Tag: sewing

Sewing Machine Service

February 2, 2026

More like: what are my options now that my long-time sewing machine repairman has finally decided to retire?

Backstory: I took advantage of a great opportunity to purchase the Elna version of the Janome 9480 with ASR that I’ve been coveting for the past 18 months. A friend and fellow guild member expressed interest in purchasing my Janome 8900. I’m so happy about the 8900 going to a new home! Now to get it ready.

Today, I took the machine in for service. Ashby Sewing has been my primary go-to for machine service and repair since moving to Atlanta. The business changed hands in September 2025, with the previous owners staying on to provide machine repair services and support for a set period of time. I was so happy to see the previous owners when I dropped the machine off this morning. I know the 8900 will be in good hands. I’m also aware that the previous owners will have fulfilled their obligations under the sale agreement sometime soon. I’ve not seen any apprentice techs in the shop, so I’m not sure what the new owners have planned with regard to future machine service & repair. The new owners have put a lot of effort into refreshing the store’s interior and focusing on apparel and garment sewing. The revamped sewing machine line-up also reflects this new direction. These changes definitely meet a need on the NW side – just not the type of sewing I like to do.

With input from those much wiser than me, here’s my plan for future sewing machine service & repair!

(1) Kid-use machines and anything vintage I can’t fix will go to one of the independent sewing machine techs who make monthly visits at Tiny Stitches and Stitched Gifts.

(2) Janome/Elna machines requiring dealer service will go to A-1 Sewing in Tucker or Sew Sew Studio in Bogart/Duluth. A little bit more a drive, yes, but not that big of a deal. The machines that I actually take to the dealer average 1 visit every 3 years.

Except for the Baby Lock Jubilant, all of my sewing machines are either vintage Singer or made by Janome. My goal is to have all of the modern machines made by Janome. Why? It will make CraftLAB much simpler if the machines can all use the same feet/accessories.

Good things come to those who wait

January 31, 2026

My new sewing machine WITH a stitch regulator is due to arrive mid-week. Cue the happy dance music!

This time last year, my sewing machine dealer strongly advised that I move on picking up a new machine before price increases due to tariffs went into effect. Unfortunately, that wasn’t a possibility as I’d needed to buy a replacement vehicle at the time. Over the next several months, I watched prices keep increasing with lackluster sales promotions. Dealers became even more selective on which machines they’d accept on a trade-in – if they even accepted trade-ins. I kept saving money and waited to see if a used machine came on the market or if prices return to reality. Neither happened.

I practiced FMQ on my Janome 8900. (I’ve gotten pretty good at variations of a loopy meander plus a boxy meander). I took a longarm quilting fundamentals class at a local quilt shop. This helped me realize 3 things: (1) I prefer to FMQ sitting down, (2) a stitch regulator is a game changer for me and (3) I’d still continue to send larger items out to a longarm quilter. Scheduling time to use the longarm has been a hassle due to limited availability of time slots. We’re limited to hand guided only – no computerized E2E for folks who rent time on the machines.

So when a substack article writer mentioned how his dad had negotiated a great deal on the sister version of my machine of choice, I reached out. An Elna 782 with the ASR for the same price my local Janome dealer was selling the 9480 without the ASR in December 2024. DEAL! They are the exact same machine – just a different color scheme and badging on the outside.

I’m supporting a family-owned business and got what I wanted at a really fair price.

I‘m good.

I’ll post pics once Ellie arrives, gets unboxed and set-up.

And we’re off!

January 18, 2026

Therapy dog activities resumed this week after an extended holiday break. Sadie was ready to get back to work! Here she’s showing off her recommended reads display at a school we visit each week.

In addition to working with our regular students, we visited several classrooms and checked in on two special friends in the AU unit. One even proudly shared his Sadie countdown calendar, where he marks off the days until her next scheduled visit. 🙂 I am thoroughly enjoying this season of therapy dog work with Sadie. We made a total of 48 official visits in 2025.

My guild hosts a large quilt show every two years. Our 2026 show will be held in June at the Cobb Civic Center. On Wednesday, the entire quilt show committee met in person for the first time. It was nice to finally put some names with faces. In person meetings reveal so much more about people that a Zoom call ever could. There are definitely some strong personalities within the group! I have a lot of respect for those willing to chair an event of this magnitude. Not me! I’m perfectly happy in my role as the kid’s exhibit chairperson for this year.

Private lessons and CraftLAB continue. Since late September, I’ve been mentoring a high school senior with her admission portfolio to FIT. We’ll complete the final required garment on Monday (then take a bit of a break!). My ‘tween students have requested a summer quilt camp hosted at my house in lieu of schlepping an hour each way to the SQTM this year. I’m mulling over the logistics involved in making it happen. Below is a sample of the gingham quilt they’ve requested. It’s a wonderful size, but will require daily sewing homework to complete in a week.

Sample of the gingham quilt project for summer CraftLAB students

What about the SQTM? Last year, I taught a number of classes at the SQTM. For 2026, the executive board decided to modify class formats, scheduling and fee structure in an attempt to boost attendance. Classes are filling, so it appears to be a good call on their part from that perspective. For me, I simply live too far away to be able to make things work under the new model. (And if I lived closer, I’d be a much more active volunteer!) I’ve been told that Sewing Machine Maintenance falls under a separate category, so I do anticipate teaching this class in the spring and fall.

Meanwhile, I spotted a new art studio in Smyrna. They offer painting, mixed media and embroidery classes. I’ll be reaching out soon about the possibility of sewing classes. Stay tuned.