I'd been having problems with my sewing machine after working it hard for the last three weeks. I did take it apart and thought I'd fixed it, but gradually... it started to do some weird things again.
One of my friends in our group of four tai chi mask making women that I belong to had a sewing machine repairman come to her house to fix her machine a couple of weeks ago. Myra had gotten his name from another sewing buddy.
I was figuring on giving him a call when I was done making masks, but then decided to call him earlier than planned. Myra had told me that he was very busy, but since her machine was old and had no computer components on it, he could make time to come out to fix her machine.
I was figuring on Rick coming to our house a few weeks from now, but it turned out that he lived close by so he could stop over early the next day.
Rick said he had 2,000 clients and was now servicing 30 machines a week with the mask making fervor in full swing.
Then I was worried about having someone coming into our house with Coronavirus lurking all about. I felt bad mentioning this to Rick on the phone, but he said he was even happier to do the work outside on the patio or carport. He said he would be wearing an N95 mask as well. And he did.
OK... there was a lot more to tuning the machine than I ever imagined. He took off the entire back of the machine and began oiling, tweaking and air blowing here and there. He said I was using very old, bad thread. He said I needed to change my needles more often. Sigh... I know. I told him I couldn't buy newer thread right now. He understood. He showed me where I should oil the machine and how to maintain it. Do you know I paid twice as much as he charged when I brought it to the sewing machine shop about a year or so ago?
Well... I'm back in operation again with a few more people to make masks for.
I did ask Rick if he'd like me to put his name and number on my blog for some free advertising. He declined saying he can hardly keep up with the orders he has already.
Oh yes. I shall be having him service my machine from now on.
One of my friends in our group of four tai chi mask making women that I belong to had a sewing machine repairman come to her house to fix her machine a couple of weeks ago. Myra had gotten his name from another sewing buddy.
I was figuring on giving him a call when I was done making masks, but then decided to call him earlier than planned. Myra had told me that he was very busy, but since her machine was old and had no computer components on it, he could make time to come out to fix her machine.
I was figuring on Rick coming to our house a few weeks from now, but it turned out that he lived close by so he could stop over early the next day.
Rick said he had 2,000 clients and was now servicing 30 machines a week with the mask making fervor in full swing.
Then I was worried about having someone coming into our house with Coronavirus lurking all about. I felt bad mentioning this to Rick on the phone, but he said he was even happier to do the work outside on the patio or carport. He said he would be wearing an N95 mask as well. And he did.
OK... there was a lot more to tuning the machine than I ever imagined. He took off the entire back of the machine and began oiling, tweaking and air blowing here and there. He said I was using very old, bad thread. He said I needed to change my needles more often. Sigh... I know. I told him I couldn't buy newer thread right now. He understood. He showed me where I should oil the machine and how to maintain it. Do you know I paid twice as much as he charged when I brought it to the sewing machine shop about a year or so ago?
Well... I'm back in operation again with a few more people to make masks for.
I did ask Rick if he'd like me to put his name and number on my blog for some free advertising. He declined saying he can hardly keep up with the orders he has already.
Oh yes. I shall be having him service my machine from now on.
That wouldn't be allowed here right now -- essential services only. The current state of affairs is being extended to May 6.
ReplyDeleteCould this be considered an essential service? Kay's work is for a humane cause... well, that's wonderful this man is making house calls. Amazing all the sewing machines needing repaired, it's almost like WWII again. It sure is wonderful what you're doing, Kay!
ReplyDeleteGood that he could work outside.
ReplyDeletemy machine needs servicing too but I decided to take a break from making masks as we are pretty well covered in Utah with our church asking us to make five million...there will be a surplus and more women involved that weren't earlier...
ReplyDeleteGlad your sewing machine works smoothly again :)
ReplyDeletePopular guy, great that he could work outside. Invaluable service.
ReplyDeleteGood connections with friends gives you some good tips
ReplyDeleteWhat great service. I dropped my maintenance agreement on my sewing machine two years ago because it was costing over a $100 a year whether I used it of not. So I haven't had my machine serviced, as I hadn't been using it that much. My machine is computerized, so I will have to go the expensive route at the shop.
ReplyDeleteThat was an ill wind that blew both of you some good. I hadn't thought about all the face mask making what it might do to sewing machines. For now, he has job security and seems perfect for the job.
ReplyDeleteThe man who serviced my sewing machine for years and years just retired last summer. I have gone through my dentist and my primary care doctor retiring recently, but Smitty was the hardest!
ReplyDeleteOh, I would love to have him come and do maintenance on my machine later. It looks like I have the same machine as you - Bernina 830? If he is okay with you send me his info, can you please do so? After I cleaned out the bobbin and lower part of the machine, it began clacking. So I opened it up again, used a cleaned up old mascara brush to really get the lint and dust off, put it back, and it stopped clacking. Hurray! Thanks for this timely post!
ReplyDeleteHe really took your baby down to its bones.
ReplyDeleteOh wow, so glad you could get your machine serviced quickly. It is sometimes hard to find reliable quick service, I'm happy that you did.
ReplyDeleteI am glad to learn there are such kind people everywhere. You are one of them, Kay, and I'm so glad to know your machine is up and running again. :-)
ReplyDeleteI used to have an old Singer portable but I don't sew so I used it to mend. I sold it when I moved into the apartment.
ReplyDeleteNever thought that sewing machine repairmen would be in demand. Cool. Glad there are still people around that repair machines!!
ReplyDeleteHe's a keeper. So glad you found him.
ReplyDeleteLucky you with Rick. My machine isn’t working and all the repair shops that used to be around closed several years ago. I should check to see where I can take it now.
ReplyDeletePleased it's working again :)
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan