Another day, another email telling an owner that their computerized machine is unfixable*. 😢
*read: could _maybe_ be fixed if the replacement parts were available but they're not and even if they were then those plus our time would cost WAY more than the machine is worth so we recommend euthanasia.
A Necchi 535FA may be one of our fave machines right now.
Just an unassuming, under-rated, rock solid, all around good #SewingMachine.
It's such a joy when one comes into the shop, especially when someone's saved it from certain death.
#PDX!
Did you know we're smack in the middle of Portland Textile Month? It's true!
There's a lot of great looking events lined up, many of them FREE.
Check it out: https://www.textilex.org
Pleased to see that #SewingMachines have the highest success rate (70%) in the 2026 Open Repair dataset from @restartproject!
Fixing & maintaining your #SewingMachine not only keeps the machine itself out of the landfill, it also enables so many other mending and creation opportunities!
Exercise your #RightToRepair. Reject #FastFashion. Create your own look while helping the planet.
https://openrepair.org/announcements/over-half-a-million-records-of-open-data-on-repair/
If a #SewingMachine has "Heavy Duty" in the name, know that this is a **marketing term**.
There is no standard definition for the term.
There is no guarantee that the machine is actually any better than any other.
Figure out what kind of sewing you'll do, then use that for a worst-case scenario (eg 8 layers medium-weight denim) and use it as a test for the machine.
Believe performance, not marketing.
Today in Some People Are Just Mean And Should Stop That:
Rather than helping a distressed individual on a subreddit, someone decided it'd be better to slag 'em off for the inexpensive machine they had.
Machine shaming: not even once! Not everyone has access or the resources to get a "good" #SewingMachine, and that's not their fault!
The best sewing machine is the one you have, not the one you wish you had. You can mend and make amazing things with an inexpensive machine.
This is NOT cute! Sewing machines only do this when seriously distressed!
We're seriously considering creating a "Cleaning fee" to apply to the machines that are inexcusably filthy on the outside. This morning's machine took an extra half an hour to make presentable.
You can clean the outside of your #SewingMachine, folks. You're not going to hurt it and you'll probably enjoy using it more when it's cute and clean.
Tip from a student in one of our classes:
They found rotary cutter blades at Harbor Freight for, like, $1 each.
Go to the carpet cutting section. If you ask the staff, they may not know what you're talking about.
We haven't confirmed this at our local HF yet, but absolutely will be looking next time we're there.
SE #Portland Sewists! There's a new option for getting your patterns printed!
KPPattern is a Milwaukie local who now offers a pattern printing service. $4 per A0-sized page, which is less than we've been paying at FedEx/Kinkos.
Send them your pattern, then pick it up at Sewcial Studies in downtown Milwaukie.
It's great to have a small, local option for this sort of thing. Please support them & tell your friends.
Doing the final reassembly on a lovely old Kenmore 158.13570 when **POP** a belt broke.
😭
Better it happened to us than after it goes home with its owner but still.
We were almost done with it.
dammitall
Hey there, #Portland #Sewing friendos!
There are still _three_ seats left for Sunday's "Sewing Machine Mysteries & Maintenance for Everyone" class at Bolt!
Bring a coffee & your machine & spend the morning with us learning all those things that other sewing books, patterns, and classes assume you already know.
"Right to Repair laws are what they sound like. In simple terms, they require technology manufacturers to make their products repairable and sell replacement parts. Oregon set the national tone in repair legislation, adopting the country’s most stringent policies in 2025."
https://www.pdxmonthly.com/news-and-city-life/2026/07/right-to-repair-fix-it
Baby's first pricing change!
Since we opened for business, we've learned that modern machines take a lot longer for us to service. Because of that, we've added a new service pricing tier. Learn all about it…
https://evergreensewing.com/2026/07/18/new-pricing-for-servicing-modern-machines/
HULLO, LOVLIES!
For those lucky enough to have easy access to such things, you should know that Series 12 of Great British #Sewing Bee starts on July 14th! Which may be today! Or tomorrow! Depending upon your time zone!
We're sad to lose Sarah as host, but very much looking forward to more Esme and Patrick. #gbsb2026
We're encouraged by this story of the departure of the leader who dragged the Big 4 pattern companies out of bankruptcy.
It sounds like she's leaving Simplicity in good shape and with good prospects for the future. We're grateful that we haven't lost these important parts of the #Sewing community.
Some bastards broke into B-Sides Vintage & Records in #Milwaukie & stole a bunch of high-value stuff. 🤬
The shop is holding a friends & family sale to make some $ for repairs, etc. Select vintage stuff 50% off and many crates of records, none for more than $10.
Park in the lot behind the shop. The sale is back there.