I noticed at the end of the retreat on Friday that my machine was having bobbin stitch issues … again. <sigh> When I was piecing my Storm at Sea, I encountered skipped stitches and rats nests … a lot of them. When I finished the piecing, I took my machine in for servicing … but I hadn’t really used it until the retreat. I looked at the bottom of the first seam I stitched … no skipped stitches, no rats nests … all was good … or so I thought. Near the end of the retreat, I had to unstitch a seam (ugh!) and noticed a broken stitch on the bottom.
See it there just to the left of the pin? So when I was stitching yesterday, I checked the bottoms of every seam I stitched … and sure enough, every so often there would be a broken stitch. My manual recommended a new needle … I changed the needle. No change. I removed and reinserted the bobbin. No change. I was using a new brand of thread, so I swapped that out for another brand. No change. There appears to be no rhyme nor reason to the broken stitches … I can chain piece 60+ inches of stitching with no broken stitches, or I can chain piece 60+ inches and have 4 broken stitches. There’s no discernible sound or sensation to indicate that a stitch has broken, so in order to do any stitching this weekend mean that I had to check the bottom of every. single. seam I stitched. 
Was that perseverance or insanity? Finally I gave up and packed up my machine to take it to be serviced tomorrow. I am hopeful that it will be done in 2-3 days like it was the last time I took it in for servicing because I would like to get all 42 blocks of my Kiss quilt finished and then get started on DD’s herringbone quilt. At least I have a total of 8 blocks finished … with 7 of 8 segments pieced together for a 9th block.
At least I have my hexies to work on this evening … I’m just about done with the outer ring of block #24. And while I’ve enjoyed seeing those 2 1/2” strips come together into blocks, there’s still something so relaxing, so enjoyable about working with a needle and thread in my hand … I’ll be linking up with Kathy’s Slow Sunday Stitching party.
I remarked yesterday about how our pear tree was about ready to bloom and that our cherry tree had just started to bloom … by late afternoon, I noticed that the cherry was in full bloom and our pear was close to being in full bloom. It was amazing to see the change in just 8 hours!
While getting caught up on my blog reading this morning, I found a link to a website that showed how many babies over the years were born with my name.
Obviously Kathleen was still a pretty popular name in 1951, when I was born … which would explain why there were 3 Kathys in my high school graduating class. Click here if you’d like to see where your name ranks.
Hope you all had a blessed Sunday!
Kathy
Wow sounds like you tried everything with your machine. I have heard that a piece of lint in the bobbin area can cause problems with stitches. My machine manufacturer recommends brushing out the area with every bobbin change. I hate doing it as the little lint pieces go flying every which way. I am also always tempted on blowing them out but they say that makes things go in to the machine not out. I sure hope it gets repaired quickly, but you are right slow stitching hexies is fun.
ReplyDeleteA messed up machine is no fun.. but I am glad you had fun at the retreat... sorry you had to take out stitches but at least you realized there was a problem... so that is good! My given name is Kathleen as well! How fun is that :) I was named after my mom and my great aunt. Have a blessed Sunday yourself! Kathi
ReplyDeleteSorry about the troubles...I know how frustrating fighting with a sewing machine can be!! My name chart was much like yours...Deborah is an old name that hasn't made a comeback!There were 7 Debbies/ Deborahs in my graduating class and there were only 159 of us!!
ReplyDeleteOh, Kathy, I think it's perserverance and total frustration! I do hope it is fixed in short order and you are back "at it."
ReplyDeleteNow, going to run and check out my name. Happy week!
Now, see, that's the value of having extra sewing machines. (Don't ask. I have a few...) If we were closer I'd run one over for you to use. Hope yours comes back well and healthy real soon!
ReplyDeleteAnd thanks for the name toy. I'm playing with it now.
Hoe frustrating--especially after having already had a recent spa day for your machine. : )
ReplyDeleteFascinating "name" page.
Sorry to hear about your sewing machine problems, so frustrating when all you want to do is sew. I hope they can find the problem quickly! I am definitely going to check out that name page!
ReplyDeleteHow frustrating! I hope you had a good time anyway. The name thing was so interesting! My parents were ahead of their time naming me :). I was the only "Katy" in my high school but within a few years of my graduation, the name peaked in popularity with new babies!
ReplyDeleteI always get so mad when my machine does that but more often with me it is operator error. :) I always have to tell my machine I am sorry. I always wish I knew how to repair machines.
ReplyDeleteI clicked on that link my name looks about like yours. Except it drops like a rock in 1970 I typed in my real name and they told me it was an error, no one had that name. :) As I thought.
My Dad was quite original when he named me. Have a lovely day. I was wondering as I was reading your post I thought about the thread, as I got a spool of thread that broke like that over and over. But you had checked that.
Well whatever it is I suffer from the same thing let me tell you....I keep going and going DETERMINED the machine WILL NOT WIN the battle. lol. My machine has not done this, but every other little annoying thing it has done has been do to fuzz and line from the bobbin case so I got an air blower can and frequently (EVERY bobbin change) blow it out and clean it as best I can. It does bother me it is soo touchy, but it just is. This has been working well for me. I change needles frequently too. (though I know you tried this). It is probably something that just needs adjusting. Good luck on it. You've been sooo busy recently. Can't wait to see your newer quilts coming together. Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteOh, those machines - but I'm the same, hoping the problem will just magically disappear. Hope you get this one worked out! Couldn't resist checking my name - 1916 was the peak year, long, long before I was born.
ReplyDeleteHow frustrating!!!! That does make for slow stitching. I hope they can fix it.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry about the stitching problem. Hopefully they can get it fixed quickly for you. The was interesting on the name. Mine started to go up in 1945, peaking in 1955 but pretty flat the rest of the way compared to yours.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get your machine fixed speedy quick! It's hard to sew when the machine won't cooperate.
ReplyDeleteI was born in 1954, and there were three Kathy's in my graduating class, which wasn't a very large one!
That's a frustrating machine problem. But more time for hand stitching! Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteYou need a back-up machine to use when your main machine goes haywire. Me, I have a bunch of back-up machines. I love old sewing machines.
ReplyDelete