I went up to my parents’ house for a birthday BBQ yesterday (which was super delicious) and came home with one of the sewing machines that’s been living in their basement – yay!
It’s a Singer from the 1970s – model is Stylist 514. I downloaded the manual from the Singer website and threaded it up, but only managed to practice sewing together a few scraps before I heard a thunk! The feed dogs weren’t moving, and I couldn’t figure it out from looking just under the needle plate.
So this morning, fully rested with lots of light, I opened it up.
It’s not in bad shape, having been sitting unused since its last servicing. But those broken bits at the bottom? The plastic gear that makes the feed dog assembly go is just completely cracked and busted. I did feel pretty accomplished after opening it up, seeing how it works, and putting it back together, so I’ve ordered the parts and I’m going to try fixing it myself. In the meantime, though, it’s back to needle and thread!
The quilting on the chevron quilt is coming along – I think I’ll be done after one more set of diagonals. I’m already planning my next quilt, which will hopefully be pieced on the sewing machine once it’s all fixed up.
Oh, and a reminder – my birthday pattern sale is still on! Purchase any of my self-published patterns on Ravelry and get 29% off (no coupon code needed) until the end of Monday, August 5, 2013. Enjoy!
