There is something about an old sewing machine that appeals to me, especially if I’m looking at one that is in near perfect condition. If I had to guess, I think some people will buy a sewing machine and they never use it. For whatever reason, it gets put in a closet, or in the garage, and there it sits for decades.
We had a customer bring in a Canadian Singer Featherweight 221J this week. It looked so amazing, I thought I’d share a few pictures with you.
Last month, on the 9th of August, I traveled out to Las Vegas, Nevada for Janome’s City Limits Tour. At this event I was able to preview their new 6700P model, and learn what makes it special. It’s quite impressive, and I would have liked to share the details with you sooner, but dealers were advised to wait until the official launch date (today) to give out info or post pictures of this machine online.
For owners of Janome’s 6500 and 6600 sewing machines that have loved their machines and didn’t think they’d ever want to purchase another one, the 6700 will make you want to upgrade.
Many years ago Janome introduced its Jem Series sewing machines. First came the Jem 639, then we saw the Jem 659, the 661- Gold, Gold 1, 2, and 3, the Jem Silver, and the Jem Gold+, They were all just 12 pounds, and each was mechanical (non-computerized) sewing machine.
Posted in Janome
Nearly two months ago I attended a sewing machine convention in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Janome was introducing new model sewing machines and other sewing/embroidery related products. My interest fell to two of the newest additions, the M7100 and the M7050. Their big sister, the M7200 boasts 200 stitches plus an alphabet, while the M7100 is equipped with 100, and the M7050 is equipped with 50 stitches. Even though they have fewer stitches than the M7200, both models are also less expensive for our customers, and what they have to offer is very exciting.
It’s been way too long … but Janome finally has straight stitch plates available for their DC2015 and NQM2016 sewing machines!
Many months ago we contacted Janome because we had customers that needed these straight stitch plates, and we were told that they had a part number, but that the number wasn’t in the ordering system yet. That being the case, we couldn’t even pre-order the plates. Last week we placed another Janome parts order, and when we checked to see if the plates were finally in the system, they were!
Based on a true story:
Once upon a time there was an old sewing machine. It had been sewing for decades, and started to have problems, so its owner (we’ll call her Jenny) decided to send the machine to Temecula Valley Sewing Center for service. Jenny lived in the middle of nowhere, and the closest place to ship her machine was a UPS Store about 30 miles from her house. Jenny brought the machine to that UPS Store, and trusted them to pack it appropriately. Jenny even prepaid the return shipping in advance, because she wanted to be able to get back to sewing as quickly as possble.
Posted in General
Last weekend, I attended a trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada, where I was able to see the new Janome M7200 sewing machine, up close and personal. This dandy regular size and regular weight machine sports purple and lavender graphics, a top loading full rotary hook bobbin, 200 built-in stitches, including alphabet, manual thread tension control, built-in one-hand needle threader, an automatic thread cutter, and more. The Janome M7200 even has memory, making it possible to combine decorative stitches with lettering. We should have the M7200 in the store sometime next week.
Another plastic framed sewing machine came in for service today. We’re not going to share what brand it is, but you should know that this is the kind of poor quality you can expect if you purchase a really cheap sewing machine. The trouble is, I’ve seen customers bring in plastic framed sewing machines that they paid a lot of money for.
Be assured, Temecula Valley Sewing Center has never, and will never sell sewing machines that do not have metal frames.
Posted in General
Have you ever had one of those days when nothing seems to go according to plan? Of course that would be most days, right?
Today was going to be the day for free motion quilting that project you had promised as a gift, and it’s due next week. You head into your sewing room, fill your bobbins, thread your machine and begin quilting. Oh my; you didn’t expect the looping or the eyelashes on the back of the quilt, and it looks just awful. You remove all of the stitches and this time, you use a practice piece. Unfortunately, you encounter the same results. Headache!
Posted in Quilting
For many years, Aileen has taught a beginning sewing series as a 10-week project. For all those years, the same project was presented. The series was based on the pattern/booklet Pajama Party from Taylor Made Designs. In January 2016, we learned that the pattern maker had discontinued the amazing pajama set pattern. Unfortunately, due to copyright issues, we could no longer teach the class using that pattern.
What to do, what to do? In scouring the internet and other pattern purchasing possibilities, Aileen thought she would use a new pajama pant pattern from Taylor Made Designs, and add a robe, also from Taylor Made Designs, so that’s how we thought the new Beginning Sewing series would proceed.
Posted in Sewing
