machine works.
So I cancelled my appointment at Heirloom Sewing and kept working. When I get all my potholders done, I’ll give my machine over to Jackie and let her give it the works. A day at the sewing machine spa, getting it’s gears dusted and oiled and parts fit back together properly. Everyone, even my sewing machine, need a little pampering once in a while.
It will be interesting to find out why it works only with the cover removed…happy for you that you are back in the groove. It is awful to have something in the way of one’s creativity and that reminds me I better get off the computer and back on my machine!
Do you have the contact information for Jackie? The sewing machine repair in Bennington is no longer there and mine needs servicing (it has for some time!)
Sure Candy, It’s Heirloom Sewing 518 761 6619.
I understand that feeling, Maria. When I was sewing my daughter’s wedding dress, the embroidery unit started acting up and I went to bed in a panic one night, sure that I would not be able to finish the dress in time, or make it look the same (I was embroidering celtic knots on the dress) after it came back from the shop. I tossed and turned all night, finally falling asleep before dawn. When I woke later that morning, I woke up feeling like I knew what the problem was – and I was right. After an hour of fiddling with it, I fixed it myself! It is liberating and a relief, and a bit empowering, isn’t it? Glad you got it fixed. And I agree. The machines deserve the spa every now and again.
Sometimes, we really do need to sleep on it Kim. I’m glad you’re story has a happy ending. So much work, I bet the dress was beautiful!
PS
Which Brother machine do you have?
It’s an innovis NX450 Kim.
I just love your level of clever, and common-sense…
Thanks Maria. And yes, the dress was beautiful, if I do say so myself. 🙂