I have an update on the Bernina 530-2 I posted about earlier...it's working!! Wahoo. It had a seriously locked up screw in the Cam/lever area. The sewing machine guy I went to see got it movingand adjusted in a relatively quick amount of time. As many have said on this forum...the older Bernina's have an awesome stitch. Every stitch on this 54 year old machine is just perfect.

Joe, you mention a Wizard. Well, I had one in my car that I got back from my other machine service guy who told me it was unfixable. I admit it isn't so smart to pay much to have service guys tell you it can't be fixed but anyway I decided to have this other service man look at the Wizard. He did and he told me what was needed. I left it with him and he called a day later with an update..it now works and the zig zag is functioning BUT..he says I'll need to have some music on my iPod to drown out a clunk noise that he says he doesn't think he can fix. I haven't heard the clunk yet but I believe him if he says it's loud. I think I'll sew on my Bernina 530 that purrs like a kitten and wait a while before I rescue more vintage problems. I hope you are having a sunny day and sewing something fun.

IQuiltnFL,

The Wizard I have was rusted tight on the needle bar end. I got it free by heating certain parts with a torch as I pumped oil into it.

It is now very easy to turn. It needs the bobbin case retainer replace as that was broken when I got it. But it will work as is. All I need to do is double check the timing, clean it a bit more, and reassemble the small bits I took off to clean.
It should sew. But I have no idea of how good, or how quiet.

If your Wizard has a clunk somewhere I'm thinking something is hitting something. Just a guess. Or something hasn't got oil to it yet.

I know about hard to find noises, my last 413 still clatters and rattles and I have not been able to find the cause. I told my wife we should make a quilt and ZZ all the seams with that machine, pushing it till it divulges it's secret or breaks.

Joe

Out of curiosity, what makes the SU a challenge? I had one here, worked beautifully so nothing to troubleshoot, really nice stitches too.

"Up here" there's no Vitamin D to be had from the sun at this time of year, all the walks in the world don't help. Vitamin D comes in pill form only for us. Ugh. It's a good time to hibernate, but if you can stand your spouse this far north in the winter, you can make it through anything. :D

Perhaps a new project, Joe? Something that's not bags or fixing machines or quilts... I find that always gets me fired up. I think it's why I have so many "projects" on the go always. I know what you mean, I have a problem child on my desk at the moment that I was really looking forward to sewing with, and I just can't find it in me to finish the repair (new hook, but the new one is problematic) but I've found the time to organise fabric, write a software program to handle my stash(es), and chop holes in a desk to make several sewing machines sit flush with the top. I'm sure you (and I) just need a break.

Anna, what a cute little Maltese! I had one of those once . . . . I love the little dogs, although, we do have two large rescued 'ranch' dogs too!

Joe, you are just going through a lot right now - with moving and all! Take it a day at a time . . . . . do what you can . . . . . , and when you get moved get a pet! It has been proven that a pet can extend and emotionally improve the lives/health of their owners!

When I am down or discouraged I bury my nose in a horse or a dog!

Nancy

Nancy,

We do have pets. We have 5 kitties that keep us company. I have my arms around Pollyanna as I type this.
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As for moving we are stymied now. Most of our stuff is boxed and we don't have any room to move around, and the financial thing is taking forever to work through. I'm at that the point that we need to resort much of the boxed stuff and dispose of it. Or rent a storage locker (no money for that though.)

Joe

is your PollyAnna a polydactyl? looks like an extra toe there!! Gorgeous face on her!

Lara,

Yes she is. 7 toes on each front, 5 toes on each rear. 24 total. She is so incredibly fast and agile we're thinking she may have a sew of invisible wings too.
Very loving and possessive of my wife, likes to sit on her shoulder as she walks around the house.

Joe

In addition to a lifelong love of all things quilting, I have been collecting fabric for 32 years lol I also volunteer for a boxer rescue. i love my Olivia, a stray we adopted two years ago She gets me outside every day-- sun wind rain snow she doesn't care she lives to walk. A little exercise and fresh air might help.

Sideways,

You are sooooooo very right. But I don't have a doggie to walk and my wife Elaine objects to the leash. :D

Seriously as soon as the weather changes for the better I will once again get out to walk. I just can't deal with the cold this winter.

Joe

Hi Bojangles,
Thank you for your kind words. Actually she is a Havanese. A little Spanish dog and the national dog from Cuba. Nina is small for her breed and indeed because of her coloring, Havanese can be any color or combination, and size looks a bit Maltese. That is one of the main reasons I was drawn to her. She is a lot of fun and so soft. I love the horse in your avatar. This is our first little dog. I loved our large dogs but I wanted a small indoor lap dog and this one fit because she is hypoallergenic or better her hair is. They also have a little more of a larger dog personality and are a little less nippy then some breeds.