I missed last week because of my garage sale and general exhaustion! LOL! But I'm back and I have a sad tale to tell.............I had originally said that Saturdays were going to be blogging about outdoors but I am revising it so I can totally devote the day to crafts. So, with that in mind, I set out yesterday morning to 'sew the day away' and I was pretty pumped about it too............until........I started sewing 'in the ditch' with my walking foot on my sewing machine to quilt the I Spy quilt (1 of 3)..............and first I noticed this...........see those stitches? Some are very tiny and some are very large...............
then when I let my foot off the pedal the machine wouldn't stop!!! It kept sewing and I had to turn it off to get it to stop...........this is what that looked like.............see those wild very tiny stitches above the green rooster's head? They are so tiny that I am having a hard time even getting them out with my seam ripper!
I have had problems with this machine since the day I got it and I am done with it! I called around and one shop in Mountain Home said they had a Janome that was just used in a class for around $500....they didn't sell used or reconditioned and no trade-ins. Then I called a shop in West Plains, Missouri which is actually closer and they take trade-ins and have machines starting at $33! Now, we're talking! It seems the minute I spend some money on something I need or have wanted then something else breaks! What's up with that? I have to have a machine though because almost all my Christmas presents this year are sewing projects for which I have already invested money in the materials! If you have any suggestions as to what machines are the best at a reasonable price.....please let me know! The one I have is a Walmart Singer which I should have known but I was new in town and there was no place else to get one at the time. I just need a reliable machine. It doesn't have to be fancy but I use it for quilting and sewing clothes and curtains and stuff for the house. So, tune in next week to see if I have a new/used machine! Being without a sewing machine would be like being without yarn and crochet hooks and knitting needles! I know...........a nightmare!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The first sock of the pair is heading towards the toe.....................
and I did manage to work on my cross stitch and it is getting to the end. I looked for snowflake buttons at Hobby Lobby the other day but no luck so I guess I will have to order them online. I think it mentioned they were from Westrims. The words...'is on the' don't show up very well but I guess it will be alright.....I'm not doing it over! LOL!
I have not been watching podcasts for several weeks now except Friday night I did watch the latest one from Joyce at Ruby Moss Cottage....love that gal! Here's a few websites I discovered and wrote down to share with you all.
Ruby and Custard
This is a crochet site with free patterns, a book she has published on Amazon and patterns you can purchase
Knitography
This site is a combo of photography, geography and knitting....she also has a vlog on You Tube
Jan Patek Quilts
If you're interested in primitive quilt designs and a very talented lady check this site out!
Samelia's Mum
This gal is an excellent seamstress with some really cute projects
Well.............I'm doing laundry, I need to change my sheets and make dinner.....I thought this was supposed to be a day of rest? LOL!
I hope all is well in your world!
Happy Trails!!!
Hi Sam :) Oh no! I'm sorry about the machine...I've only tried Brother and Singer and am disappointed with both. I remember having a really old EXTREMELY heavy Singer when I was in my early 20's and it was the best machine I ever had...but I had to get rid of it when I moved one year. Big mistake. Alex got me a reasonably priced Singer 2 Christmas' ago, they don't build them like they used to that's for sure. It works, but I always have to play with the tension. It's a basic machine, straight sewing and zig zag...nothing fancy and I think it was less than $200 on Amazon. He's originally got me a really nice one that was digital with 150 options of stitches, but honestly? It stressed me out lol...we returned it for the basic one and besides the tension issues, I'm pretty happy with it. Thanks for the blogging links! I'll be checking them out!!! Your pumpkin looks wonderful btw! :)
ReplyDeleteSinger used to be good until they started making them overseas like so many other products and of course the greed of companies. Yes, I just want a basic, reliable machine with not 'possesed' where it runs by itself! LOL!
DeleteYour sock looks great, but I'm sorry about your sewing woes. I have a cheap Brother sewing machine. I sometimes dream of a much fancier one, but you know what? It does the job well and if it goes wrong it's not the end of the world to replace it.
ReplyDeleteExactly! The more gadgets the more things can go wrong but I would like a machine that I don't have to 'futz' with for an hour before I can start sewing!
DeleteOh how sad about your sewing machine. I hear Brother basic machine is quite reliable. i had a Sears Kenmore for years and then Hubby got me a Viking cause I was doing more 'fancy' stuff but they are pricey. I still have my Kenmore and use it when I need some good old fashion heavy duty sewing. Sam's Club or maybe it is Costco carries Brother as does WalMart. I never liked Singer. I know lots of people with Brother and love them. Check on Amazon too.
ReplyDeleteYour Pumpkin is so darn cute. He makes me smile each time I see him.
Thanks for the websites to peruse.
I wish I had my old Singer when they were made well here in the U.S. but now not so much and I don't think Walmart gets the best of anything. We don't have a Sam's Club or a Costco anywhere that I know of in this state! LOL! I will check Amazon but I really like the place in MS as they have a really great reputation. You can trade in and keep upgrading every once in awhile and finally end up with a really nice machine. Thay are also whizzes at repairing them.
DeleteSorry about the machine...it can be frustrating when you get all set up to do something and it doesn't happen because of missing or broken things....your sock and cross stitch look great though.
ReplyDeleteThank you....and that confirms the reason we all have multiple 'back up' projects just waiting in the wings! It's a must or you could go crazy with nothing to do! LOL!
DeleteI'm so sorry about your machine. I have a Sears Kenmore that Hubby bought me our first Christmas, 39 years ago. It's just a basic machine but it keeps on plugging away. I have made lots of clothes, quilts, etc. with it over the years and it's NEVER been in the shop. Hubby oils it for me once in awhile and that's it.
ReplyDeleteLove the socks and cross-stitch. Glad you're having fun with those. No yarn or needles or hook?!!! Oh no, never!!!!
Blessings,
Betsy
I wish I still had my old Singer! They were good machines back in the day!
DeleteWhat about trying Craig's List in your area for a second hand machine or even Ebay?Hope you have some success whatever you decide.Have a good week.
ReplyDeleteThat's not a bad idea but I have heard many good things about the shop in MS plus they do repairs and carry supplies so I think it would be good to have a relationship with them and it's actually closer than Mountain Home!
DeleteI inherited my mother's very old machine, and I had it cleaned every year while using it. But, like you, it started to fail at working. I have a newer, portable model, but need to figure out how to thread the bobbins with it. I just haven't had the time.
ReplyDeleteI know, every time you get a new machine you have re-learn how to do everything! LOL!
DeleteMisbehaving sewing machines are SO frustrating!! I have a very basic Janome that I bought twenty years ago for about $175. It's been fabulous! A well behaved, indestructible little awesome workhorse. I wouldn't hesitate to buy another.
ReplyDeleteThe socks are great! Is that Kroy? It looks like my very favourite self-striping colourway!
Cute pumpkin. I guess fall really is soon. I'm doing my best to hold on to summer!
I have heard great things about Janome and when I was in Quilt Guild it seemed everyone had them.
DeleteYes, that is Patton's Kroy Sock Yarn! LOVE IT!!!! It's going to be one of my favorite colorways too. It seems like a great yarn at a very reasonable price! I can't blame you for hanging on to summer up North but here it drags on way too long and in the high 90's and just awful! It doesn't even feel like fall when it's almost 100 degrees....but you enjoy yours!
I love your pumpkin cross stitch. I'm sorry you had those sewing woes with your Singer. Lot of ppl have Janome's. If you get that one, do be verbal about it.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes on your sewing machine search. I still use a 20-something year-old Singer I bought at a fly-by-night operation (they were set up in a hotel and I dropped in and dropped around a hundred dollars for a simple machine). I've never had a bit of trouble with it (though it's probably overdue for a look-see). As impressed as I am at the fancy machines out today, I have to say I really like having a basic, no frills machine. I'm reading the comments here and any future posts you write on the subject with interest.
ReplyDeleteYou must have had the proverbial ghost in the machine. I love your socks - the colour is working out beautifully. Your Cross-stitch is fantastic and it will be done by Halloween, right?
ReplyDelete