What is behind that section of my fancy-schmancy sewing machine?
That’s where thread is jamming.
Not the good kind of jamming, like with the Cougar Creek Band. Oh, no, this is the bad, frustrating, miserable kind of jamming in a place on my machine where I can’t get to.
Last spring I had the machine serviced and adjusted for tension and bobbin-winding problems. The first time I sewed with it after that was just a few weeks ago. The “reverse” button was temperamental. And the thread jammed many times when reversing. But not every time.
Free motion quilting was impossible. I have said many, many bad words because I am trying to create a Christmas gift and time is running out.
Where did I put that seam ripper?
I talked to a repairman on the phone Saturday afternoon and he had no idea what could be happening with the machine. I asked him to tell me how to take that section apart so I could see if something was stuck. He gasped and said, “No! No! Just bring it in and I’ll look at it!”
Chicken.
If I could figure out a way in, I would do it. I downloaded the repair manual and studied it for a while, but it was too complicated and gave me no clues as to how to fix the mysterious problem in the thread path.
I’ve had to redesign the quilting patterns so I would (a) not free motion–damn it– and (b) manipulate the straight stitch quilting so I would not have to reverse too often.
Banjo Man has been hiding downstairs for the past three days. He knows that Sewing Machine Issues make me grumpy and I am someone to avoid as much as possible.
He feels badly for me, though. Friday he even bought me a little chocolate cake. And a ripe pear. Yesterday’s gift was a bowl of Italian sausage and peppers he’d made. I didn’t leave my sewing room until 8 PM. If I finish the quilt, I can take the machine back to the shop (about 45 minutes away) to be fixed before we leave for Texas and be ready for January, my prime sewing month.
I sound a bit obsessed, don’t I.
It’s true. I am.
But don’t worry, I have a Plan B. And a checkbook.
is there any more pie? 
OMG my quilty friend…not the checkbook! I had a similar, i.e. wanting to throw the machine out the second floor window, experience. I took it to Blaine’s and ended up being totally embarrassed when it turned out to be operator error and a lesson in threading the machine😖. I hope you can find the solution🙏.
Thanks, Ruth. I’m doing some experimenting with free motion now. It was pretty bad until I turned the tension way down. Maybe that’s the problem with the Reverse button, too. I’m taking a scientific approach hoping to avoid a trip to Blaine’s and an expensive repair.
Sounds like a new sewing machine. Think of how much fun you will have learning the new bells and whistles.
Maybe in 2024…but for now I’m muddling through. Merry Christmas to you and Cyn!