Issue 43 March 2021
Hello Everyone and Welcome March!
We hope everyone had a chance to take in some of the sunshine last week after all that snow the week before. It was nice to hear the birds chirping - let's hope that is a sign that Spring will soon be here. I think the warmer weather and sunnier days ahead will help boost spirits. It's been a year now and we have become used to our new normal. We are all coping with it the best we can, some days better than others but making it through all the same. We see a lot of you weekly sometimes monthly and you share your ups and downs with us as our shop is more than just a place to get quilting supplies, it's in itself its own little community where friends gather and share their quilting and their lives. Let's face it, this has been one crazy, scary year. We have seen tears, we have heard your worries, your struggles and you have heard ours. It hasn't been all bad, we have still managed to laugh, joke and take a few minutes out of the day to enjoy each other's company. I think it's important that we all need to continue to be there for each other, we need to stay supportive and we need to keep encouraging each other to keep going. Our goal at the shop is to help everyone stay inspired even on those difficult days, to keep your hands and your minds busy with making and creating Quilts. I think the creativity of Quilting has helped see many of us through the uncertainty, it's helped us find a sense of peace and has kept us connected through our love of fabric and making. What a wonderful thing Quilting is, sewing together colorful pieces, creating lasting friendships and getting us through the tough times - thank you Quilting!
May all your stitches be sweet,
Joan
A Machine Minute
General Maintenance and proper technique are critical for optimum performance of your sewing machine and project outcome.
A wound bobbin is good, an uptake lever wound with thread, not so good...
We have been pulling a lot of thread off of uptake lever assemblies of late. When thread is not fully inserted in and through the uptake lever it can fall back and become wrapped around the lever mechanism. This issue tends to show itself with machines that have a small check spring on the uptake lever. If the thread fails to pass by the check spring it will fall back to the bottom of the uptake lever and when you begin to sew the thread is wrapped around the posts that connect the uptake lever to the upper shaft.
While usually not a major issue, we have seen several machines with so much thread wrapped around the posts the the movement of the lever is restricted and it becomes bent. The thread wrapped around the mechanism also absorbs any lubricant and can leave the parts open to premature wear.
Take your time when you thread your machine. Make sure the presser foot lever is in the up position and slow down to be sure you properly thread your machine. We perform this routine so many times it becomes automatic but automatic does not always translate to accurate.
1585 South Calumet Road Chesterton, IN 46304
219.250.5942
www.sweetstitchesquiltshop.com
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