The Sewing Machine Blues
Somebody told me a while ago that they pictured me as having an idyllic life. I would like to point out VERY LOUDLY that it isn’t idyllic. I have the same stress as the rest of you and what with the teenagers and their hormones it sometimes isn’t very nice round here at all (particularly on days when I’m told very firmly that I am the worst mother in the world). But then I guess a lot of you have days like that too.
I do the same work, family, house, garden juggling as other people do – although I have the ‘luxury’ of working from home. Mostly this is a good thing, but it also means that people can always get hold of me and I can never leave work at work, if you know what I mean. That being said, life is on the whole good and without the downs I guess I wouldn’t appreciate the ups so much.
One of my ups has however taken a gigantic nosedive. About three weeks ago I finally decided that the time had really come to invest in a new sewing machine. My trusty Pfaff has done valiant service on a daily basis for 20 years, but trying to machine quilt with it has slowly, but surely driven me totally bonkers. I spent weeks humming and hawing, weighing up the alternatives, contacting England about importing a small long-arm machine (Sweet Sixteen), deciding against, just because of the total impracticality of dealing with repairs and maintenance, not to mention the horrific cost of importing it. So finally, I bit the bullet and ordered this…
Pretty cool huh.
The Bernina 820 – Bernina’s response to the wishes of European quilters – long arm base, special quilting stitches. This machine does everything except the hoovering. I can’t tell you how excited I was when I went to pick it up.
I had a quick demo from the dealer and went home to play. I decided to work through the basics on my own and then go into the dealership in a couple of weeks with all my specific questions and queries.
Playing lasted about…oooh, twenty minutes, after which the whole thing seized up and the spool case wouldn’t open up any more. I switched it on and off a couple of times and finally the spool case opened and spat out a small and very critical looking piece of metal at me.
So the machine went back to the shop and the whole spool casing machinery needed to be replaced and it was a week before I could get it back again.
Now I have it back and I’m really not a very happy camper. The tension seems to be all over the place. I’m piecing my Bliss blocks and it most certainly isn’t bliss, I can tell you. There is a constant slight puckering and the tension clearly isn’t how it should be – following the handbook carefully seems to have made no difference at all. Warning messages keep flashing on – the thread bobbin is empty….er no….still about 800m on there by my reckoning…When it sews over a seam, more often than not, unless I sew at snail speed it skips stitches.
I have started looking at 820 forums on the web – big mistake – masses of complaints about these machines, particularly as far as tension issues go….
I’m starting to feel that I may have invested a lot of money in a big fat lemon.
So I’m going back to the shop as soon as my mother has gone home after her visit and I’m going to smile cheerily, be very nice to the dealer, plead stupidity and hope to goodness, with my fingers and toes crossed, that they can sort this out. They are nice people. I hope they will.
Otherwise I shall stand in the shop and sing the Sewing Machine Blues until they do something. If they throw me out I shall stand outside with a big placard and do the same.
You see I have a strategy. It was developed during a very sleepless night.
Helen
June 10th, 2011 at 2:37 pm
Are you aware that the newest Pfaff, the creative and expression lines also have an 11 inch opening between the needle and housing? Yes, I’ll admit that I’m biased. š The only feature that I’m not totally thrilled about is the drop in bobbin vice the front loading bobbin.
June 10th, 2011 at 2:50 pm
How disappointing. How frustrating! I`m sure similar laws apply in Switzerland in that something sold needs to be fit for its purpose i.e sew! I wouldn`t smile too cheerily but be polite but firm. Sorry – that`s the ex-lawyer in me rearing its head but they need to sort it out. Hope it sorts itself out soon Helen…
June 10th, 2011 at 3:28 pm
I’ve got the 820 and I can’t complain. The only thing is that “she” is a bit temperamental with different threads. “She” only like good quality ones, otherwise “she” tends to make a fuss ;)… You might also want to read this post by and Australian Quilter who does the most amazing quilting on this machine:
I’ve got the 820 and I can’t complain. The only thing is that “she” is a bit temperamental with different threads. “She” only like good quality ones, otherwise she tends to make a fuss ;)… You might also want to read this post by and Australian Quilter who does the most amazing quilting on this machine: http://dontlooknow.typepad.com/dont_look_now/2009/06/a-little-bernina-820-love-.html
June 10th, 2011 at 4:41 pm
That is so disappointing. My machine is really old and very basic. I bought it secondhand from an old lady during my university days. It is cast iron and sews like a charm. I have sewn everything from curtains to my wedding dress and even a bit of quilting. I hope that the dealer with sort out your machine so that you can be sewing again. Love the garden photos too.
June 10th, 2011 at 4:48 pm
is there a “lemon law” is switzerland? Maybe they will give you a new machine. I don’t have the same model but my Bernina has been a trusted friend for 7 years! I hope you can get it to working order and get back to creating and sewing!
June 10th, 2011 at 6:50 pm
I hate it when this type of thing happens – we go in with such big expectations and than end up being disappointed after spending a log of money. I really hope that your problem is solved in a satisfactory manner.
So far I am very satisfied with my new Janome although I haven’t had much of a chance to use it yet what with the retreat and the fact that I managed to scald four fingers of my left hand making a bean salad to take along to our Guild’s end of season Pot Luck Luncheon (I told everyone they had better enjoy it after all the pain it caused me).
Hope this hasn’t spoiled your visit with your mother – enjoy her while you can.
A last word – don’t plead stupidity – you are not – the machine is at fault not you!!!!
June 11th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
I just loathe it when things go wrong with machines. I really hope you get it sorted as soon as possible. Be firm! (Mind you, there have been times in my past when I have mentioned standing outside with a placard to lousy shop assistants. I may even have mentioned taking out a full page ad in a Sunday paper to warn all prospective clients re problems. )
June 12th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Oh, how disappointing. It looks like an awesome machine. My New Home finally gave up last year after 19 years of solid service. I have a very basic Singer as I’m a very basic sewer. So far sew good, as they say! Do hope you can sort the problems out. š
June 15th, 2011 at 9:30 am
Sorry about the machine (and the fact that I am doing catch up on my blog reading!). I have a Bernina QE which I got second hand and I have to say I love it. I love, love, love the stitch regulator for FMQ but I know I have read online that other people hate it so I guess it is each to their own. I wouldn’t be doing any FMQ without it, I don’t think. I wouldn’t mind the extra space to cram the quilt through while quilting that I see on your machine. Makes me wonder why they don’t just automatically so that on any and all machines who’s principle purpose is quilting?!?! Hope your problems get sorted.