Stashmaster

Disaster strikes!

I've been making pretty good progress this week on our blended challenge quilt. On Saturday, the kids and I put up the Christmas decorations and I decided one of my end tables really needed some kind of table topper. A trip to a seldom-visited quilt shop Saturday netted me a fun FQ stack of Christmas fabrics that I had not yet discovered, so I sandwiched 2 of the FQs together with some batting, did a simple channel quilting and started using a third FQ for the binding. Suddenly, my trusty Pfaff started making a horrendous noise, locked up, and now the flywheel will not turn at all!

I have my backup Featherweight, but I've grown dependent on my Pfaff with its built-in dual feed. :(
I guess it's to the shop we go, and Tuesday is the soonest I could take her. I hate spending the $129, especially during this money-draining time of year, but what can you do? At least I am still able to piece using one of my back ups, but there is nothing as comfy as your trusty old favorite machine, is there?

Tune in tomorrow when I post my progress on the blended quilt.

Bonding

I spent some time this weekend bonding with my little black Featherweight. After a few minor adjustments, she was purring like a kitten and her tension and stitches are beautiful and even. I am making these 4" churn dash blocks for my Jo Morton's Peppermint Twist quilt. 9 down and 23 left to go, I'd best get back to it!

Eat your heart out, Martha!

Last fall I bought a 1950s vintage Necchi Supernova machine from one of my guild friends. A couple weeks ago, I had the opportunity to buy this Supernova Ultra machine from a Craigslist ad for only $20! This machine is in pristine condition and has many more accessories than the first machine. Plus, it's a gorgeous shade of Martha Stewart green! It was love at first sight!

Featherweight Class

Yesterday I took a class through my guild taught by David McCallum. He is a a great expert and he and his wife Sharon are both so warm, helpful and friendly. We took our machines apart, oiled them all up, put them back together and learned how to troubleshoot many problems. I worked on my white one while I was there, although since we did very little sewing, I probably should have taken my black one (that doesn't work). I did get a clue about what might be the problem (nothing happens when I step on the foot pedal, although the light works). I couldn't wait to open up that foot pedal when I got home, but we didn't have the proper screwdriver. I felt like Goldilocks - they were all too big or too small! A trip to Sears today should get me the right tools and hopefully the machine will be working again soon! If I can't fix it, his rates are very reasonable... he only charges $45 for a tune up compared to $120 at the sewing machine dealer. My mom is visiting and spending the weekend with us, so I won't get any sewing done, but we will get to spend some quality mother/daughter time together. I'm taking her to the spa today for her first ever pedicure. I've become addicted to them, and I'm sure she will love having it done too. She is very excited. Have a wonderful weekend and Mother's Day, everyone.

She's MINE!!!!

I have long coveted a white Singer Featherweight, but have missed out on many ebay and Craigslist opportunities. But Saturday, I was able to make this baby MINE! I found her through Craigslist - the price was right, the seller was close and the machine is in PERFECT condition. The case is in very good condition, no musty smell, either. All attachments and the manual are very nice and the machine sews like a DREAM. I am so happy to have finally found one of these cuties. Doesn't she look right at home?

Caveat emptor!

I broke one of the cardinal rules of Ebay.  I bought a Singer Featherweight back in January.  I was in a serious funk when the machine arrived and I wasn't sewing at the time, so I didn't even bother to test the machine.  I do believe the listing said it worked.  Well, I tried it out this weekend and - you guessed it - it DOESN'T work.

And of course it's too late to even bring up the Ebay listing to see if it was supposed to work, and I have no recourse with the seller after all this time.  I do feel like the machine can be repaired.  The electrical system works - the light comes on - but nothing happens when I press the foot pedal - so maybe it needs a motor or a new power cord?

I am registered to take a "Care and Repair of Your Featherweight" class sponsored by my guild in May.  I will take the machine with me and ask the instructor what he thinks before I take it in to the repair shop - or perhaps it is something I can fix myself after taking the class.  If nothing else, I have a cute  and very expensive sewing-related paperweight.   :(