I'm a loose bolt of a complete machine

[cupcake_goth]

Last night I was using the sewing machine, and the bobbin thread ran out, as bobbin thread does. I went to loosen the flywheel so I could wind a new bobbin, but it wouldn't loosen. The Stroppy One tried to loosen it, and couldn't do it.

So I spent all day today sewing lace trim by hand, because I had already planned to spend the day watching comfort TV and sewing; this just forced me to take things even slower.

Today's project: my beloved - and discontinued! - velveteen long skirted waistcoats from ChicStar are getting a little worn down both sides of the front by the buttonholes and buttons. How do we cover worn edges? By covering them with appliqued venise lace! Which meant that I had to add the same venise lace to the edge of the shawl collar, and the pocket flaps. Knitting does not work for me, I'm so-so about embroidery, but fiddly hand sewing like appliqueing lace on clothes? Soothing. Weirdly soothing.

For the sewing machine, I am going to be smart: I looked for the local sewing machine repair place with the best reviews, and called them to make sure they repair the era of vintage Elna I have. They do, so I'm taking it in this week for repairs and a complete tune-up. It hasn't been tuned up since before Mom handed it over to me around 2007, which means it's due.

Comments

[staxxy]

i have a slew of machines that I will have to get tuned up, if not out right repaired eventually.

I also find fiddling with hand sewing lace to be weirdly soothing. This is especially true if I need to sort of fiddle the lace into different configurations. There is something really satisfying about it.

[kambriel]

I've completely loved the times we've sat together and worked on little projects like that together. Warning though ~ you'd have been relaxed to the point of stupor had you been here on my recent embellishment binge! I was handstitching on average 18 hours a day, for 4 solid weeks. Only stopped because my fingers finally forbade me & needed to heal. Got some lovely results from it all though (yet *still* have loads of passementerie to use)!

[gatheringrivers]

What model of Elna is it?

[cupcake_goth]

I always treasure when we can sit together and fiddle with projects.

Handstitching for 18 hours a day?! I hope your fingers (and your wrists!) have recovered.

Oh hey, I need to reply to an email! I'll probably end up doing that Tuesday. <3

[cupcake_goth]

A vintage Elna SU from the 70s. I was probably 8 when Mom purchased it.

[m_cobweb]

I <3 hand-sewing. I also have an old machine that needs a tune-up badly, but it's easy to keep putting that off because it's old enough that I can't find feet for it any more (although that may changed since I tried last, as the internet options have increased). Hmm. Just a buttonholer would be enough for me to start using it again.

[gatheringrivers]

Sorry to take so long circling back to this.

I did find these links, I don't know if they would be of any help? I can't really watch them because I have no sound at the moment, so I don't know how much of these you'll already know - but I know for mine (singers) sometimes I learn a new "Huh, I didn't know it did THAT" out of a "basics" video, so... worth a shot at least?

"Basics" video, threading, history of Elna in case something might help. Someone's vague troubleshooting post. Also, closest I could find to a manual in case you can't find yours.

The vintage Kenmore sewing list I'm on is a HUGE fan of "Tri-Flow" for oiling machines. Having tried standard sewing machine oil vs triflow in both my kenmore AND my singers, I have to agree with them. That stuff's amazing!