Bernina 1030 repaired and revitalised

Sadly my treasured Bernina 1030 sewing machine blew its electrics a few weeks ago, and it smelled and sounded expensive. After ringing round a number of repair centres I found one who knew what the fault was likely to be and what might have caused it. They couldn't do the repair for a few weeks so I hauled my old Bernina 730 out and refreshed my love for that whilst the 'newbie' sulked in the corner awaiting repair. 

The 730 is a lovely machine, but I miss the knee lift and needle-up features of the 1030 and that wonderful automatic basting stitch. I didn't realise how much I used and appreciated them until they weren't there! 

I bought the 730 in 1985, secondhand, and it was expensive but has served me incredibly well. It's taken on everything from leather, tents and motorbike covers to silk chiffon, stretch lace and slinky satins with regular cleaning and oiling and only (to my shame), a couple of services. I rather regret the lack of services as the buttonhole mechanism jammed and something has snapped off causing the auto buttonhole mechanism to stop working. It still works great buttonholes, I just need to manually swing the lever through the required sequence of positions.

A significant problem with all sewing machines as I get older is their lighting when's working at night , especially on dark fabrics. My son has rigged up led strips on the underside of the top arm for me and that is wonderful. The downside is the sticky tapes etc needed to attach it all. 

The 1030 went to be repaired today and my lovely husband took it for as I was at work. It's now sitting waiting for me to try out. Too tired tonight, but my fingers are itching to start with it tomorrow. Apparently it is quieter, smoother and fit for another 20 years. Surprisingly the only thing they couldn't fix was the cord reel that used to pull tthe lead inside the machine for storage. Whilst trying to find out what had happened when it went 'bang' and started smoking we innocently undid the base plate, which did something to the spring inside the reel, and it stopped 'reeling in' the cord. Apparently it can't be repaired but needs fully replacing, at quite considerable cost. So be warned, never undo the base plate on a Bernina with an auto-reel cord! 

If anyone has one from a scrapped machine do get in touch and let me know, as once I have recovered from the cost of this repair I would like to replace the cord reel. 

Return to hand-spinning

Although I teach in knitted textiles, this is the first year I have taught spinning as part of a module, so in a fit or inspiration I asked my son to climb into the loft and retrieve my Ashford wheel that had been up there for 15-20 years. 

I used to have two wheels, and spin on both at one time. However a succession of small children  couldn't resist fiddling with them, and. I didn't have time to use them. First of all one went in the loft, and then I reluctantly sold the other as there wasn't space for it and I couldn't bear to see it being damaged. Now child-free, but sadder for it, I have resurrected the Ashford.

A year or two ago I had prematurely acquired a fleece thinking my time had come, only to myself busier than ever.  By the time I got there, apart from the smallish amount I had had time to scour I had to throw the rest away as it was infested with moth. So I am starting to spin with the small amount of Kent wool mixed with Merino tops I had bought in for felting. It's not a problem as I need LOTS of practise, so odd colour mixes rule at the moment. 

Of course the wheel seems to have shed bits during its vacation in the loft, and a refurb was necessary. I have purchased a flexible drive belt because the one on the Kiwi wheel we have at University does seem to give a nice drive to the wheel, plus the old one is a little brittle. The tension knob and spring has disappeared, so they needed replacing, and I wanted a drop in to make the bobbin easier to swap. Finally one of the Lazy Kate spikes and a bobbin have gone walkabout, so new ones of those were required. 

This photo is of the first hand-spun yarn I have made for years, so apologies for its unevenness and it's mish mash of colours. I just needed to celebrate my enjoyment.