High Enough – Ergonomics in your sewing room
Ergonomics Part 2: In the last article, we discussed why we need to pay attention to ergonomics. Now I’d like to talk about some of the ways we can do this. Most of the time, it’s little changes that...
View ArticleStanding at a Crossroads – Thread: Cross Wound vs Stack Wound
I received an email from Roger about a month or so ago that asked for clarification about one of the posts I made last year. The post in question is Common Thread – Evaluating the Real cost of thread...
View ArticleA Million Miles – traveling to speak and teach!
Note: Amended date! I goofed ladies and gentlemen, April 16th is the date, not March! Update: 2014-04-09 – It looks like the Evening class is tentatively full (may be able to open 1 more spot) and...
View ArticleStuck in the Middle – Frozen Slant-O-Matics
Note: This post is some of what we’ll be going through in the class I’m giving in William’s Lake next month. The 401A, 403A, 411G, and 431Gs along with the 500A and the 503A (or the J version) are...
View ArticleFly little nestling – Ditching the Thread nests part 1
One of the most common issues that people bring machines to me for is tension. The thing about it is that – in most cases – the tension issues are really not something that I need to address as a...
View ArticleOut of the nest – Ditching the Thread nests part 2
In the last post, we talked about ways that thread nests can be solved from a user point of view. Today, I’m getting into the slightly more technical ways that the nests happen and how to deal with...
View ArticleAutomatic Tension isn’t.
Just a quick note tonight folks! Really. One the the biggest problems I find that people have with “newer” sewing machines is a terminology problem. “Automatic” In the car world, an automatic...
View ArticleMore of it – Happy New Year!
“The only thing better than a good thing is more of it.” Happy New Year Everyone! As we go into 2015, I haven’t exactly made any resolutions but I have decided that I’m going to finish some projects...
View ArticleA little wizardry – overdue maintenance on Archaic Arcane
Last week, support for the operating system on the computer that brings you ArchaicArcane.com was discontinued. This is not unlike when Microsoft said no more XP. What this means for AA is that I need...
View ArticleThe show must go on! Videos for you while I’m writing posts.
A short note tonight everyone! About a month ago, I posted some new videos to YouTube and forgot to tell you all! These three videos are on the slant machines but the bobbin maintenance one is...
View ArticleLearning how to fly with a broken wing – Taking care of myself after the...
A personal diary/ accountability type of post today folks. Please note: there are a lot of links in this post but none are affiliate links. They are all informational and to support what I’m saying in...
View ArticlePSA: Sometimes it’s not what it seems with your seams
So today I sat down at my industrial to sew a couple of hems. Yes, overkill but I like to exercise my machines a little sometimes. 😉 Immediately after sitting down, I noticed tension and stitch...
View ArticleCuts like a knife – Scissor care from a sharpening professional
Some of you might have seen me post on Facebook about my outing on Monday. I finally took my favorite but very abused Gingher scissors in for repair and sharpening. I’m a little embarrassed to say...
View ArticleA (new) piece of my heart – I’m really piecing!
One of the reasons that I tell people that I “don’t piece” is because I just find that I can’t seem to get the accuracy that I want. Yes, I know that it takes practice and patience, “nothing comes...
View ArticleBring me some water – the importance of humidity in a quilting studio
Note: I talk mainly about long arm quilting in this post and how humidity affects it because it’s so much more quickly noticed with the speed of the machines but this post is relevant to anyone with a...
View ArticleA new pattern for a new year!
Happy New Year everyone! If anyone had told me a few years ago that I’d be teaching people to maintain their vintage machines, I’d have probably thought they were crazy. We’re planning more workshops...
View ArticleSand slipping through my hands – A 5 month update
I just realized it’s been nearly 6 months since I updated the blog. I apologize for that everyone! It’s been a really up and down several months. I thought I’d update you on some of the larger...
View ArticleDid she call me a bag lady?
For years I’ve told people not to trust the handles, joints or latches on vintage sewing machine cases. The glue is old and brittle. The nails and fasteners may be weak or loose. Often the case has...
View ArticleQuick Note: Why I don’t recommend…
simply re-threading your machine when you have problems with it. A quick note today folks! I’m inside waiting for the anti-inflammatories to kick in before I go back outside to do some bodywork on the...
View ArticleFinish what you started – cars and sewing machines
It seems like summer always brings lots of household projects. This year, it’s a leaking woodstove flashing (fixed – and the painting of the ceiling to go with it – not fixed), window frames needing to...
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