Did you know you are supposed to change the needle on your sewing machine more than once a decade? ME EITHER!!!
The last time I made an embellished onesie it seemed like the needles was tearing little holes in the fabric. It was almost like it was dull or too big. I've had it in the back of my head ever since then that I wanted to go and get a smaller needle for such projects, but I kept putting it off because I didn't want to deal with trying to find one for such an old machine and I didn't want to pay $20 (because that's how much I assumed they would be without any basis in fact) and I felt overwhelmed with trying to figure out how to actually do the the switch once I obtained the needle. Plus I just kept forgetting to go to Handcock's.
I finally worked up the nerve today.
As I was driving away from the house I realized that I forgot to write down the name and model number of the sewing machine, so with a sinking feeling I knew I was only going to be able to look and get a feel for what kind of choices there were out there and I would have to go back later. When I got to the store I got the shock of my life.
There was only one choice- standard size. They were cheap- $2.49 for FOUR needles. And it said clearly on the front "for lightweight fabric". What?!?! How in the world did I blow this so out of proportion?
I took my selections up to the lady and started asking her my questions. My first one was to confirm that the needles do in fact go dull. The lady actually laughed at me. She said of course they go dull, she replaces her's every couple of weeks. Again, I say What?!?! I must be sewing with a spoon by now. No wonder I had holes. And then I asked if it would be tricky to replace the existing needle. She said all you did was screw it in. Are you kidding? That's it? And she was right. There is a little screw in the side of the needle holder and you just unscrew it, slide the old one out and the new one in, then tighten the screw. Ta da! I couldn't believe how dramatic I had made the whole thing in my head.
I'm now equipt with the knowledge of how to replace a possibly too dull sewing machine needle. So have no fear, I will never sew with a spoon again.
4 comments:
So glad all your woes are solved :)
thank you for the tips, I am happy you solve your problem, It is good to maintain the sewing machine time to time.
janome sewing machines
Well that is good to know! Now I just need to figure out how to thread the needle and then maybe I will be on my way to learning to sew. I want to sew so bad but I have not the slightest clue where or how to begin!
Wow. It has been a long time since you've changed a needle. I can recall sewing projects where I've changed a needle 3 times . . . and one time when I broke a needle and the tip broke off and shot me in the cheek under my eye.
Post a Comment