This topic contains 18 replies, has 6 voices, and was last updated by 
offcuts 9 years, 11 months ago.
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When I bought my Singer sewing machine I bought a walking foot for it as well. I was very disappointed with it and have never used it seriously since the first hopeless attempt. I have had a bit of trouble with the machine on and off since I bought it. After the last dramatic collapse a “Man” came and had a look and took it away for repair. When he brought it back he said he had cleaned, oiled and tested it and made a few adjustments to the tension. He said quite a few other things too which I won’t go into. However, today I thought I would make a bag from velour and I tried the walking foot. It was absolutely brilliant! It whipped up and down the seams with no trouble. It still doesn’t like too many layers but coped with four. Isn’t that amazing? I can use a walking foot again. The machine goes much better than when it was new, so I don’t think it ever really worked properly before – even though I had sent it back while still under guarantee to have it sorted. Master Clock gave me invaluable advice on bobbin winding which has served me well. Just think, if we lived nearer I expect he would have sorted the whole thing out months ago and saved me a lot of bother!
Glad you had success with your walking foot. We keep one permanently on one of the Brothers at our morsroom.
We were recently given a Bernina from an education establishment. I decided to take it straight round to see Steve our sewing machine mechanic. He stitched with it and too be honest it sounded a bit rough, certainly not the smooth quiet purr that I am used to from my Berninas. Anyway then Grumpy and I were witness to what I could only say was magical! he unscrewed the foot pedal (DON”T TRY THIS AT HOME OBVIOUSLY!!) and started putting bits of solder on the circuit board (DON”T TRY THIS AT HOME OBVIOUSLY!!) whilst having a football discussion with Grumpy. He then put the foot pedal back together and tried the machine. It purred. Not only was this very impressive I am going to have to say it was sexy! Steve also mentioned that the top guy in Bernina UK said he was the youngest Bernina technician in the UK and there is no one coming up learning these skills! This is very sad cos he is not that young!
Isn’t it lovely though, that there are these amazing people about? Perhaps the Beeb should have a Great Sewing Machine Repair Challenge! That would spark an interest if the number of people in John Lewis haberdashery department was anything to go by. They were buying the Sewing Bee book and fabric in droves!
🙂
My Singer came with several foot attachments and a walking foot was one of them. I’d never used one but I’ve since decided it’s indispensable for getting a straight even line of stitches on heavier fabrics or multiple layers.
We found its good for slippery slide fabrics too.
How’s the morsbagging going JC?! 🙂
Yes – I just found out today that it’s good on slippy fabric!
Ah, I haven’t used any slippery fabrics yet but I will keep that in mind!
Offcuts, I had a bit of a slow down in my sewing the past two weeks but I should be getting back to a one bag per day average. One of my bag receipients has been so happy with the bags she has that she asked if I’d sew bags for her (she’d provide all of the fabric and thread needed) to give to her friends and family. Naturally, I said yes! Another receipient told me that her bag has become her “go to” shopping bag because it’s so easily folded and compact. Now, a bit of backstory… I live in the suburbs of Chicago and this second lady lives in Chicago. She also owns a small apartment building which rents to people coming to Chicago for extended periods of time that would find hotels cost prohibitive but aren’t in town long enough to get a regular year-long lease on an apartment. Chicago is also in the process of making a decision about requiring businesses of a certain size to stop using plastic bags. I’d told her that I’d be happy to provide several bags for each apartment and she thought that was wonderful. She has said she’ll be on the lookout for fabrics for me, as a thank you. So I’m very happy that I have homes for bags before they’re even made. Apologies for the rambling and thanks for asking!
Thats fantastic news JC. I love the apartment idea and the link with the cutting down of plastic bags. Another backstory; we are friends with a group who originated from Chicago but now live in Albuquerque. They are called the Handsome Family. I gave them a bag at a festival in Leicester and Rennie (they are husband and wife) really liked what we are doing. She now gives away bags at their concerts and she always tells the audience about us. 🙂
Love the apartment idea JC, how wonderful that you are finding new homes for your bags 🙂
What a coincidence, Offcuts, I’m a Handsome Family fan!
Sazzie, it works out well for me as I seem to have trouble giving away free things. Since when do people not like free things? I’m going to make some handouts to encourage the apartment renters to take the bags home with them and spread the word, then I’ll just replenish the apartment supply. Win win!
Ooh!
That’s brilliant JC. I love the Handsome Family coincidence too.
Have just signed back onto morsebags and having a flick through forums, I’ve got a Bernina and have got a walking foot that I love, I make a lot of curtains and sew on header tape with walking foot. It makes a boring task so easy
Cushion lady I pity you with the curtain making. I used to make ours in days of yore and, as you say, what a deeply boring job it could be. They go on for ever don’t they? Do you make curtains for other people? Or have you got a house with lots of windows? Or do you just like changing your curtains?
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