I hang my head in shame as I confess: I thought I kept my sergers clean. I even buff the innards with tiny, soft cotton squares which I dice from scraps. I oil, I change blades regularly, I supply them with loads of new needles. Last night I was working on a Christmas project, edging some metallic loops for a tree garland, and my serger slowed down, balked, then the feed foot refused to move. I cleaned; no action, but perfect rolled edge stitch still formed on the stitch finger, so I knew the timing was intact. I changed the new) needle, put in a new (new) blade, checked the settings, double-checked thread paths, breathed on the machine just right, pulled out the manual, read through again, pondered the universe and my role therein, stood on my head, cleaned under the foot again, spoke softly to my serger. (Nice words, in case you are wondering.) Sat back and regarded my magic machine. Eyes lit on three screws which hold the face plate. Hmmmm, I sez to myself, I have never explored this strange new territory. Looks like it is overdue...(but only by about 15 years...gulp!) I am ashamed to say, the lint was so compacted at the rear of the foot, that I had to dig it out. It was in a tiny space, but packed so tight, it was felted. Note to absent-minded self: remove screws and clean under the feed dogs twice a year. Serger owners, Go Thou and Do Likewise, lest you waste gifting time as I did. Cea,
- posted
20 years ago