Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Machine woes... and 25 years

Week before last, this happened.  I had been sewing away on the next Stepping Stones quilt*




 ...when.... Daisy got all tangled up (circling, shepherd-style) in the presser foot cord, and she panicked.  I made things worse by trying to hold her foot and untangle her.  With all her strength, she beat a path under the table in the other direction, and dragged my machine across the table and it FLEW off and, caught by its own cord, fell like a 1000 pounds onto the floor.


Daisy was so frightened, she ran downstairs and I found her here by the front (back) door, poor gal:


Assessing the damage, I found that the machine runs, but I couldn't re-thread it - the whole threading mechanism is warped and bent and just totally messed up:


I wish I'd had the presence of mind to just unplug the presser foot cord!!!  It all happened so fast - just like a car accident.

I took it to the Bernina doctor, where it is still waiting to be seen.  Long wait in the emergency room.  Now of course I'm trying to imagine how much it will cost to repair.... what would the trade-in value be.... should I "go for it" and get a newer machine.... WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

Meanwhile, out comes my Grandma Mary Lou's 830 Record - purchased in 1974, and meticulously maintained through the years.


Isn't this just the simplest prettiest machine?

 It is so quiet and sturdy.



 And gets the job done.  It took a bit of fiddling around to find a good 1/4" seam but once I got that,

... it was a pleasure to finish these blocks...   The sashing is incorporated into what are essentially 9-patch blocks.


The student I am assigned is named Yuu and she would like a light green quilt.  Now to piece these blocks together and figure out borders.


*The pattern is called Sticks and Stones by Bonnie Hunter.  You can find the pattern here.  We call it Stepping Stones.  A variable group of Japanese and American quilters have been making these for several years now, for 18 year old graduates of several orphanages in Tokyo.


Meanwhile this summer marks our 25th year together.... my how time flies....


Here's the snapshot I texted to my daughter, of my new ring, three loose interlocking bands:


Boy, my hands look older.  Where has the time gone?   For the first 25 years I wore a beautiful vintage ring that was David's grandmother's, which needs to either be reset, or kept for sentimental value (I'm choosing the latter).

What will the next 25 years bring?  We know enough now to not try to predict!  What we can expect is more sunshine and shadow - LIFE!



11 comments:

  1. Poor Daisy and poor machine! At least you had a stand in. Congrats on your anniversary. My husband and I both have those Russian wedding rings. Our wedding verse was Eccl 4:12b

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    1. Camilla - I had no idea this was a Russian wedding ring. We have no connection to Russia whatsoever so this gave me a chuckle and prompted a Google search! I just loved its simplicity and mix of metals, and it was unlike any ring I'd ever seen! ;).

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  2. I feel so sorry for you with your broken machine. Something similar happened to me years ago with mine, but actually, it was fixable! Those Berninas are tough! Congrats on 25 yrs. I love the idea of a new ring for the next 25. I'll have to mention that to my husband next year.:)

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    1. Thank you Audrey! I am hopeful about the machine. Yes I love having a new simple ring that feels "me" ;).

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  3. Bummer on the machine. If I had the money for a different machine I would go for it. That bo bo is the sort that throws the machine out of wack. Even fixed, replaced or what ever the other parts are just not the same. Glad you have time to think about what will work for you .......

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    1. Mmmmm this is what I am afraid of.... I will post about the outcome....

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  4. Plenty of drama in this post Cynthia, I realised towards the end that I was holding my breath. Your Grandmother's machine is a beauty, any reason you'd not want to continue using it regularly if yours is costly to repair? Love your ring and huge congrats on 25 years - Chris :D x

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    1. Thanks Chris! I could piece on the 830 Record forever.... but I would miss the 153QE for machine quilting... and just for the various modern conveniences about it. The new 700 series is absolutely beautiful too... as you know... but with price tags to match...

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  5. So sorry to hear about your sewing machine. Looks like Daisy felt bad, too. Lovely quilt! Congrats on your 25th :)

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  6. Happy anniversary. Sorry to hear of your mishap and I do hope Daisy is none the worse for it. As for the 830, that was the first Bernina (1984 I think) I purchased and is still my "go to" machine for many things. I will always love it!

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    1. Thanks Wendy and Barbara! I am keeping the 830, and have decided to give the 153 to my niece (turns out it was an easy repair!!) and have ordered a new machine! ;).

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