Updates and other shenanigans. Like machine repair.

It's been really difficult to get going again after the past stressful month or 2.  I'm sorry I haven't gotten any projects out for awhile. I have been making things, but I've really taken the time to do some other less "showy" projects.

Like, making progress on unfinished objects. The blanket, not the boy. Well, he always needs more work :) Crazy boy. He's getting too grown up - he'll be 3 in April, and I can hardly believe it.

Finishing off a pretty table doily. It's from the Glory  doily blanket pattern. I really enjoy the pattern. I wanted to use this super thin and pretty yarn, so instead of a blanket it's more of a table cloth. I'm cool with that. :)

Getting my Christmas shopping done. Ish.

Decorating the house for Christmas.

And fixing my newest adopted baby - the Kenmore 1946.

Wow. It has been a project!

I picked her up at the thrift store awhile back, and she worked like a dream initially.  And then I tried to make her do a buttonhole. And it was all downhill from there.  Long story short, I can now take the machine apart in my sleep, including the top, sides, and bottom, as well as the motor pulley assembly, the feeder assembly, and so on.  Everything has been oiled and cleaned VERY thoroughly.  After days of tackling the issue my fabulous Mr Tupelo located the issue.

It seems whoever owned the machine before NEVER made buttonholes and so the parts had rusted together.  Nothing a bit of oil, heat, and time can't change. So we have it set up where I can use it for all the other settings, and we're letting the oil sink in for the time being.

If you ever want to learn about mechanics and basic machine functions, buy yourself a thrift or garage sale sewing machine.  You won't feel too bad if you break it, and if you go back to the older cast iron machines, you'll find they are more basic and harder to break irreparably. I loved/hated doing it. Not sure I'd do it again, but I really got a lot out of it. Especially considering it cost me $20 with the carry case.

I really like this machine. I thought about reselling it, but with all the work invested now, it's living here for a good while. She needs a good name though - any ideas?  I have Ethel (my "new" Singer) who is going to live with a very good friend of mine soon) and Lucy the Third (my serger). This machine and my other Kenmore from the treadle table still need names.

I use a special oil on my machines - it's called Tri-Flow. I've heard you can find it locally at Ace Hardware, but some say bike shops carry it.  I ordered mine online - most retailers carry it. You can find it here through Google affiliate ads. (transparency and all).  It has a little straw applicator to apply it to the deepest innards of your machine.

 My vintage sewing machine groups have both suggested using it, as it has Teflon in the oil and helps keep the parts free. I use it to hit all the moving metal joints in my machines. Handy in machines that may not have moved for many years.

If anyone is interested in how the machine was broken and how I fixed it, contact me. Finding this information on the internet is impossible, and I hope I can use my experience to help someone else.

That's where I'm at this week. How about you?

I can't seem to get in the Christmas season spirit with the 90 degree weather we're subjected to in Texas this week. I hope you get some cooler and more seasonal weather your direction.

I'll catch up soon!

Jess