Wow you guys! Im jealous! Im lost in rufflandia......but brought this about by my own doing - and Im not complaining.....just wish I had a little time to make myself something. I did get the Victorian bonnet ready to embellish. So thats something!

Im going to redo a lace tattered shrug that Im meaning to sell soon. Wasnt thrilled how this turned out.

The Big Daddy ( a big old steel head cabinet Kennmore) is over 35 years old and has never been to a repair shop. Ever. My father gave it to me in the late 60's as a Christmas gift, right before he passed away. Even if it never worked again, Id never get rid of it. Thats the one I learned on, maintainance I mean, The only thing Ive ever had to do, other than clean and oil, is change the belts. Once. In 35 years.

For all the sewing machine users out there who dont use it often, you should. At least turn the fly wheel once a year. You dont even need to plug it in, just turn the wheel by hand. The reason for that is the oils can dry out and gum up, and the motor can seize up, and that, my freinds, is an expensive fix. Keep the dust out, and keep it oiled. I use a cheap long handled fairly fine paint brush. I take a milk bottle cap from the garbage, clean it dry it, and put a few drops of sewing machine oil in it. Then dip the brush in and apply the oil to anywhere metal moves on metal. Open the front of the machine and turn the flywheel to ID moving parts. So far, so good, not rocket science. Anything you remove from the bobbin or shuttle area, just line it up in the order you took it off, then reverse it to put everything back together. Still very easy. Its just like changing the oil in the car. its THE most important thing to do in the up-keep.


One secret weapon I keep in the tool box is a very small extra fine knife sharpening stone. What on earth for? you ask? For getting rid of those pesky little burrs on the tip of the shuttle that make a rats nest of the thread. A quick swipe towards the point on each side will do the trick. Then test it with your fingernail to see if it smoothed out. Keep the shuttle point as sharp as you can, dont blunt it at all.

When my son was 9 or so he found an old junked sewing machine in the garbage. He hauled it home and asked how it worked. I handed him a screw driver and said "Figure it out!" He had the best time fiddling around with it for the rest of the day, then asked if I would teach him how to sew, to make something for his dad. We went pattern shopping, fabric shopping, and then worked our way thru the instructions. He made his dad a denim chefs apron with ties and pockets. He also asked me to not tell anyone that he sewed it together himself. I informed him that many men knew how to sew, and there was no shame in that. All life skills are a good thing! My son took home Ec, and my daughter took auto shop. He can sew on a button, and she can change the oil in the car.

I cant tell you how many times Ive heard people say they havent use the machine in years! and not sure if it even works anymore. I find it to be kind of sad in a way. Its not hard ro do, they just dont realize it needs to be done. Sew, I try to spread the word. ;-)) ~*~

Aja's comming over tomorrow and we will be starting on measuring and cutting and tipping the bones. I prefer steel, and since Im the one chipping in the boning, that is what she will be using. I think the only thing plastic bones are good for is looking good on a hanger, they arent really strong enough to control a figure unless the figure isnt really there to begin with.