Abusive? Me?

My Janome New Home is in the shop for repairs. It was really a sad sad happening. I was super zigzagging away through something that I knew was way too thick for that machine, but I did it anyway...it's a trooper. And then nothing. Push the peddle. Nothing. Hmmm. I broke it. I'm sorry Jan. I don't seem to be able to cultivate appropriate relationships.

So, I took her into the shop for repair and Bob says "You are too rough on this machine. You batter it. This is a delicate instrument. A beautiful machine." Good heavens, yes, I know Bob. I'm abusive. I admit it. I'm not trying to hide that. It's perfectly evident. Can you fix her or have I killed her?

"This machine is not meant for that sort of thing." Oh, please stop scolding me. I know this. I've had enough trouble these past few weeks. You aren't my father nor are you Jan's dad. You are her "physician", so stop judging and get to diagnosing and repairing. I am still waiting for the sewing machine police to come to my front door and arrest me and book me on abuse charges.

This went on for countless minutes. The shaking of the head. The tisk-tisking. Onandonandonandon. I was rescued by his lovely co-worker (I forget her name but I should name a machine after her) who said "Have you ever thought of using an older model machine? Something all metal and sturdy, since you only use a zigzag and a straight stitch". Why, yes lovely co-worker...I used to use my Mom's old machine but it broke and I got this new fangled thing that is apparently a delicate flower, too precious to be man-handled by the likes of me. I am very interested in a sturdy mule-like machine. Do you have any?

She guided me by the elbow around the corner (they keep the elderly machines in a side hallway away from all the pretty young things) and my heart almost stopped. Two rows filled with refurbished, rewired geriatric puke green sewing machines. It was like a dream. Beautiful.
I found Jan's great grannie...an old Janome New Home. It's the best. It matches my favorite mug. There's no "up-down" feature for the needle, but this baby is solid. After a few minor incidents (confused threading, bobbin insertion issues and a misjudgment of needle position...through my index finger was not the correct position), we have settled into one another. Bob said he would call me when Jan had "recuperated" after her "surgery" and I have a strange feeling he's going to make me sign some sort of technical release form. Sewing probation.

However...in tribute to the supposedly frail young Jan, I present to you her workhorse heart. All the tough stuff was done on her before she collapsed. I just finished up the embroidery and design amendments over the past few days, though.

Architectural Study V (measures about 10x15 inches including the scraggledies on that falling bundle). I decided to remake some of the Architectural Study pieces. Yes, they were just ideas posing as work (very trendy indeed) but when I got ready to mount them the action was missing and I need that movement. I added the seed/circular elements and the falling bundle. I think I'm going to add some skinny stick-ish rectangular elements but I'm just going to wait a few days and see if it's me simply requiring MORE or the piece requiring a better compositional resolution.

Bundle Study 144 (about 5x6inches). I'm trying to simplify them, if that's possible. De-clutter the bundles...de-clutter the life.

Bundle Study 145 is actually a bit larger than usual, measuring about 6x10 inches.

And of course, I always appreciate when I am credited with being an inspiration of some sort... Jan Jackson (no relation to my sewing machine) has created a fun sonji-ish piece with the fabric she purchased from me. Thanks for sharing Jan. Your other work is totally amazing, too. And, to my Jan...I never meant to hurt you. I won't do it again. Only three layer sandwiches of the traditional sort(ish) for you from now on.