Free and No-So-Free

Last week I got a call from a friend asking if I wanted another free sewing machine. Of course I said yes because he hadn't sent over anything I couldn't handle... yet. Besides, if I couldn't fix it I knew what to do with it (parts, etc.). When it gets dropped off, here's what I see:

Table has seen better days!

Oh my, that's a pretty scratched up surface. Inside is a Japanese built JA-13 sewing machine, badged Universal, model KAT, that is dirty but the hand wheel turns so there is hope. Last night I was itching to get a look at it so I pulled the head out of the table and brought her inside. She is one dirty bird:

This photo doesn't do it justice but, trust me, this was grimy

Surface dirt is usually no problem so I take a look inside to find the bobbin case, hook, and ring all covered in a sticky substance. Although I'm not sure what was used, you can bet it was some type of oil that has now congealed into a sticky mess. Thank goodness sewing machine oil cleaned it right up and from there I see there are only a few other parts that got this treatment. Most of it is just dirt that is easily cleaned off with sewing machine oil. Everything is moving really nice until I check the feed dog drop:

Angled rod with bullet on end manages the feed dogs dropping

They don't drop. I work and work on them but I can't get them to move. The bullet and the arm are removed, cleaned further, manipulated, put back together, still no dropping. The hair dryer comes out and with heat applied I finally get movement but not what I need to call this fixed. I give up for now and put things back together but now when I start it up it binds. What? After another hour of adjustments and trying to find exactly where it is catching I have to walk away. Maybe tomorrow I will have a flash of insight.

While this sewing machine was free, I got a package from Missouri Star Quilters that was not free but a pretty good deal. Their enticement emails come on a daily basis and this time I fell prey to one of their deals: Amy Butler designs in a fat quarter bundle and a 10" square stack:

Surprise! Even a free template

They are gorgeous! The 10" squares are repeated so there are 23 different designs for a total of 42 squares but that makes it better for quilting projects. What are my plans? Let's just look at them for now and dream.

Last weekend I picked up a quilt kit from someone in my neck of the woods that I saw advertised and just loved the colors:

Leaf fabric has gold outlines for a rich quality

No plans to make it soon but looks like a nice fall into winter project. Who wants to sew fall colors when it's barely spring? Come September when I'm back with the quilters up north I will love having this project to work on. If I can add more colors to the borders to make it larger, that will be a plus.

Update: I went back to the Universal sewing machine last night and finally tried six different hooks until I found one that didn't rub.

If I only had an arrow to show which part is the hook!

 Everything got adjusted again and now she's sewing fine. It's not as quiet as a sewing machine like this can be but I think with a little TLC on the table and someone might find a decent mechanical machine at a bargain price!

Universal JA-13, model KAT

Stitch sample shows some skipped stitches so maybe it needs a new needle but not too bad for first try

She also comes with a nice set of accessories and the original manual. In the bottom of the accessory manual I found the original bill of sale from 1969: $195 plus tax in Minneapolis. What a deal!

Catching Up

I don't think I have ever taken this long a break from writing a blog post so I apologize to my reading audience for being such a slug. Machines have been bought, repairs made, failed repairs, and so much more to report on so let's get started!

Pfaff 1222's have taken center stage since I have had three donated and then one more. My own Pfaff 1222 is a great machine that I lean on when it comes to quilting due to the IDT, the Pfaff built in walking foot system. Yet they have their weaknesses, too. Every one that I have worked on had thread wrapped around the hook, right in front of the enclosed gear and behind the actual hook. On one machine I just kept pulling more and more thread out until it was all cleaned out...and then I found even more! That particular machine finally came to rights and I gave it back to the donor since I could get it working again. When I brought it back, I got one more but this time all three of the remaining machines were toast. Several have a stitch dial that is not aligned correctly and I understand I can rebuild them. That is, in theory they can be rebuilt, but I have no clue how to do this. Take a working mechanism apart and then a broken one and see how it should go back together? That seems risky but it could be worth a try.

Note white dot on inner right: cannot be moved and shouldn't be in that position!

Getting a little too confident, I decide to replace the cracked camstack from a Pfaff 1209 that I had for several years. Checking out other blogs, videos, and repair manuals, I get started. It all come apart easily, only removing what is necessary to slip out the camstack. I note the exact rotation and put the new one in the exact same spot but it doesn't turn well. Along with binding I know is going to cause damage, it is not reading the cams either. There are adjustments, more adjustments, testing, more testing but it is not working right. Sigh. Here's a bit of good news: when flipping the machine over I heard a cascade of rattling. What just came loose? This handy portable model has a pull out storage compartment full of accessories including a set of feet with the back opening for the Pfaff IDT. This is glorious!

Pfaff 1209 with accessory drawer

The machine still doesn't work but what a discovery. Next up is a Pfaff 1222E that was brought in for repair. It has never seen any repair work and recently "froze up" but her husband worked some magic and got it working again. I opened the top and found a gray grease had been sprayed on everything. Everything. This is not good news but I clean off what I can, clean out the thread behind the hook, and now have it only moving in reverse. Now, I have three parts machines to check out their differences to see what exactly is going on but they are not helping much. Thank goodness the owner is busy in her garden now and doesn't require her machine back soon but I still feel the pressure to get it done. I want to be out in my garden, too!

In the meantime,I have continued to find sewing machines at thrift stores, garage sales, and other sites. Right now I have a Singer 2517C, Necchi 4795, a couple Elna 1010's, even an excellent Singer 221 that are all cleaned up and ready for sale. Yesterday was the annual Johnsville Garage Sale where it is nearly a festival with so many sales and even food trucks. We got some great deals, enjoyed gyros at our friends food truck, and even came home with a Kenmore 158-14301. That Kenmore just took a bit of cleaning, much oil, and her test stitches were very nice. This should end up as a great beginner's machine, heavy enough for making gear, and oh so reliable. I just had to buy it and it was extra nice when our car was nearby when it was found.

Kenmore 158-14301

That's all I can say for right now as it is Mother's Day and we have much to celebrate: my daughter Kelly had her baby on May 1 and is a new mother at age forty. All of us are ecstatic with their good health, positive attitude, and joy in being new parents. Such a blessing!

Evelyn Kay smiling in her sleep