Featherweight blues
Now that we’ve been in the new campground a few days, I can safely say it’s definitely an improvement over the last one. Still a working campground (not a resort), nestled between the interstate and the train tracks, it’s not exactly quiet and the RV shakes every time the train whizzes past, the noise is “white noise” and not nearly as irritating as kids screaming or dogs barking. It’s also a lot more convenient to the grocery store, the nuclear plant, and we found a wonderful farmer’s market just a hop, skip and a jump away that’s open at one of the plantations on Saturdays.
On Saturday, we’re going to make a trip home to pick up our mail and have it forwarded again, since Jim hasn’t been turned loose yet from the project.
Yesterday I decided I was in the mood to do some sewing finally, but darned if I could get the little Featherweight to cooperate. No matter what I do the tension won’t hold… in other words it might start out fine but goes wonky mid seam, or it’s either too tight or too loose but won’t balance. I’ve wound a new bobbin, flossed the tension disks, cleaned under the bobbin tension finger… nada.
For someone who has sewn blissfully along for a number of years now, rarely having any tension issues and when I did, they were easily solved, I’m beginning to think perhaps this is a sign that my sewing days are numbered. I have had tension issues with every machine I own this year, and that’s a lot of machines! None of them want to cooperate.
Seems like forces at work to me! 
I am sorry about the tension problems. I don’t have any advice to share. You’ve checked all of the usual issues. Glad you found a better campground. I think people don’t understand how nerve-wracking noisy children can be to folks not accustomed to being around them all the time. Even in stores and restaurants, some parents allow their children to scream, cry, and run! I understand that babies and children get tired and cranky sometimes, but it seems that too many parents make no effort at all to calm their noisy children or correct their bad behavior.
Hope you get your tension issues resolved. You do such beautiful work!
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Anne
Anne C. recently posted…Sunny, Happy Skies! A Quilt for a Baby
Thanks Anne! If I can’t get it working, I’ll take it back home with me this weekend and bring a different machine back
.
Well, I certainly hope those tension issues don’t include Jim, LOL!
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Seriously, CJ, I know it’s no fun when you want to sew and the machine won’t cooperate. Guess you just have to cook. And Jim won’t give you any tension over a good meal. LOL
Cindy recently posted…This, That & The Rest of the Story
LOL what would I do without you Cindy?
Hi CJ, sorry your Featherweight is no cooperating. Have you checked the small spring in the bobbincase for any lint or thread? In fact any bit of thread anywhere in the bobbin area could cause wonky stitching. Hope your tension issues resolve!
Yep, sure have. “Flossed” it with a pin, took the stitch plate off and cleaned…. I’m 90% sure it’s an upper tension issue… I just can’t seem to resolve it.
WOW… are those green leaves on that tree? How would that be?
LOL yes and there are ripe oranges and lemons too… we’re in Louisiana
Just a thought as it looks like you have a spool of Aurifil on the machine and when I tried using Aurifil on my Featherweight the tension/stitches were bad. Switched back to Gutermann or Star and it sure made a difference in the stitches. My thinking is the older machines were made when the heavier threads were what was used. I love the Aurifil for my Bernina but not on my Featherweight!
Donna
I don’t think that’s it Donna, as I was using Aurifil on it before it went wonky, and I use Presencia (60wt) on my other Featherweight just fine. That’s all I have with me anyway, Aurifil and Presencia, and I tried them both with the same result. I think there is something wrong with the upper tension unit and I’ll probably have to replace it.
Hmm, I’m thinking Donna might be on to something. I had a Viking that was very particular about thread and hated one brand in particular. The tension was always wonky when I used it, but trade to another brand and voila, perfect stitches. Hope that’s the answer here.
And I’m saying all this out of selfishness–if you give up sewing, I’ll lose one of my inspirations!! (Hey, if guilt works, I’ll go with it!)
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Chris at the Resort recently posted…January’s End
LOL I haven’t been very inspiring lately Chris! But thanks for the vote of confidence!
sorry the tension isn’t working on the featherweight – I have a hard time figuring out tension issues, hope you get it working. like you say you can trade it out for another. glad you like this campground better. I agree with your other writters, dogs and kids can get tiresome when you do not have them yourself. Totally understand that kids can be naughty and cranky but parents do not discipline kids like they used to and let them run wild now – the kids are the bosses and parents seem to be terrified to discipline.
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Karen recently posted…Spring has Sprung
I don’t normally mind the kids or the dogs too much, but when Jim’s on back shift trying to sleep, it tends to make me a bit crazy.
But yes, if I had my druthers I’m happy to not listen to either
. I’m getting crotchety in my old age 
No more sewing? Say it ain’t so! Sorry about your featherweight woes but you are too talented to stop sewing.
Have some wine. Sleep in. Cook a great b’fast and take a walk.
Not that is am bossy. .. ….
Kim
…not that I am bossy. I just can’t write well.
Unknown quilter from MO
Well that’s okay Kim, I can’t write, walk or talk well!
I’m just a little torn on if we end up full-time in the RV again… store all my sewing gear for 4, maybe even 8 or 10 years? Better off just selling it, but then I doubt I’d be able to afford to replace it. Decisions are so tough sometimes!