Friday, December 26, 2008

Juki Report

As some of you know from this post my Juki got back home Christmas eve in a new box. It had been on vacation to Miami to get the thread cutter fixed. It had also been to Arkansas and Illinois over the past year. I didn't get around to taking it out of the box until this afternoon. I was scared. The past year has not been pleasant. My Juki has been malfunctioning since right after Thanksgiving 2007. I was not very confident, (based on the past 'return home's), that this would be a happy occasion, but I proceeded with taking it out of the box. I put it on the table.I sewed around the sample fabric a few times, and CUT the threads three different times. It cut PERFECTLY! Thank you Elbert, David, and Juki America!
It does have a secret though. It knows something I do not know. I'm pretty sure it took a tumble somewhere...either on the way to Miami, or on the way back, (or maybe in Miami). There were deep indentation marks in the molded styrofoam it was nested in for shipping, from the rubber feet on the left side (needle side) of the machine, the area on the base front, under the stitch length knob, has some light 'dirty' scrape marks, and the stitch length knob is cracked in two places. The knob is functional. It turns freely. It sews beautifully, and the thread cutter works flawlessly. So does the needle up/down button. I'm not upset, and I'm not going to complain to Juki America about the knob, but David and Elbert both want to know how it works, now that it is home. I am going to send my gratitude and praise to them once again, but I AM going to ask if I can purchase a new knob. See, I am just that way. I like my 'things' to be kept in the best possible shape they can be. I am proud of the things I work hard for, and I like to keep them in, as close to 'new' condition as I can. Yes, it will work without me buying a new knob, but I just want it to be 'right'. *UPDATE* Elbert is going to replace the knob for me when I send him the cracked one. Thank you, Elbert.

And.....I have made a very difficult (for me) decision that I know will make some of my friends sad, and maybe, some unhappy. Maybe some will even have trouble understanding. I hope that is not the case. This good 'machine' friend of mine has stitched many, many miles of stitches for friends and aquaintences, AND, for me. However, like I have stated before, the past year has been full of undescribable stress for me, full of tears, and lots of disappointments, wondering if my Juki would EVER be fixed, back to normal, and back 'home'. My sweet husband has spent many hours on the phone trying to find someone to fix it, trying to get the ones who were working on it to give us answers and return phone calls, and he even tried to fix it himself. The poor man has also had to put up with my feelings of frustrations and witnessed my tears. Maybe I am just too sensitive. I wish I didn't feel this way. This whole experience has just been such a traumatic experience for me. Maybe my 'age' has something to do with my emotions. I don't know. I also feel like I have also lost my excitement for quilting. Some days, I don't even care anymore. I pray though, that I 'find' that excitement once again. I'm not ready to give up and quit, but I am praying for that excitement to find it's way back to me.


My decision is that I am not going to share, rent, or sell 'her' quilting services anymore. I would like this machine to last me until I no longer need it. I know we, as Christians, are not supposed to let material possessions be THAT 'important', but it was a long, very difficult decision for me, to purchase my Juki, my Hinterberg frame, and my Quilter's Cruise Control. That was a lot of money for Louie and I. I went through a lot of guilt, trying to decide to even go through with it. I was excited, and it was my decision to share it with all my quilting friends, but I am ready now, to have it be just 'for me'. For changing my mind, I would like to apologize to my quilting friends who I have shared it with. I know I am pullng the plug on you, and I'm sorry for that, but I'm just trying to be honest about my feelings here. I hope you don't feel like I am being too selfish, and I hope you understand.
My Juki is 'home', safe, and sound. I hope it's here to stay this time.
And in the meantime, I'll work on my feelings, and reflect on this scripture.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21



11 comments:

  1. So wonderful your machine is back and is working as required.

    Sew on it - enjoy it - baby it - you and Louie have worked hard to reach this point.

    May 2009 be filled with many blessings from God.

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  2. I'm so happy that you got your machine back and the thread cutter is working!!!! Wonderful news!

    I'm sure everyone will understand your decision! I'm sure that when the right time comes you will get the urge again! Sort of like my mother! See....she and dad divorced about 8 yrs ago and she had not sewn since and that was something that she loved. She said that she just could not concentrate on it and lost the urge to quilt. Then a couple of months ago she said that if she had a new sewing machine she would like to finish some of her quilts! Her old on is about 35 yrs old and just needs so much work it would probably cost a small fortune to fix it! Anyway...my sister, brother and I all went together and bought her a new machine for Christmas!!! Nothing fancy, but she had mentioned a Singer that she saw at Walmart so we got it ($179) She seems to love it! She called earlier and could not figure out the automatic threader so I went out there to show her and she had her quilt blocks layed out on the bed! She is sooooooo excited and called a little bit ago wanting to go to Paintsville tomorrow to buy fabric! So after several years she is up and sewing again!!!!! She is even wanting to set my sister's machine up next to her so they both can sew....and my sister doesn't even sew!
    Kristie

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  3. You are too hard on yourself Michelle. I often have people/friends ask if I will make them a quilt and I always say no. I try to be nice and put it gently..."no I can't right now." But quilting is involved, costly, and time consuming. I do it because I love it and I frequently give my quilts away. But when I do it's my choice, my timing and not because I was asked. I don't think that just because you have nice things you have to work for other people with them. When you choose to offer to do something it will be a gift and you won't feel pressured. God will move your heart if He wants you to offer something. Otherwise, remember that He loves you and wants you to enjoy life here on earth with the things you love around you. blessings, marlene

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  4. I am sooo happy for you that your machime is finally working. You're right to want the knob to be in good shape so I hope that you're able to get that taken care of soon. I do so hope that you get the desire to quilt again. It isn't something that I have to do but it's brought me many hours of happiness and is a great stress reliever. Finally, I can't imagine anyone who you consider as friends not understanding your decision to keep your machine and frame as your personal belongings. Your friends will respect and support your decision. Now, go have some fun sewing!
    Carla

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  5. I know you are thrilled to have your machine back. Please don't feel guilty about your decision to use your Juki and quilting frame for your personal projects. Your friends will certainly understand and those that don't probably are probably not truly "friends". Nearly every quilter I know has taken some downtime when they just don't feel like quilting. I have been there! You will be back sewing and quilting again. Whenever something doesn't make you happy, remove yourself from it. After you get some distance you can better decide what truly does make you happy and concentrate on that.

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  6. Michelle, I remember how excited you were about the frame and taking a trip to Chicago to get it. And the excitement over the Juki. I have also shared in seeing pictures of the many quilts with your friends at the control. You are a sensitive, caring and so generous person. I have been the recipient of your generosity through the years. Hon, you need a time of rest. That in no way means you are selfish. You will regain your love of quilting...you are so talented. I love the cover on the machine. I know what you mean about keeping your machines nice. I love mine also and they are all old.

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  7. I am so happy for you! I know the feeling about having a broken machine. My Janome 1600P has given me fits with thread breakages and repairs. Don't feel guilty about anything. You bought the machine and you should be the one to use it.

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  8. Oh I'm so happy for you that your machine is back home and working. Don't feel bad about your decision. It is your machine and your frame, you do with it what you want. One day the spirit will move you again and you'll go through your stash and next thing you know you'll be sewing something. It doesn't have to be a quilt maybe some small project and soon you'll be sitting and sewing and smiling again.

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  9. Wonderful...i know the love of the hummm...as the needle does your bidding !

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  10. Michelle, I can just imagine your excitement to have your machine home and working again. That's great news! I think I would feel the same way you do about reserving it for yourself. Don't think of it as focusing on a "material" thing--think of it as preserving your access to an activity that keeps you balanced and happy in life. There is such a thing as giving too much--it can deplete your energy and outlook on life--especially if you begin to feel like people are taking it for granted. I'm sure it was a difficult decision, but all of your friends have the option of finding new quilting services or investing in their own machine. For now, just enjoy getting back in the saddle and watching the magic needle.

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  11. I am so glad that your darling Juki is back and working once again. Don't feel bad about your decision. She is your baby to do what you want with.
    As for losing the joy of quilting. Don't beat yourself up over that. We all go through it. Concentrate on something else that gives you joy and one day in the future you'll return to quilting.

    Love and hugs Gina xxx

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