Am I getting bored or burned out?
 

Been a bit under the weather lately and have wanted to start a new quilt. Got the two for my aunts finished and soon they'll be on their way.

But I want to use a different machine. I just can't seen to get interested in using any I have here. I've got Singer, Kenmore, and other straight stitchers, Japanese, Singers, and other ZZs too. Even got a variety that use cams.

Non of them appeal to me right now.

I'd like something different. Not modern plastic junk, not ones that use odd ball obsolete needles or bobbins, not pre-1900, but something .... well something different.

I'd like to have a machine that could do SS, ZZ and decorative stitches, with NO plastic of any sort inside. But not the ones I have.

This is bad. I probably have what I want but just don't want it. :(


Any ideas?

Joe

Okay, wait a minute while I pour you a glass of "I don't wanna"; there now, feel better? Now then, go and love on at least three of your machines and tell them you're truly sorry for feeling like you do right now, that they're beautiful and you do not know WHAT got into you but you WILL do better after you've rested and drank your glass of IDW.

Okay...did that help? I thought so, works every time! NOW GET BUSY!!!!!!!!!! (If you still have a problem and can see yourself in SC, "come on down"! I've got 17 machines, new and old, big and small, and you can play to your heart's content while your wife and I go shopping!!! We'll come back when your credit card says it's time...):)

Okay, done with my little self-confidence booster for now!

Depending on where you live you could have the winter "blahs".

Momto5,

Joey don't got not credit cards .... wifie don't neither. So when the wallet runs dry we .... cry ..... :(

cabbagepatchkid,

You are not kidding about that.

Joe

I got Mr. Crinkle out today. He's my #1 Singer 66-18 and have begun finishing up a passel of bags I make. When done I'll put them on the Ruger Forum with an inventory reduction sale. Made and sold a bunch a couple years ago but the sales have dropped to zero. Time to clear them out.

Mr. Crinkle is sooooooo very quiet for a big old machine.

Joe

Mr. Crinkle is happy to be back in service. For you, Joe, if the sun shines tomorrow, go out for a walk. Having two furgirls who expect to walk no matter what the weather helps keep my spirits up. I don't recommend taking one of your cats for a walk. I tried that once. It was hilarious, but unsuccessful.

Well, Joe, I have been quilting on my mid-arm and I am not very good at it but thought since I was blah anyway just as well do something------well, I have 7 tops quilted (some throws, some queen size) and have 12 more tops to quilt! Can you tell that piecing is my favorite? But I am starting to feel better just because I am getting something done-------Hang in there, "the sun will come out tomorrow----"

Maybe you need to look for an older Bernina or Pfaff that have all the stitches and are still mechanical and metal. Something from the 60ies? Or how about a long arm? LOL Maybe try some extra vit. D and sunlight. I like joining swaps as it keeps me in touch and going.

irishrose,

Before I moved to IL :( I used to walk my moms lab mix doggie. At that time he was 70 or 80 pounds, maybe more and the two of us would go across the street to an abandoned trailer part. Tinte would go after the mice. Dig 'em up, chomp, toss 'em aside, go on to the next one. I had more fun watching that pooch do that. Somewhere I have a pic of him digging one out. You can see the back half of him out in the open, his front half in the dirt digging with a shower of dirt going over his back.
Both mom and Tinte are gone now and I can't have a dog were we are currently. When we leave here that is one of my priorities, get a dawg.

Joe

I like piecing too. I don't like cutting the pieces out though :rolleyes:. We finally go the two quilts we made for my aunts washed. Got some minor repairs to do on both of them. Then out they go.

The reality of the thing is I have very little room to sew. And quilt size things are really a PITA.

Joe

Annaquilts,

We are looking at a Bernina Record 530 right now, trying to figure out if we have enough money for it. I don't think so, my wife is drooling .....
And we have a question. The one we are looking at seems to have a knee bar rather than a foot controller. Is that right, or should it have a foot controller? I don't know anything about Berninas.

Joe

Hi Joe..
I like the idea of Vit D, and sunshine. Also walking a dog would be very nice.. You can try volunteering at a shelter. The dogs would be thrilled to get a nice walk. My guy doesn't do long walks, or chase varment.. He's a little priss, that thinks he's a huge dog, but doesnt like freezing his behind..
I love my machines, but I must have quilt block..

Joe, you do need a little fur baby - I love love love my Chihuahuas! I can put those two little guys on my lap and I immediately feel better! They take up no room, are a blast to watch playing with each other and the cats, and so much fun to watch running around the house! I also walk them every day so they can get out and get a little outside exercise. They offer so much love to their person/s!

I agree, you need to trade one of your Singers for an automatic Pfaff that does all the decorative stitches. Those machines use a normal 15x1 needle, most of them use a regular low shank foot, and they always just purr along happily sewing. Most of the vintage Pfaffs - the 130, 260, 230, 360 all take the same bobbin/bobbin case too!

Nancy

Hi Joe,

It should also have a foot control for speed. The knee bar on the Bernina serves a different purpose then the knee bar on some older singers and Elnas, which in that case replace the speed controll and can be used instead of the foot control. With the Bernina you will still need the foot control but the knee lifter is to help lift the pressure feet so your hands are free. This is a wonderful feature and is also found on some newer machines like Janome 6500. I have a Bernina 830 and really enjoy that feature.

I also got a doggie, 7 lb of attitude, last summer and it has helped me get out more often. I agree that they are very calming and help me get out in the sun.

Be careful what you wish for...
 

I just acquired one at what I thought was a reasonable price. It sews straight but that appears to the limit. I know you are a great tech guy and your stories have had my attention here. my questions on a vintage Brnina group lead me to think the part that engages the fancy stitches is frozen. I'm not very mechanical I find but someone suggested using a hair dryer to soften potentially petrified gunk...yikes! I can handle a hair dryer I think so I might try that. My machine symptoms are that the two required levers will move but the one tha changes the stitch (on the cam stack) cannot fully disengage from the zig zag slot. Ok! I know I'm in the weeds on this tech stuff now. That's as much as I understand. The other thing I understand is that I may not be able to find anyone who can work on a 54 year old Bernina. Or worse, I may find the person but at a terrible price.

I forgot to say that the 530-2 I have comes with a knee control. No mention of a foot control in manual. I did see one online with a foot control. I really like knee control, especially for free motion quilting which my frozen up fancy stitches won't affect. Feed dogs go down no problem.

I am afraid I am of not much help as my DH does the machines but I think you can find people to work on them as they are straight forward. DH has some contacts that fix machines for a living and they deal with vintage berninas all the time.

Oh good on the feed dogs mine where frozen but DH fixed it and now it moves fine. Actually the whole machine was frozen, we bought it that way else we could not have afforded it.

Nancy,
Will keep our eyes out for a Pfaff. I already have a box of feet for one, so we might as well have a machine .... right?

Annaquilts,
Thanks for the clarification. My wife's Bernina Record is like you describe so I figured the 530 should be too. Are Bernina foot controllers easy to find?

IQuiltnFL<

There are several people here much more experienced with the Berninas than me. But I'll suggest getting some Tri-Flow oil, removing the top and oiling everything that looks like it can, should, might, or would move. Let it soak, wiggle it, work it, and oil it a bit more. Then warm it if needed.

Old oil in these machines is or can be a real head ache.

Joe

Hi Joe,

The foot control is not that hard to find but they are pricey. It is the part that gives out. we had to get a new foot control. The knee lifter bar is often missing, lost. An other part that is often missing is the little detachable slide on table.
That can be hard to find. Ours was missing too. Besure to check if all the pieces parts are there as it can be expensive and or hard to find the parts for an older Bernina. Indeed on the old oil can often be the trouble. In our case there was some of that but the machine had just been neglected and been exposed to moisture. She works fine now and is one of my favorites for regular piecing and paper piecing. I have done some free motion on her but only smaller art works. I generally prefer the janome 6500 or long arm now for free motion but she does a beautiful job.

A Pfaff 360 sounds like what you need or a Necchi Supernova. If you find a Supernova you will never regret buying it. I still tear up when I think about mine. I sold it to a gentleman as a surprise for his wife who had been looking for one for a couple of years.

Do you have the 530-2? Maybe you could describe how you "unfroze" your machine. I am so disappointed that the guy I bought this from said it ran and it might need a service but never said a thing about major parts being frozen. I'm never buying a machine online again from a "non sewer". When I pointed out the issue his response was, "I was perfectly clear in my description and I don't sew". Silly me, I thought he was an honest seller...he also said he took it to a service place who said it could have the problem I found. Then why not share that info? I know why but it's Sunday and I just want to get my little Bernina working.

Thanks Joe. I looked my 530-2 over and there isn't a plugin area for a foot pedal that I see. Maybe it's an either or option.

Oh my, these pics get top marks for CUTE!!!

I don't have a Bernina 530, but the technique I mentioned is what I've done to several other machines that were gummed up.

Joe

Anna, the little dog is adorable. Going to a chilly walk today. Nine degrees with a breeze. I don't think I want to know the wind chill until I come in.

Put your big boy pants on and go out into your sewing room and play.

:) have fun

I caution you about the Bernina's. They are without a doubt my favorites, but if it is missing parts you will have to beg dealers for parts...I have a 930, 830 and 802...all of which needed work. The 930 took me months to find the proper parts so be prepared for many phone calls until you can get what you need. That being said...I love the Bernina's.

Dan,

I followed your saga of the 930 from the first post to the last. One of the reasons I'm hesitating. It's a GW auction so I can't eyeball it first.

Joe

Joe, Just take some time off and do some sewing and playing. You don't need to fix the machines as soon as they come home. Stop collecting for awhile and play.
Skip

Skip,
That's perzaktily what I'm doing. Along with cleaning, sorting, packing, and other things. Got to work on my chariot too. Just need a warmer day for that though.

Joe

I have one Bernina, an older one, but have not serviced it myself, the reason being that I do not have access to Bernina tools. Do you have Bernina tools, what are they, and where did you get them? Do you know where I can get some?

Actually, I have the same question for Pfaff tools.

I talked to a friend who has older Bernina's and she gave me the name of an older sewing machine tech. Before I jump into something I don't really know how to do I wanted to find out more. After discussing the problem i've decided to get his expertise on this. I'd love to have confidence to fix this machine but frankly it's above my pay grade at this point. This tech was very informative and I feel he can get the result I'd like..at an affordable price. We'll see. I'll be back to update the outcome. thanks for all the info you all provide here.

Joe you might like an old Necchi Nora or some such but they are sorta like a Kenmore.
Elna SU is nice and would be a challenge for you
I'm sure Pfaff, Bernina and Viking would keep you busy.
You have been working on old fairly simple machines so far - that is NOT a bad thing...

I think this time of year is depressing - no Christmas to look forward to - spring still seems a long way off
not enough sun or warm weather... blah blah blah...

Oh Miriam, I agree totally. My brother and I struggle with Seasonal Affect Disorder. Sounds crazy, but if you'd met my brother . . . . . ;0) lol

Jan and Feb are always difficult. Though, in NC this year, we have had several unusually warm and sunny days. Let me tell you, I was out on my deck with my pants, sleeves and shirt jacked up. I soaked up as much sun as I could! That has helped me a lot this year!

That is the cutest dog i've seen in a while, makes me smile!

I'm all for sunshine - not enough of it lately - yesterday we had some but we had high winds - not my thing

It's been windy and cold here yesterday, horribly windy and fidget last night and now. This day is shot unless the wind quits and it somehow warms up.

I've never been good in wind, but this year has been the worst.

Joe

high enough winds to blow away an old black Singer sewing machine... but I don't leave mine outside so we won't know for sure

If I'd of thought of that I could have put the Wizard out in the drive way to see if the wind could blow it away. If it did, I'd have one less to fix. LOL

Joe