sewing machine — Patchwork Times by Judy Laquidara

Patience is a Virtue

June 21, 2010 · by JudyL

And I’m not very virtuous!

Over the weekend Vince cleaned and oiled his new Singer 404 machine. And then he came into the sewing room, carrying it under his arm and said “I’m ready now!” And I said . . Go Away! There’s no room in here for you! I didn’t say that but really, there isn’t any spare space in my sewing room. Seriously, he wants his own sewing room. There’s trouble brewing at Chez Laquidara! He decided his office would be a good place to set up for now.

But first, he remembered one little part he forgot to oil. Vince’s machines will be the most well maintained sewing machines ever. Too bad I can’t say the same about our yard.

All ready! Now what? It was a long weekend and now I remember why I didn’t get much done.

Sewing strips. See that bottle of booze over there? I needed that! Not really. Vince thinks just like every fence can be built with chicken wire and electrical ties, everything we own can be cleaned with alcohol. Sew, Vince, sew!

Great job! Now will you please go edge the sidewalk?

So proud of his creation. And, I’m so glad today is Monday and he went back to work.

· Filed Under: Quilting · 22 Comments

Sewing Machine Decision

October 16, 2009 · by JudyL

A new sewing machine did not come home with me. Thanks to everyone who sent their thoughts on the machine. It isn’t that I’m a Bernina snob (maybe) but I love my Bernina so much, I’m just not ready to buy somethng besides a Bernina. And, for traveling, nothing is going to beat the Singer 301 for me.

Maybe I’ll just leave the check book and credit card behind from now on and then no matter how much I’m tempted to buy a new machine . . I can’t do it!

· Filed Under: Quilting · 7 Comments

A Celebration

May 2, 2009 · by JudyL

Nope, the chickens are still in my basement. Nope, the garden spot hasn’t been touched. Nope, I haven’t lost weight. Yep, there’s still rain in the forecast. So, why the celebration?

Look who’s home!

Sorry, I didn’t think to take the picture before most of the Blood Orange Mimosa had been consumed. But, getting my sewing machine home from the shop was reason to celebrate, don’t you think?

The Bernina repairman called me Thursday or Wednesday, can’t remember . . and said all she needed was a new light switch. The on/off switch had never worked so the machine had been on for 18 or 20 years and the problem was that the case was on too tight and the switch couldn’t move. He fixed that, cleaned it, oiled it and said I should get another 18 or 20 years out of her. That was music to my ears! While at the shop to get the machine, I did play around with the 430 and that is one fine machine. It’s a perfect fit and if I needed a machine, I would have come home with that one today. But, I don’t need a machine.

Joe did suggest that I not wait 18 or 20 years before bringing the machine back for a good cleaning and oiling. I figure if it costs me about $70 for cleaning and oiling once every 18 years, that’s not a bad return for the amount of sewing I do, right?

I do love this machine and am do happy to have it home!

· Filed Under: Quilting · 29 Comments

About the Sewing Machine

April 28, 2009 · by JudyL

I read all the comments and emails about the sewing machine. There were too many to respond individually so I hope I’ll try to do it here.

The biggest problem with the 1230 is that it needs a new circuit board and Bernina is no longer making them for machines that old. Rebuilt ones can be gotten but not on demand. Seems like you kinda have to get on a waiting list. I truly don’t blame the repairman. He pretty much knows what’s wrong with it from the age and my description. I had asked him to clean and oil it but there’s no use cleaning and oiling it if the circuit board can’t be replaced. He’s been very nice and apologetic about the amount of time it’s taking and as much as I want my machine back fixed, it just isn’t going to happen in my time frame.

I seriously can buy the 430 and keep Chad in college. The decision for me is . . I don’t want a new machine; I want my 1230 back fixed like new. There’s not a single thing a new machine is going to do, on any feature that I would use, any better than my 1230 I’m one of those people who can keep the same car, machine, stove . . whatever . . forever and a day if it’s working. I don’t care too much about newer, prettier, shiny models. It’s really hard to replace anything you love so dearly and I do dearly love that 1230. I’m not sure any new machine would measure up to it. That 1230 has worked at least 19 years and this is the first time it’s been in the shop for anything .. cleaning, oiling . . nothing! I doubt there’s a new machine on the market that can hold up to that abuse. I just want my 1230 back . . fixed! But, I’m truly not blaming the guy who has it. They are a Bernina dealer and have given me a price real close to what was offered at Paducah (though I didn’t tell them I had looked at Paducah because I was pretty sure I’d buy from my local dealer).

The price on the Janome 6600 at Paducah was about 1/3 less than the Bernina and it is a very, very nice machine. But, if I end up getting a machine, my heart tells me it will be the Bernina.