Yesterday I asked my good friend and quilting buddy if she wanted to go with me on an errand, and thankfully, she was available this morning. We met at my house, went to breakfast, and then took my sewing machine to the sewing machine hospital, or spa if you prefer, but it needed some repair in addition to the spa treatment, so I'm inclined to say hospital. It will be at least a week before I can bring her home.
When I get her back, I'll be a little poorer, but I will be SO very happy to be able to sew again. I've never given her a name (maybe Ruby, or Rosie/Rosy to coincide with her red front?), but she's been an excellent companion and workhorse since I purchased her, oh so very long ago (ten years more or less?), and she's never ever been to the spa. Some will shame me for that, but I've cleaned out her lint with every bobbin change and given her oil drops then too.
I realize I don't have a good close-up of her, or couldn't find one if I do have one. She's a Pfaff Lifestyle. If I were to ever purchase a new (second?) machine, the only things I'd like to have added are 1) a needle down option, and 2) a low-bobbin warning. Other than that, I don't care much about any other bells and whistles. She only has 10 or 12 stitches, but I've not bothered with any other than the zig-zag on occasion.
For her return, I will have to do just a little bit of tidying and cleaning in order to set her table up again. Ants were invading so I'd set out a Terro bait station and managed to have the entire contents, liquid, spill out in a pool. I've left it there while the ants were so busy consuming, but yesterday went to wipe it up with tissues and realized the liquid had hardened - who knew? - so will now have to figure the best way to clean it up without damaging the flooring.
Before this machine, I had (still have) a 'cabinet' model Sears Kenmore from the '50s. I used to make clothing on it. The problem was always that the needles hit the bobbins and I don't know why, otherwise worked fine. It hasn't been sewn on since at least 1999, and serves only as a bedside table now. I also have Marty's mom's, also ca. 1950s, sewing machine; portable but could be used as a boat anchor - yep, that heavy! It works well, but would have to be lifted onto the table, and it hasn't been used since I got the Pfaff...and would have to be dug out of in-house "storage", hehe. I think it'll be just a little longer before I can sew again, unless I do some hand-work. I've plenty of 'catch-up' issues to work on now that I'm home to stay. Home to stay...has a nice ring to it!
I've been home for six days, and will be home until 10/13.
There has been no fabric in, nor out, since my last post - wow, that was a long time ago!
My
machine and table are back up and ready for action though. But what
did I notice as soon as I went to turn it on? The light bulb has burned
out! It's the first time since buying the machine that I've needed to replace the bulb. I've had the machine for probably 10+ years.
Look how small that bulb is! It's on my rotary mat and is barely an inch long and only 3/8" wide. Clearly I cannot steal the bulb from my other old monstrosi machines, so will have to see if a sewing machine shop locally has one.
Someone mentioned perhaps our Joann's sewing center may have them as Singer, Viking & Pfaff are all owned by the same company now; my machine is a Pfaff. I was wondering why, when I Googled it, I could only find it for Viking. For my birthday back in July I was given a Joann's gift card, so maybe I'll head there first.
Now, to clear off all the paperwork I've also been sorting through in my sewing room and pull out a project and get some sewing in while I'm home.
