The sewing machine

**berserkbishop** · 18th March 08, 10:29 PM

Ok, so I am more frustrated now. I got the *&(^^ thing working for about 2 minutes last night and now I cant get it to do anything. I have fiddled, I have faddled, now I am just frustrated. It cant be that difficult. . . . . I dont know if it needs repairs or what. Now it wont draw the bobbin string up. When I could get it to sew, the stitches on the bottom were INCREADIBLY loose. Argh. . . I dont understand these contraptions.

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**Alan H** · 20th March 08, 10:10 AM

I learned something a long time ago about sewing with a machine.

When it's working, the work goes fast. Oh, you can sew MILES of seams in no time at all with a working machine.

But the minute something goes wrong....you bust a needle or the tension gets off, you will sit there for an hour and get nothing done at all....

I think it's universal.

**Mark Keeney** · 22nd March 08, 02:29 PM

Take it to any of the colleges in Springfield and get help. Possibly you might get some private lessons on your machine.

I had problems with my bobbin it would make a birds nest and break needles and all it needed was cleaning and the timing belt adjusted. The repairman told me to use good thread not the cheap bargain thread (too much stretch) and a new needle for every new project. I do and I have never had any problems again.

**berserkbishop** · 1st April 08, 11:25 PM

I stepped foot for the first time in a fabric store today :gulp:. It wasnt that bad but I felt a little out of place. I picked up some felt-ish fabric for making a hat out of as a first project, some decent multipurpose thread, and some new bobbins for Janome/New Home machines. I went home and tried everything out. The machine is sewing pretty consistently and making tight stitches now. FINALLY!

Thanks to everyone for the advice and special thanks to Steve Ashton for hooking me up with the link for that manual. It was a godsend.

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**emyclaire** · 2nd April 08, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by berserkbishop

I stepped foot for the first time in a fabric store today :gulp:. It wasnt that bad but I felt a little out of place. I picked up some felt-ish fabric for making a hat out of as a first project, some decent multipurpose thread, and some new bobbins for Janome/New Home machines. I went home and tried everything out. The machine is sewing pretty consistently and making tight stitches now. FINALLY!

Thanks to everyone for the advice and special thanks to Steve Ashton for hooking me up with the link for that manual. It was a godsend.

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Sounds like Grandma isn't going to have much work to to to teach you how to use your sewing machine. I am so glad you have gotten it working. We will have fun in May. Have all your questions about sewing ready, grandson.

**cacunn** · 2nd April 08, 04:43 AM

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Remember the people at the fabric shop are your friends. Most have many years of sewing experience and want to help. The better you sew the more they can sell. Walk in kilted find the prettiest young thang and ask her the questions. Who knows there could be private sewing classes in the future, ah the power of the kilt.

**Alan H** · 2nd April 08, 10:09 AM

I'm used to going into fabric stores, now, but I have to say that I DID feel a bit odd purchasing the screaming pink material for Panache's joke kilt.

**berserkbishop** · 2nd April 08, 10:59 AM

Originally Posted by Alan H

I'm used to going into fabric stores, now, but I have to say that I DID feel a bit odd purchasing the screaming pink material for Panache's joke kilt.

LOL I imagine.

As for finding a pretty gal. . . . well they all were in dour moods yesterday despite my best attempts at charm. This was sans kilt though, maybe that is what was missing.

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