The Saga of the Sewing Machine

Purchasing a Sewing Machine in the Times of Covid19

A long time ago, when I was much younger, I tried my hand at sewing. I wasn’t very good at it and I got discouraged. Now that I’m a bit older and have learned much more about the structure and construction of accessories and clothing, I’m ready to try learning this skill again. This post is about the saga of the sewing machine, and trying to buy a machine when supply chains have been disrupted due to Covid.

I should have known to expect something like this after we had tried to purchase a new washer and dryer at the height of the pandemic. (That’s a different story for a different day). But for some reason, I guess I thought sewing would be exempt from these issues.

Making the Decision to Buy a Sewing Machine

I’m pretty heavily invested in knitting. I’ve got all the tools and enough yarn to keep me happy for at least a year (maybe). But I like to dabble in other creative hobbies and sewing has always been something I’ve wanted to learn how to do.

Before I jumped in with two feet though, I figured I’d try my hand at hand sewing. If I was trying to save my shoulders, this was the wrong move. However, it did teach me a lot about stitches, how they are constructed. It also taught me how much patience this new hobby will require. I successfully made two sleep sacks for my six month old son Fynn.

I was ready to get a sewing machine!

But I wasn’t about to buy a new one yet

When my husband’s family heard that I was getting into sewing, they offered me Grandma’s old machine. As far as they knew it was a great machine and was still in working order. I talked with my husband about whether we could ask Grandma for the machine. After a family discussion or two, we decided to take it.

The saga of the sewing machine was beginning. It would take about two weeks to get the machine though, with not wanting to expose Grandma to any Covid and it just so happened that some family would be coming through town and could drop it off…while we were out of town.

Not having seen this machine, I started looking at other newer machines. I got so excited at Joann Fabrics, and I noticed that the stock of the machines in my price range were starting to dwindle. So I purchased a floor model with 10 days to return it.

We knew that Grandma’s Sewing machine would make it to our house during our vacation, but when we returned we’d be outside of my return window. Together my husband and I decided to give Grandma’s machine a chance and I returned the one that I had purchased.

The Vintage Machine

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The sewing machine was in our garage when we got home from vacation (that drive was a saga in itself). We got so excited that we cleaned it off and brought it inside that night. When I plugged it in, it sounded great! That is, until I looked down and noticed that the needle wasn’t moving. So we started to clean and oil the parts. That’s when we realized the belt was broken.

The next day we got a simple replacement belt. The machine whirled to life. The tension was still a bit off and I was a little worried about it but it was working so – great! Until it wasn’t. Later that day, I broke the new replacement belt.

My husband started back to work is swinging shifts. He has the measurements and was going to order me a new belt but hadn’t had the chance. Midway through the saga of the sewing machine is when I decided to make a purchase.

Well why not be patient and fix this sewing machine?

You’re probably looking at this thinking, that’s an awesome old machine. Why not be patient and fix it? It is an awesome machine and I’ve tried. I just don’t have the bandwidth to be working on keeping this machine in working order. There are a few things that I need help with too – like locking your stitches in place. I can’t get this machine to go backwards even if I spin the balance wheel in reverse. I think this is actually how I broke the replacement belt.

The truth is, that with being stuck in the house more with quarantine, having a new baby, a husband who’s a nurse…there’s a lot going on right now and this can go a long way toward protecting my mental health.

The Saga of the Sewing Machine is Coming to an End

I’m not trying to count my chickens before they hatch. I went online and started researching my options a second time. To my surprise, for the same price as the floor model I had first purchased, I could get the next model for about the same price! I ordered a Husqvarna Viking Jade 20 Sewing Machine. The only downside is that it will take about 10 business days to come in…I’m hoping it won’t take longer. I’ve already been waiting to really start sewing for about 3 weeks now.