Friday, September 9, 2011

I Feel SEW Much Better

A few weeks ago, Winona emailed me with a question about her sewing machine. Seems her up/down button stopped working, and she wondered if I had any ideas. Well, I usually work on vintage sewing machines, and I can clean the newer ones, but that’s about it. I told her I had bought one off ebay a few years ago that had the same problem. I bought it, because I had bought the same model machine new for a friend about 4-5 years ago, and I knew it was an awesome machine from watching  her use it. At the time I bought it for a friend, I didn’t know it had the start/stop feature, or anything about it, for that matter. (Did you know Kenmore machines are made by Janome exclusively for Sears?)

Post Script: A good friend of mine said she had heard that Janome was not making machines for Sears anymore, so I emailed Sears and asked. This is their reply:

I thank you for your continued interest in the sewing machines from Kenmore and Sears. Janome is the manufacturer of most of the Kenmore branded sewing machines. I hope this information has been helpful to you. Roxane D.

kenmore-16231

My main sewing machine is a Janome 6600. My husband lowered into a custom sewing table for me, and I love the needle up/down feature. I also love the start/stop button. There are so many things I love about this machine.

JanomeMC6600Pdrawer 010

When I bought the Kenmore 16231 model pictured way above for me, I felt the normal guilt I feel when I buy retail, and I put it on a shelf, thinking I would use it for a retreat/traveling machine. Last February, I was invited to a retreat. I pulled the Kenmore 16231 machine out and thought, ‘Well, I guess I should try this baby out!’ Guess what? The needle up/down button didn’t work. The start/stop button worked. (Did you know you have to unplug your foot control for the start/stop button to work?) Well, I love my up/down button, and I use it all the time, so I disappointedly put the machine back on the shelf, thinking that ‘someday’ I would get brave and take a sledgehammer to it try to figure out how to get the case off of it and see if it was disconnected, or if my hubby could figure out how to fix it. That was 7 months ago.

A few days after Winona emailed me, she emailed me again and said that she had figured her machine out. Her bobbin winder was not in the ‘off’ position. Her machine would not function that way. As soon as she pushed the winder back, her up/down button worked. Hallelujah!

Tonight, I looked at the mess in my quilting area. I have been moving things around on shelves, and trying to get better organized. My husband went to play pool with some friends, and I pulled the machine off the shelf to see if my machine had the same problem at Winona. GUESS WHAT???? Oh happy day!!!! The bobbin winder was in the wind position!! I pushed it back over, plugged it in, and my up/down button works!

Add Stickman Dancing

When Winona figured it out, she said it was just one of her DUH moments.

Add Duh

Well, sweetie, your DUH moment fixed my problem, so thank you for sharing your experience with me! I will be using this machine more now.

In other news. I have had some health issues in the past couple months. I’ve had a few doctor appointments over that time, went to see a specialist, and although things seemed to be getting better, the specialist recommended a procedure. I had that done today, and I am happy *overjoyed* to report I am perfectly healthy. Thanks to all those who prayed for me, kept me in their thoughts, and let me know they cared.  Prayer is powerful! I love you all!

Have a great weekend!

Michelle

ADD BEAR PANDA

overjoyed

adjective:

 delighted, happy, pleased, thrilled, ecstatic, jubilant, joyous, joyful, elated, over the moon (informal), euphoric, rapturous, rapt, only too happy, gladdened, on cloud nine (informal), transported, cock-a-hoop, blissed out, in raptures, tickled pink (informal), deliriously happy, in seventh heaven, floating on air

13 comments:

  1. What a great post! It is good to know about the up/down button and the bobbin winding. I will remember that in case I ever am having trouble with that. I love the dancing stick figure, that is wonderful!! I'm glad you are healthy, I really enjoy your blog. Have a great day!!

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  2. First, so happy to hear that you are healthy and happy! Second, that very same thing happened with my BIG Janome DP1600. On day the needle down button didn't work. I was in a tizzy...and then took the bobbin off the top (I had loaded an extra) and miraculously, the needle down button worked again. The worst part for me was knowing I can't quilt without the needle down feature working. Big sigh of relief!

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  3. Sweet Lady, first of all so glad to hear you are healthy.

    Anytime we can learn something new just seems to make the day a better one.

    Have a fantastic weekend.

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  4. I'm sorry you've been fighting something but glad you feel better and got a good report. ((hugs))

    Yippee for the "duh!" moment. It is good for all of us (we all have them!) and I'm so glad it was a simple fix for you. I didn't know you were having issues that weekend. Was I so wrapped up in my speed sewing? :( I'm sorry! Hope to see you soon.

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  5. Always a joy to find out your perfectly healthy ,Lord knows there is enough sickness in this world . Does Janome still make Sears machines I had heard they know longer make them?

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  6. Good news is so welcome! I'm glad all is well, and good to know you solved another sewing glitch, too. I'm loving your little happy dancer lol ~
    :-}pokey

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  7. Your news is wonderful! The release of the stress alone!

    Thank you to you and Winona for this hint, because I didn't know this. I don't use my (inherited) Janome very often. I'm so short that the open top feature is very annoying (to me). The first time I used this machine, the "dogs" were set for free hand embroidery, and they wouldn't raise. (Had to pay someone to reattach a spring.) I do like the automatic pressure feature, tho.

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  8. Michelle I'm thrilled that all is well - what a relief when we finally get the courage to do those dreaded tests and get good results. :) blessings, marlene

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  9. So happy to hear you are healthy! Also, I knew there was a reason I always liked the Kenmore machines because I love my Janome machines.

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  10. Ahh Michelle, I am just glad my solved problem ended up solving yours as well. I still think this little tip should be in the sewing machine manual. Very glad to hear that you got a clean bill of health. Have a blessed Sunday.

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  11. Oh I have been wanting to ask you how you were doing. I am so glad to hear the good report. As you can tell, I am catching up on your posts since I have been away. Thank the Lord for your good report.

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  12. I am so relieved to hear your news on the medical front. Thank You, God!!

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  13. If I'd known you needed prayer, I would have been praying for all this time. Glad you are well. I've been thinking of you as I've been looking at lovely vintage machines here. No buying, just looking, but, It's still fun. I wish I'd taken pictures of some of the machines.

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