The Pfaff 2140 has been Judy’s sewing companion for the past fifteen years. It has traveled the length and bredth of our country. In June we scheduled a tune-up service for the old boy, and Judy did without sewing for a month. When Pfaff came back from servicing it was so happy to see Judy that he ran his motor full tilt for a couple seconds each time she turned him on. We sent him back for the quivalent of sewing machine psyco-therapy where he got a brain transplant. This time when he came home he not only was excited to see her, he began popping up his pressure foot whenever Judy stopped a seam. This didn’t please Judy at all. In fact she reacts negatively to things left in the up position.

Recently we began the search for a new sewing machine. A replacement 2140 seemed out of the question, there are no parts available. The latest super machines were about the cost of a new car. She even thought of going back to a simple zig-zag machine like the vintage Pfaff she had long ago. We even found one on Craig’s list in Wenatchee for $375.

Bravely we explored Juki, Janome, Brother and Baby Lock brands of sewing machines. We finally settled on a Brother/Baby Lock model that only cost as much as a bicycle, and did everything Judy wished to do. We were shown the wonderful features again and again at different shops by different sales/instructor personnel. We finally pulled the trigger on Saturday and came home with a box as big as an Ottoman. We almost had to unpack it outside.

Renee came along to help and once set up we were to sew a simple seam with straight stitches. First I volunteered to wind a bobbin and that wasn’t too hard.

Then we had to master the automatic threading feature. Now remember, Judy and I watched this demonstrated probably 40 times, over the past week. By the numbers now: 1. over, 2. under, 3. around the hook, 4. through the slot, 5. down to the needle, 6. hook it, 7. pull around the trimmer and 8. press the self threader lever down quickly. Each of us read the instructions, each of us tried the routine. We watched the how-to video, over and over.

What I discovered was this routine includes a slight of hand trick. That is; while cleverly directing your attention over here at the needle; they would rotate the needle to it’s highest postion using the hand wheel on the right end of the machine. We finally found a reference to lining up the mark on the wheel with the index in the detailed instructions. When we did this it worked every time. Imagine the joy in Muddville as we each successfully threaded the needle again and again! Whoeee!