Frustration Mounts

My frustration with my sewing machine is mounting to the point where I am on the verge of purchasing a new machine.
This is my machine and is about 20 years old.  Up until the last couple of years it has been brilliant.

Then, every now and again this started happening.  Looping on the back!!  Grrrrrr!@@##$$!!!

Last time the repair man looked at it, of course, it worked brilliantly for him and he suggested I was threading it incorrectly.  What was I doing any differently?
It usually happens after doing quite a bit of sewing.  Sometimes an oiling and a ‘little rest’ helps it and it will just start up sewing properly again. 
Then today……after re-threading the bobbin a couple of times, it decided to sew again.  Go figure.  It must be the way I am holding my tongue or is it that there is some fine tuning to be done on my bobbin threading on this machine??  Will have to ask the mechanic about it next time I get it serviced.
Does anyone else have this problem with a Pfaff??
After I got the machine revved up I was determined to repeat the japanese block using a cream homespun fabric.
As I am definitely not a  ‘piecer’, imagine my delight when it nearly came out at the correct size of 9”!!       Happy Dance

No – it is not perfect, but it is mine.    At least the cream fabric didn’t warp and stretch but it is annoying me with it’s fraying.  Maybe I won’t be doing too many pieced blocks for my Japanese quilt after all.      

On another note – our SIL bought some sand crabs on the way home from Brisbane and we enjoyed crab sandwiches (on fresh bread) for dinner on Sunday night.  Yummo!!
It is a wicked day here today – and I don’t mean the new speak wicked – I mean wicked as in awful.
South westerly winds bringing the chill factor down low and overcast periods.  Maybe sleet?  I don’t know because I am not going outside for love nor money to find out.  My poor hubby is working out in it, so will ask him when he gets home.  In the meantime, I am going back to the sewing room to hibernate!!

Favourite Notions

I can thoroughly recommend the tape for your embroidery threads. Are you sick of them unravelling out of control? This tape really works and there is ever so much on the reel - I don't have that many embroidery threads - but they are always on the wish list. You only need enough to go around the reel and an inch of overlap. Bought both the items at the local quilt store and the tape cost just under $10 AUD.
The clover white pen is terrific for marking any of your dark fabrics. I almost took mine back to the store thinking it was faulty, and lucky I am a whinger sometimes, because I whinged about it to a fellow quilter and she quickly informed me that it takes a while for the white mark to appear. Lesson learnt : Whinging can save you some embarrasment

It goes on clear then changes to a nice fine white line and this line is easily removed with a quick iron over. Do not, I repeat, do not have the iron too hot as you may melt any wadding underneath (and anyway only a low heat is required). I know, cause I've done it! It sure leaves a flat spot on the quilt! It is great for marking your applique pieces for needleturn applique also.