October 11, 2009

  • My Sewing Machine Commits Suicide, I Think

    I didn't get the baby since Johnnycakes decided to keep her with him today.  But, I will get her tomorrow for a few hours while they go over to the house they are going to be renting to start cleaning it up for themselves.

    The house is actually Kym's, Johnnycake's mother.  She has been back with her ex- now for a while and I guess she feels comfortable letting the kids rent it rather than strangers.  They will be close to us anyway since the house is only about a mile or so from us.

    It's because of getting the baby tomorrow that I decided to go ahead and make another pair of pajamas for the baby today.  I checked it out and it was a very simple pattern.  I bought a stretchy material yesterday that was on sale so I pinned the pattern, cut it out and started to sew it.  Right away, all kinds of stuff started happening.  First the material got trapped into the feeder bars.  I got that taken care of and managed to get part of the pants done before the bobbin started going all weird on me.  Now, I had checked my book and I was using the proper stitch and the proper foot for stretch material so all I could think of was that the thread might have been the problem.

    So, instead of using the thread that matched the material, I put the same thread I have been using (white and very fine) in and tried using that.  Nope.  Same damn problem.  I checked to make sure there was nothing stuck under the feeder bar and it was clear so now I am stuck.  I even tried using some of the leftover fabric from the outfits I already made but the machine did the same thing.  I guess it means it committed suicide rather than make any more pajamas for Chewlee.  BAD MACHINE!!!!!!  BAD MACHINE!!!!!  Now I have to take it to an authorized repair center in Huntsville.  *sigh*  I have only had the darn thing since August 26th.  It was an expensive one, too.  It's the Brother SE-350 that does embroidery also.  I would never have bought it but the Beast always tries to *spoil* me in really dumb ways.  *I* don't have to have the BEST.  I just want something that works without problems.

    The Beast cooked up a bunch of chicken legs and thighs for the dog and I decided to use the broth for some homemade chicken soup.  Didn't take long at all to get it done and makes for a nice quick meal.  I used up the last of my celery and carrots so had to add them to my list of groceries I will buy next week.  I no longer trust my memory for all those things I run out of during the week.  Sometimes my memory isn't jogged while going through all the aisles like it used to be.  It really IS a bitch to get old, isn't it? 

    I'm really ticked off about the sewing machine.  Bugs the hell out of me that it's screwing up on me.  I had a cheap one made by Singer that I used for years and it never gave me one second of trouble even when I made heavy jackets.  I actually had a lot more personal control over it than these new computerized sewing machines give you.  You can't even adjust the pressure of the foot on the fabric to make sewing stretch materials a breeze.  Damnitall!

    Oh well.  Can't get frustrated over the stuff you can't control.  Their warranty should apply.  I just hope that I can get it back quickly.  I'm going to call both of the shops that are authorized in Huntsville on Monday and speak with them to try to get an idea of how long it might take.  I hate that trip up there but I might be able to get the Beast to take me to a real fabric store so I can find a nice dress pattern or two for things I want to make for the baby.  I also need to try to find a good leather thimble if possible so my fingertips won't be raw from pinning together a pattern or attaching a ruffle (they are a BITCH to pin so you can sew them on).  If I go without the Beast, I could even manage to stop at one of the craft stores to pick up a few supplies I need.  Hmmm.  Now that's something to consider.  Naw!  The Beast wouldn't miss a chance to hit Huntsville.  He loves to go there with me so we can stop at Outback.  Besides, we could use some things from Sam's Club and we've kind of put that off far too long.

    Time to get this posted for your perusal tomorrow (Sunday).  Love you all.  Wish you a wonderful day with family and/or friends.  Here's a wish for you all today:  *May you always have a rainbow of smiles on your face and in your heart forever*  (You know how I feel about smiling anyway....)