Tag: sewing-machines

Upcoming class I’m teaching at the SQTM

February 28, 2024

Sewing Machine Maintenance – Saturday, April 20th 1:30-3:00 p.m. Cost: $35 + $5 supply fee
Let’s do a little spring cleaning on our sewing machines! Just like your car, your sewing machine requires regular maintenance to keep it performing in top shape. Do you know what type of maintenance to do and how often to perform it? We’ll start with our machine manuals and work from there. We’ll also share resources for learning more about your vintage and modern machines, plus provide a list of area sewing machine repair shops.

I’m really excited about the sewing machine maintenance class. A basic machine service runs $125.00 – $140.00 in my area – more if you have a machine with an automatic thread cutter or an embroidery module. Most sewing machine companies recommend an annual service. If you have the super high end TOL computerized machine that costs as much as a new car, then yes, you should absolutely plan to take it in to the shop for service on an annual basis, in addition to the routine maintenance you perform yourself.

For other machines – if you keep it cleaned and oiled, use quality needles & thread, protect it with a dust cover and your machine is running fine, there’s really no need to take it into the shop for an “annual” service. (BTW, I service and maintain my vintage machines myself.) Save your money! Furthermore, you CAN learn how to replace the bits that tend to break – spool pins, needle threaders and thread cutters. Parts are available to DIY. This is how I keep my classroom machines running. I know I can always take it to the repair shop if it’s something I can’t fix. Today, I picked up the Baby Lock Jubilant from the repair shop because I couldn’t figure out how to replace the blasted needle threader. This is the first time it’s ever been in for service and I’ve had it four years. Cost: $160.00. Believe me, I’ll be learning how to work on Brother/Baby Lock machines as well as I do my Janome machines! Don’t want to DIY simple repairs? That’s fine. Even with basic maintenance, you can probably stretch the service interval to once every 2-3 years assuming your machine is running fine. You’ll still save $$.

When does it make sense to replace rather than repair? (1) Your sewing machine is the $99 special from the big box store and you can’t fix it yourself. To me, it makes more sense to replace it rather than repair it (unless the machine holds some sort of sentimental value for you). (2) You have a computerized machine that’s out of warranty and the cost of a new motherboard is half the cost of a used, similar machine. Put it this way, should my 8900 need a new motherboard, I’ll be getting a new machine.

Janome machine disassembled to replace broken plastic spool pins with metal ones.

My essential Featherweight feet

February 13, 2024

Intended audience for this post: Newer Featherweight owners.

Your machine may have come with a single presser foot all the way to a blue velvet lined box full of different feet. The Featherweight Shop does a great shop of explaining each foot and its purpose. That said, you really only a need a few presser feet to handle most quilting, garment and home dec sewing projects.

These are the feet I keep with my Featherweight at all times:

  1. Original presser foot
  2. Original zipper foot
  3. Modern low shank snap-on adapter with 1/4″ foot, scant 1/4″ foot and “open toe” foot
  4. Modern walking foot made especially for the Featherweight
  5. Modern low shank FMQ foot with feed dog cover

I use my FW for piecing quilt blocks, quilting small items, mending and making home dec projects. The one separate attachment I highly recommend is a buttonholer with as many templates as you can find.

Collecting vintage feet and accessories is fun! I do have a complete set of original feet that would have come with my FW in an original Singer box that’s seen better days. It’s put away for safekeeping, along with the original foot controller and cord with the bakelite plug. I also have several other accessory feet that I’ve found while antiquing, including a Penguin foot. My collection includes a zigzag attachment with several pattern cams. It’s fun to play with, but not exactly designed to be used for precise zigzag stitching that you might need in applique. If I’m at a retreat with my FW and our project involves applique, I utilize the Lori Holt solution – hand applique or use a straight stitch. If I know in advance I’ll need a zigzag or blanket stitch for a project, I’ll bring my 3/4 size Elna STAR edition instead. It fits in the same Buc-cee’s travel bag!