The Saga of Machine Separation and Never Underestimate Woman with a Dremel
 

After 46 of true love with my Elna Super machine, I decided it was time for an update. Purchased a new machine at a deal at the regional quilt show. Got home and NEVER opened the box for a month and a half. You know, just a few more things to do with the old one before it is relinquished to the shelf. Plus, to be honest, didn't know the first thing about the new one and I could thread and run the old one with my eyes shut. So I finally caved, and opened the box. Some more time went by. I REALLY must get this out and learn about it. After finishing up two or three projects and starting a totally new one on the old machine, I phoned and got a class appointment. That was two weeks ago. Then I had priced new tables and found the cheapest at the sewing store was $500 and I thought I can modify that $25 forty-six year old one to make it work. Well, it didn't fit. Too optimistic. I thought a dremel and I can fix this so it will work. Phoned my son who brought the needed tool. He said it won't work. I started in. That is like waving the red cape to a bull for me to hear those words! My husband, unlike many of yours, doesn't do that sort of thing. So he stays out of the way while I am on these missions. All the time, he is encouraging me. After four days of intermittent work, punctuated with going back to the old one and working on the new project, it fit. Got the machine in the hole, plugged her in. Then I fired her up. Success came when the lights came on. Couldn't remember everything she had said in class. Got the book. Changed the feet (because it had been used in classes at the show.) Wouldn't go. Tried to change the length of stitch. Wouldn't change. Pressed Start. Broke a needle. Don't remember when I last did that. Still wouldn't go forward. Looked in the book. Wanted to cry after spending that much money and for sure the old one still worked, and get the old one back out. Ah, but the needle shaft had some play and the feed dogs were a bit wobbly. I had better figure this out. The error message said check the feed dog position and she mentioned something like that in class?. Did that and sure enough they were down. Raised them up. She said there is nothing you can do to this machine that he can't fix. I am thinking, oh yeah! When I bring this back because I couldn't find the broken needle in and it is down there in all those moving things, we'll see about that. Finally found the needle end. Retrieved it. Oh yes, there is a needle drop thingy so I moved that. I just rolled a dial and moved the needle in the old one. Who ever heard of "needle drop position"? But I think she mentioned that in class which I remembered after breaking the needle. I had nearly cried when I put the old machine in its trusty carrying case. It hadn't seen the inside of that thing in so long and I am not sure they recognized each other. Isn't it silly to be this attached to a machine? BUT, I knew if I left it out, I would be hurrying back to it and never learning the new technology. Now, I keep trying to find the foot pedal. My old one had a way of scurrying out of my reach. There isn't one. I can attach one, but trying to give up old ways. Start/Stop, needle down, end, lock, scissors. Sure enough, I kept thinking, my old one--this wouldn't have happened, etc. But finally I got it to sew and with the right foot and no more broken needles. The Dremel approach worked out pretty well. It is a tight fit, but at least it won't be moving about and now I won't be using the old one, because it would be flopping about in the new open space because I had to widen it so much. Did a beautiful job of stitching on the new project. Those 1/4 inch feet are the real deal. Now I can change the "needle drop position" and tweak it a bit to get the golden "scant" 1/4 inch seam. I had the old one's dial so marked up that probably some would think I was doing graffiti. The new project is a Gemstone quilt which has a kagillion HSTs and nearly that many FG. So matching is critical and there is a lot of it! I WILL figure this machine out if it takes the rest of my life. Nearing the end probably and it will probably take that long. Maybe I can take this one with me?? I am sure I will get as attached to this one as I was to the other one, given another 46 years! Now for a name. The ones I pondered last night weren't flattering, but am feeling better this morning and I CAN do this.

Congrats on your new machine and your perseverance! Your alot like me, tell me I can't do something and I will find a way.

I agree with you "don't tell me I can't do something"! I will find a way. Also, like you my husband could not drive a nail straight but-----he will balance any check book that I can't get and mop the floor every week and vacuum the carpet regularly. He is a keeper but just not a handyman. Congrats on your perserverance and glad you are a determined sole. Good Luck on your adventure.

You go girl!! What a great story! And if quilting doesn't satisfy all you artistic needs, you could always write a book! Thanks for the fun accompaniment to my morning tea! :thumbup:

That's a lot of drama to have to go through! A project that 'can't be done' I know I can find a way but is the outcome or stress level worth it to me ? Usually not. I'm glad you didn't cause damage to your machine.

Great story. And remember, healthy brain = happy life. All the new things you're learning are firing up your brain cells which is a good thing. Those of us who possess the same Determination cell in abundance understand and support your ways.

I bet it won't be long before you won't look back wistfully to the old machine. Change is always hard, but once you start moving forward again you will be off and running!!

I so understand this new machine thing. I bought a Pfaff 2144 10 years ago. It was so intimidating that I let it sit on the table for over a month before I actually sat down with it. I just made a simple table runner. I decided that I had spent this much money on it, I was going to learn to use it so I just started to embroidery designs on it. Then I had a bunch of things stitched out so I made a quilt out of them. It went on from there. This year, I upgraded to a Pfaff Creative Sensation Pro and I love it. I learned so much on the 2144 that the Pro was not intimidating at all. Moral of the story is that as you use the machine, you will gain confidence in the machine and your ability to figure things out. Take your time with it and enjoy the learning process.

I agree that it is very hard to force yourself to learn a new machine. Especially if the old one has given such good service for so many years. I was like that with my bernina 830 record.

It was almost traumatic to switch over to a new machine. (bernina artista 180 with an upgrade inside to 200) I think the hardest part was frying my brains reading the new manual to learn what the new computerized one could do. It took almost a full day to read it all with understanding. I am so glad that I did that, but, yikes!

It wasn't long after that when my neighbor and friend passed away and I bought a 440 bernina auroa. Which I started the same way reading the manual. It wasn't as hard as the first computerized machine, but, different type of technology was used to access the embroidery module and many more built in features and designs. But, it is the main machine now.

The other day, I went over to teach a lady how to use a bernina1600's embroidery module. I had never seen one before, but, it was so easy to glide through the manual to teach her the basics enough to use the built-in embroidery designs.

I think my point is, if you are using the same brand machine for so many years, it makes it easier to step from the old into the upgraded machines. They are a little different, but, the basics are all there and the process is familiar.

Good Luck and hope everything works out.

Glad you hung in there! Happy quilting with your new machine.

Oh yes, I understand completely after replacing my 30 year old Janome with a Bernina 710 last year! Steep learning curve...ha....like climbing a sheer glass wall with butter on my feet and hands at times! Had to make a new table for Bernice so the Janome was free to stay in the Horn cabinet. I have her loaded and set up to do some QAYG blocks...my excuse for not putting her away! Ah the angst of it all! I hear you, I hear you...sigh......

I think most of us can relate. There is a learning curve to any new electronic, and parting is such sweet sorrow for the old. I'm sure your new machine will serve you well and in a few months you will wonder why you waited so long. Good luck. I still get a bit nervous when I quilt on my Tiara II, which I have been using since January. It took me four months to get her out of the box.

Thanks for a good laugh and a story that hit home!

Would have thrown up my hands and walked away. Patience has never been my strong point.

Just bought my first Elna couple weeks ago half scared of it read the manuel thinking about taking a class too. Think we will be great friends once we figure out all the buttons

With the difficult learning curve you have experienced, I would name the new machine "Stupid B***h"! As in, "Come on, you stupid b***h, work right!" But that's me. Good luck learning how to work your newfangled thingy!

I agree you could write a book! Thoroughly enjoyed it. Keep after the machine.

What is it about quilters that when someone says we can't do something, we go ahead and prove them wrong? Congratulations on your new machine and best of luck continuing to master the new one.

I love, love, love my new machine. But it took me a week to even plug it in, I was so scared of it. And even then, I turned it on, and then turned it off again real fast before anything could happen to it.

Took me a month before I really started using it. And now I'm flying. You're quite right about that golden scant 1/4". It does all that so wonderfully well. I don't have to do a thing! I'm in love Her name is Rosie.

An update: By the time I was doing this on Saturday evening, it was nearly 5 p.m. Had a dinner at noon for several people so probably just should have waited. NOW, I am happy to report--I LOVE HER!! Oh my, I didn't realize that the other one was performing so badly. Things looked okay, with a skipped stitch here and there. This one doesn't eat metallic thread or make birds' nests on the bottom. I have made several FG and HST with my new Bloc Loc rulers and that scant 1/4 inch has worked so well--did I mention the feed dogs?? Well, they work and it has cut my frogging time to almost nothing. Halleluah! I am in love with her. Now am doing FANCY stitching on my great-nephew's Christmas stocking and it was sooo many to choose from. Why did I wait so long??? Moral of the story. Wait until fresh at the start of the day. Put the other away and get with the program. Confession, I did put the foot pedal on. I can always take it back off, but that leaves my other two appendages free. I will now recommend her and my poor teacher--she tried. Too much water under the bridge from the class to the implementation. Glad to know it isn't JUST me. But I never named the other machine and so far, nothing is coming to me. Now off to a DGD's ballgame. Trying to keep up with six is keeping me busy.

What a sad experience ... but what a funny story the way you wrote it. Glad things are working out. I seem to recall an old movie "The 7 faces of Eve" about a woman with 7 different personalities ... whatever you do, don't name her that. HaHa.

BTW, my family stands back too when I get on what they call "one of my missions". Ha

I feel your pain. My new machine is called Shasta. Shasta last until I'm gone, because I can never afford another.

When I bought my Janome 6600 I didn't use it for about 6 weeks as I wanted to get the latest projects out of the way so I would have time to learn about the new machine. I did eventually teach myself to use it, and I loved it. Now have Janome 1500 which has been a learning curve but I'm getting there and the girls at Janome have been very helpful over the phone. I love this machine too.
Now if I could just find my mojo I'll be back on track. Have fun and Happy Quilting.

That is funny! That is how I feel about this one and if she makes it 46 years more, I am sure I won't be the one operating her.

I have an idea for her name -- How about something along the lines of Unsinkable Molly Brown -- since she's accompanying you on your determined journey to learn to use her in spite of all kinds of setbacks.

Thanks for the great read. I am sure you will succeed with this new machine. Give it a good name now!

Lol! I feel your pain. My new computerized machine sat in its box for three months too. That was five years ago, and I am still learning what all it can do. I could not take the free classes that came with it, due to DH's work schedule, and I do not drive, so I called the store where I bought it, and the wonderful owner spent twenty minutes on the phone with me learning enough to wing it a bit. Truth be told, I still call her occasionally for help and she is always so pleasant about it even though she no longer represents Brother sewing machines. I am a slow learner so I will probably not learn to use all of the features, but since I am losing my eye sight, I love the automatic needle threader and thread cutter! Brilliant inventions! (I have practiced and can now thread it with my eyes closed just in case I need that skill someday.)

It is very hard to switch after so many years of knowing your machine! But, I will bet, as you continue to use and learn your new machine you will begin to love and appreciate it too!

Thanks for your great story! I once traded in my old machine for a new one. Later that day I went back and the sewing machine store guy said, "I knew you'd be back." I gave him the trade in $$$ and got her back. My dad still has the old machine so I visit her every once in a while.

Is your new machine an Elna, too? Is it the one with the automatic walking foot?