A couple of you have asked me how I got my sewing machine to Illinois. Well, I carried it every step of the way. My shoulder STILL is hurting. In the future, I will only do this if I have someone along with me who will do the actual carrying for me. Two men and a fat boy ought to do it. I could not even get it up or down from the overhead bins on the airplane. I had to look pleadingly at whatever poor man was closest to me for help.
I ended up not taking my recently tuned up Featherweight with me on the trip. I took it out for a test drive the day before the trip, thank Heavens, and discovered a few malfunctions. The foot pedal now only works intermittently, and the stitching is very uneven, with great long ugly stitches cropping up frequently amidst the normal sized ones. Can you imagine if I had toted that Featherweight 2000 miles to my classes and found that it was unusable? Yikes. I called the repair place (which I am having my issues with if you recall) and told the mechanic that I would be bringing the machine right back in to have these issues corrected. And it had better not cost me another $89. Maybe he can get his stupid advertising sticker off while he is at it.
Back to my journey. My husband found a big piece of protective wrapping out in the garage, which we wrapped around my back up travel machine, a Janome Gem. I squeezed it into the smallest carry on bag I had, which was not padded. By the way, this little Janome IS a gem. I love the way it sews and it is my new favorite machine to take to classes.
It all fit just perfectly. However, this little carry on bag does not have wheels. Mistake.
If you are going to be traveling with your sewing machine, make sure it is in a case that has wheels. My gosh, did my arms get tired schlepping this bag. Furthermore, when I tried to check in for my flight out of Chicago, my regular suitcase was eight pounds overweight and I had to take stuff out of it and squeeze it into my carry on, which made it even heavier! I put about six pounds of fabric into the side pockets, and threw away my travel iron at the air port. Yes I did.
This is how I typically get my Janome around. This case does have wheels, but I thought it was too big to carry on the plane. There is plenty of room in it for my sewing kit, small cutting/pressing mat and other supplies.
I did have a bit of an issue with my sewing machine carry on when leaving out of San Jose airport. The TSA officials made me take it out so they could rub it down with some sort of device to check for explosive residue. Seriously. All the while, the agent was chatting me up, "What are you going to do with it in Chicago?" "What are you making" "Oh, my sister in law is a quilter!"
UPDATE: I took my Featherweight back in to the mechanic, and he discovered that there is a short in the cord. So the foot pedal is ok, it is just the cord that needs replacing. He will re-examine the stitch length issue while he has the machine back in his shop. And you all would have been proud of me. After I recited my long litany of issues with the his tune up, I just said "And that sticker?....Can you remove it for me please?" He looked a bit startled, but agreed that he could do that. Point made. No reason to go on and on about it.
Good move checking out the machine before class. I have been in too many classes where quilters have brought machines they rarely use and end up having troubles and are unable to participate
Posted by: kate mcminn | October 06, 2010 at 04:15 AM
I am looking for a carry case with wheels but want it large enough for my machine to be in it's cover. Yours looks to be the right size. Our local Joanne's does not have one large enough. I hate to spend the big bucks on the Bernina ultra deluxe.
Posted by: Betty | October 06, 2010 at 05:35 AM
Good lessons, one and all! I'm so glad you test drove your Featherweight before departure time!!
Cheers that you stood your ground with the sewing machine repairman and also got him to remove the stupid sticker, REALLY!
Hugs!
Posted by: Barbara Anne | October 06, 2010 at 05:38 AM
I have the same rolling case for my two machines . . . and when I use if for my Featherweight there is even more room inside for everything else I need to carry . . .
but . . . I recently decided I might want a small rolling case . . . just for my Featherweight . . .
so I bought a rolling knitting case . . . it is made exactly the same as the other one . . . but is smaller . . . my featherweight fits perfectly inside . . .
the next time I fly I'm going to measure those bins at the airport to see if it will fit and be ok as a carry on . . .
the bad news is . . . the stupid thing was almost twice the expense as the big one !! . . . but luckily I had a coupon for 40% off . . .
not sure if it would work for your Janome . . . but you might measure what you need and check them out at the craft store . . . I got mine at JoAnns . . .
Posted by: Cheryl | October 06, 2010 at 07:06 AM
. . . I feel the same way about car dealerships putting their advertising sticker on the back of cars. (I think folks then ought to at least get a discount in the price of their car - for doing all that advertising for the dealer!).
After traveling last week & having to go through airports seven different times in 9 days - I can't imagine not having luggage with wheels. . . God bless whoever invented putting wheels on luggage!
xo, Bren
Posted by: Bren | October 06, 2010 at 07:18 AM
Good for you!
Posted by: Tamera | October 06, 2010 at 07:33 AM
Happy to hear you got your say with the repairman. I had a bit of an embarrasing moment with my repair shop a few months ago. It was.. well embarrasing.
http://textilehouse.blogspot.com/2010/07/well-color-me-embarrased.html
My sister has a little Janome and she loves it. It was in her car the other day when I was over for a visit and I could not believe how small it was!
I bought a rolling case last spring after I went to a retreat and saw all those quilters with all thier stuff tucked away in those rolling bags. I bought one that had a separate piece to put the cutting mat and the stash. I've used it once but it was the bomb! Definitely too big to ship but perfect to haul everything you want to a class. I have been thinking about getting something much smaller with wheels to carry the Featherweight when I fly because I cannot imagine EVER carrying it without wheels. You are my hero. LOL!
Posted by: Sandy (Strlady) | October 06, 2010 at 07:53 AM
Car dealership stickes can be reomved thith hot water on a rag. Hold it on the the sticker for a few minutes and it will peel off.
Posted by: kate mcminn | October 06, 2010 at 08:00 AM
My Featherweight had the same issue with the cord so I replaced it and it is great now. I actually keep my little machine at the Quilt shop. My daughter does not drive and takes the bus or trolley everywhere so the shop lets us keep the machine there for her classes. Also I remove stickers with hairspray and a little elbow power. I also hate stickers.
Anxious to see your finished quilts from Miss Rosie.
Posted by: Patt Anderson | October 06, 2010 at 08:21 AM
Did I tell you about my Featherweight repair guy in Fremont? $59 and he is great!!!
Posted by: Jean | October 06, 2010 at 08:48 AM
the issue with the long stitches actually might be it skipping stitches and that makes long ones between - it might be as simple as needing a new needle :)
Posted by: Karin | October 06, 2010 at 08:51 AM
iron...garbage can.......my kind of travel partner! I'm still laughing at this.
Posted by: Sharon | October 06, 2010 at 10:02 AM
Your Limo driver really dropped the ball by not accompanying you through the check in process.....UGH!!
I AM proud of you for mentioning the sticker!
Posted by: Thelma | October 06, 2010 at 11:03 AM
Thanks for sharing your story! Now I have to go check out those Janome Gems:)
Posted by: Sinta Renee | October 06, 2010 at 02:43 PM
I think it's great you can take your machine as carry on luggage - here in Aus we have very strict carry-on baggage limits (both my machines are too heavy) and when I flew interstate earlier this year I packed my older Bernina inside its hard case into my largest suitcase. Cost me $A40 excess baggage each way but worth it to have my own machine at the retreat. Think it's time to look into a lightweight machine.
Posted by: lynda | October 06, 2010 at 05:20 PM
What kind of rolling sewing machine case is that, and where did you get it?
I'm glad it all worked for you!
Posted by: Diane | October 06, 2010 at 06:20 PM
Hello from Down under
I follow your blog but dont have my own. Soon I hope. I noticed you are getting into a little stitching. Have you been to this blog?:
http://www.red-brolly.com/red-brolly/
Bronwyn Hayes has some very cute stitcheries up for a year. Check them out. Rather cat inclined - I think perhaps you would prefer dogs, but well worth a look.
Cheers
Linda
Taupo New Zealand
Posted by: Linda Bishop | October 06, 2010 at 06:41 PM
I took my Featherweight on an airplane when I went to Paducah a couple of years ago. And I carried it in the BLACK BOX!! Talk about heavy. The first thing I did when I got home was buy one of those knitting bags (like Cheryl mentioned) from JoAnn's. It is two sections, so if I were ever to fly again, I can take the bottom section (with wheels) and carry it on the plane.
Posted by: Jocelyn | October 07, 2010 at 06:53 AM
catching up on your doin's lately...wow, what wonderful fabrics you have added to your stash. And GOOD for you on the whole sticker issue - that would have really, really peaved me! Can't wait to see your progress with all those nicely stacked, pressed and delicous fabrics!
Posted by: sherry | October 11, 2010 at 08:15 PM