A Thread-aholic in Colorado

Dos and Don'ts of Sewing -

This is a DON'T:

DO NOT fill up "one" bobbin with 12 different threads. I unwrapped color after color from the above bobbin and the buried threads were so fragile they broke multiple time. There is no reason for it as bobbins only cost about $.25 a piece. DO designate several bobbins various colors such as black, white, red, blue, yellow etc., based on your needs. The most common color I have for a bobbin is beige. It blends in with most fabrics. The only bonus to this technique is that it serves as a great example of what NOT to do when winding a bobbin for your next important project.

 

The Thread Cutter

Many machines make your life easier by threading you needles or cutting your thread as necessary - especially on embroidery machines. Its important to note blades and knives do get dull after a while and even though the mechanism tries to do your biding, your sharp blade ends up being a butter knife and the thread is more or less sawed instead of cleanly cut (Example of a 10-needle below). Many of you are adept at removing your bobbin case and needle plate to remove excess or gathered fabric. That's great, but beware the blades are very tiny and easily broken. Do not pull too hard because that resistance may be the very thing you are trying to save. General rule: if your machine is telling you it would like a spa day, then pamper it and bring it in to your local technician. Always consider proactive and not reactive...

Self Promotion - Is there a doctor in the house?

We offer sales of Janome, Bernina and Baby Lock machines. I am certified in those three, however I welcome any machine brand and model into my little shop.

If I am able to service and or repair it, I will. If I cannot, I will let you know.

My Bench Fee evals are $35 and I waive that fee if you authorize the regular service. Most machines can be brought back to life but others have worn themselves out after so many years. Parts are either non-existent or are overly priced for what you can get out of brand new machine. In any case, it's your decision.

We'll do what we can to keep you sewing and keeping your projects on track.

This machine's main job was creating costumes...

 

...until it finally died from lack of service. IF you blow this one up, you will see a few items of interest. One - this is a straight pin hanging from a wiring harness. Two - the gear mechanism (upper left) is cracked and the part is no longer available. Third - there is just a lot of residual fabric bunched up enough to clog all of the gears, and dry out the area.

 

 

I am sure the clothing created was absolutely wonderful - seeing the eclectic array here should bear that out.

I change out the needle every time I service your machine....

I used to throw needles in the trash. After I was looking for a place to pour out scented wax (drowns out machine oil smell), I started sticking old needles in the mix. Well, the below pic is the container I discard all of the needles I pull from the machines i service. No matter if you tell me you have a new needle in your machine, I will take it out and replace with a "newer" needle. Reason? Well, I want to start with a sharp, straight needle secured in its clamp so I can ensure your timing is correct. It also ensures my sample fabric, needle and thread are all in sync for the best sew off I can provide. In any case, I hope to fill the container up, pour in more wax and hide it in a haystack in rural Colorado. I think that would be funny if someone found it.... 

 

 

 

Tech Tips - If your thread cutter is not cutting...

STOP!!

You can only go so far until the fine pieces of metal plates begin to bent and possibly break. Below is an example of lack of attention - listen or an least watch - what your machine is doing. (Pic is of thread bunched under knife)

If it is not performing as it has in the past, stop and evaluate. If you are unable to correct the issue, by all means, bring the machine to me. A little service and cleaning will save you $$$ in the long run.

Is your thread cutter not cutting? See below

There are several reasons for your cutter not to do its job. Could be the blade (dulled); could be the threads are bunched up under the cutter arm, or it could simply mean the area is just dirty and needs its service. If you think you may be having issues, I am a phone call or a quick trip to the shop....

 

 

Ever clean a serger?

I have. For proper clean and service to include lubrication and the exact portion of oil, see me. Hopefully, my shirt will be a little cleaner...

Would you know if your baby's diaper was full?

From your friendly neighborhood technician: Yes, your baby would tell you in some way that their diaper was full and becoming more compact with every hour (or day if you are using your imagination). So imagine this - your sewing machine telling you the same thing. The bobbin is not rotating in sync with the needle/hook. The feed dogs are not pushing the fabric. Or maybe your tension is off... these are clues. Your machine inner rotary area is filthy dirty.

Personally, I am okay with that. Your machine is not functioning, enter the technician to clean and service it. But then again, you should take care of your baby and they will provide many years of joy. If not, well consider the alternative....

 

Have you updated your machine lately?

Customers have often asked about upgrades and updates. This depends on your brand of machine and how technology changes with that particular model. Obviously, mechanical machines will not be updated unless you decide to put primer on it and paint it a different color. I am talking about computerized machines. Most version changes (example 1.1 to 1.2, etc) will add a few more fonts or change another small aspect of the program. Upgrades basically give you a whole new machine. Its like putting a brand new motor in an older car that will bring it back to the modern era. For instance, the Baby Lock Destiny and the Janome 15K are coming out with upgrades now. I will always suggest upgrading when the opportunity arises. The Head Quarters techs are always tweaking the back end based on your suggestions and ideas. If they can make your life easier, they will provide the means.

Go to your particular machines home site and check version. Most of the time you can update your own machine. However, if you are not comfortable with the process, I can help. If you bring your machine to me for regular service, I will update the version as needed and warranted. Remember, version changes are minor. The full blown upgrades do have a price tag and depends on the machine. Check with us at one of our stores and we'll assist you. Keep your machine running smoothly and enjoy all of the benefits the sewing experience has to offer. See you soon!

Friendly Neighborhood Technician

By now, most know we have opened a second store in Pueblo; Kim and I have been bouncing back and forth as we are needed. Machine service for both stores is going well and I am keeping up - with minor delays for ordering parts and such. Today I was in the Cañon store and had just finished re-furbishing a vintage Singer when a customer came in from Minnesota (We are in Colorado). She was visiting her family in a nearby town and heard of our shop - yes heard of us in Minnesota. She bought in a Janome 500E and though she had purchased it over a year ago, had only tentatively used it once. She mentioned the business from which she made the purchase did not give he any insight.

Enter Me - technician guy

I happened to be running a design on a Baby Lock Destiny - making me look like a professional - so I appeared to have a handle on embroidery. I escorted our customer into our classroom and set up her machine. I gave an impromptu class to include hook run timing, the importance of needle size versus fabric versus thread, how to clean and the importance of the upper take up lever. Next, we hooped fabric with stabilizer, set the pattern and created a sample that she was very happy with. However, its not enough to show. The final test was the all important activity of self satisfaction. It was her turn. She showed me how to thread, how to hoop and how to stitch out a pattern. She was no longer afraid and now very excited about the prospects.

She said she comes to Colorado once a year and for us to expect her in the summer of 2018 for her machine to be serviced. Confidence is a wonderful thing. 

What lurks behind those pretty outer shells...

Well, brains of course.

This is why it is best to take your machines to a certified, factory-trained technician. Besides having complete access to Baby Lock, Bernina, and Janome tech support and original parts, a certified technician can provide the best care and maintenance for your machine.

What? 5 days in a row? Who is this guy?

From the Tech Bench...again...

What? So I was given a task. Not a tough one, but one that requires some thought on my part. We are coming to a close on our week-long training here at Fenton and the hosts of Baby Lock have been gracious, helpful and entertaining. Thanks guys!

Today, I am going to show you the Baby Lock Aventura (BLMAV). It is a combo machine with the best of both worlds (utility and embroidery). It has 141 built in designs, 13 embroidery fonts and USB ports to import your own. The hoop field is 6 ¼" x 10 ¼". For more features, go to http://babylock.com/sewing/aventura/

So here is the techie part.

 
There's a lot to learn on how to keep your machine in its prime condition, but that's why we're here. Best part is not only can I service, but once I put it all back together I sew on it to ensure its performance is flawless...

 

Another naked pic or two

From the Tech Bench

Day two of Baby Lock Tech training saw us disassemble Baby Lock's top of the line serger, the Ovation. As intricate and precise as it is mixed with fear and complexity for most technicians, I saw it as the easiest, most user-friendly machine in the serger line up. There is no "timing" to speak of since everything is "fixed on flats". For instance, if a needle come down and hits an immovable or excessively thick piece of material, the shaft's screws may give a little while the power continues to rotate the shaft. The fixed screws are there for a reason - to keep the shaft and gears in sync. If they are not where they are supposed to be... well, your timing is off. "Fixed on Flats" means the Baby Lock shafts have a flat portion where the screw tightens into the gear(s). Again, if a needle comes down and is abruptly stops, the entire system stops because the screw cannot advance "around" the shaft. Hence, never a timing issue.

There may be a time where the upper and lower loopers are knocked off their game a bit and they will need some minor adjustments (to which we were tested on), but that is rare. The loopers are in concert with the needles and knives to give you the perfect stitch. So a couple of pics of the inner workings and tomorrow, I will demonstrate the effortless threading system.

Looking from the back....

 

Looking up from the front/bottom

 

Inclement weather ! - onward to Baby Lock training May 2017

FROM THE TECH BENCH

We are off to Baby Lock training! Why fly when you can travel crosscountry on motorcycles??

Thursday 18th - Motorcycles packed.

Friday 19th May - Canon City to Oakley, Kansas. 270 miles. Left with overcast skies which quickly turned into rain. Average temperature was 43 degrees. Heated handgrips, but wet gloves. Kim has a heated suit but not much help. We pull into out motel later afternoon with hypothermia....

Saturday 20th May - Oakley, Kansas to Bonner Springs, KS. 336 miles. After a wake up coffee, hit the road with high winds but they were coming from the north/northwest so bearable at 50 degrees. No rain - a bonus. Stopped at a Harley dealer in Hays, KS (Doerfler's HD) who were excellent. Kim got a new full face helmet (to keep the wind from pulling up her shield) and warmer gloves. I got a poker chip. Great people.

Sunday 21st May - Bonner Springs to Fenton, MO. 270 miles. This was a beautiful ride to make up for the last two days. Average temps were 60-63 with blue skies and light traffic this Sunday. Rolled into Fenton and Baby Lock about 14:30 (get used to my military time). Took the pics attached, then settled into our rooms. Lorraine flew in and arrived about 19:00.... Prep for this upcoming week.

You can't see from the pics, but the bikes have a lot of rod grime....