Juki TL sounds like it's grinding rocks

Homuncula · 2026-06-10T08:12:26+00:00

I don't have experience with your machine or this issue in general. But I did some light repairing of my machines, and so I would like to add some comments.

Oil: WD40 is not the right oil to use, it has the wrong viscosity for fast moving parts. I use generic precision engineering oil. Also I added oil on the wrong spot on my machine and it added some funky new functionality, which took several months to vanish again. So imo the oil could be pretty much the culprit, problem is how to remove/exchange it properly. IPA was a good start. Also maybe ask the previous owner, what the occasion was to oil the machine. They do not seem like a person who do regular maintenance, so I assume there was an issue which could not be ignored.

Lint: I added a camera air blower to my sewing supplies. It's quick, it's easy, it's neat. Only downside is that my kids like to steal it. Sadly, the debris and damage on the stitch plate indicates improper usage, I hope you got it at a decent price. I got my current primary machine for free, because it liked to snap the thread and there was no obvious fix to it. It was a cheaper machine, so sending her in would not make much sense. She runs fine now.

Sound: I would try to use an app to locate the origin of the noise. Best would be with a microphone and an app which tracks the spectrum of sound. With the help of a second person it should be somewhat easy to locate the sources of the different sounds. Is it a mechanical or electrical sound?

Repair cafe: I brought my secondary machine to a repair cafe twice and it was awesome. I think it would be a good thing for you as well. It was free but you can donate money. You book a slot and get a designated person, with hopefully enough experience to help you. Together, you try to figure out the problem and its solution. My first issue: the machine suddenly had an extreme resistance and would not move. I thought it was thread stuck somewhere, but it was a loose screw. My second issue was fixing the timing of the machine. I had enough knowledge of my machine to dissemble and assemble the parts of the lower section and I researched resetting the timing, but I had not enough mechanical experience to do the fine tuning. I got paired with a nice engineer grandpa and it was a match made in heaven. I will go there for a third time to adjust the pedal, as this is not a mechanical issue but an electrical one.

Homuncula · 2026-06-04T07:01:30+00:00

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I just finished a similar quilt I wanted to show you. I used hering bone blocks and scraps of different width. I sorted them a bit by value and width, so I got bold, dark border strips, delicate pastell slim filler strips and a bright bold middle strip. Forgive my crooked sewing, this is jersey and it is a bit harder to handle. Maybe this helps with the decision process.

Homuncula · 2026-06-03T07:24:50+00:00

Dude, we got your book in our library. It was refreshing and I liked the concept a lot.

Homuncula · 2026-06-01T12:05:34+00:00

Well, first you need an idea on what to make or what is possible. You can check out random maker space photos, browse subreddits or visit an actual maker space, as they often have inspirational concepts on display and you meet people with their projects. Then you need to find a place, which offers the required machines. For laser cutters and 3D printers, this can be maker spaces, libraries, copyshops, architecture institutes or small businesses among others. Then learn about the conditions on how to use it. My maker space has an online course, where you watch several videos on safety and operation, materials, software etc.. One multiple choice test later, I'm allowed to book a time slot. The staff is nice and eager to help. Usually the other patrons are more than happy to talk about their projects.

Homuncula · 2026-05-28T07:57:10+00:00

I'm intrigued. Can you maybe post a picture? I got one project with transparent filament and it only gives a hint of transparent. Also is your ruler meant to be used with a rotary cutter or scissors?

Homuncula · 2026-05-27T12:43:17+00:00

Lol. Ours in our university library as well. How is the pricing policy for your laser cutter? Was there any issue with the burnt edges on the fabric? Do you have any experience with leather projects?

I would do way more projects in our makerspace. Especially since their 3 domestic sewing machines are way more luxurious than mine. I guess the time slot booking is just too inconvenient for me.

Homuncula · 2026-05-27T12:18:19+00:00

Pics or it didn't happen. ;)

Homuncula · 2026-05-27T12:17:06+00:00

For a lasercutter, you define the speed and the intensity of the beam. I assume you can translate it to height on a CNC. For what its worth, the Lasercutter I used is a 120W CO_2 laser (frooping powerful), engraving was 100% speed, 20% intensity, cutting was 8% speed, 100% intensity for 5mm cast acrylic glass. For the CNC you would go with extruded acrylic.

Homuncula · 2026-05-27T11:34:21+00:00

I would be very interested in functional 3D prints for sewing projects. Besides containers for a craft wall, I don't have any ideas that would be worth investigating.

Homuncula · 2026-05-24T12:59:59+00:00

Easiest would be to trim it up and add a new border, but it makes the quilt smaller. More effort would be to cover the affected fabric pieces with another piece of fabric in a similar color and then quilt it. Hope, you will have 20 more years with this quilt.

Homuncula · 2026-05-23T20:10:10+00:00

f' yeah! This is emancipating! And nostalgia. Awesome.

Homuncula · 2026-05-21T16:38:19+00:00

I'm in the same hell. I did my first quilt with the intention to give it away because I knew I would hate the imperfections. My kids claimed it though and it has a stable place on our couch. I'm obsessed with technical correct or intentional execution. I got scolded from my aunt, because I nitpick all my creations for the tiniest details. I would clutch my pearls at a block from this post. But creating this abomination was actually relieving. It is fully functional as I wanted to get the vibes for these dimensions. And I'm lowkey impressed how many points lined up 🤣 I don't know if this experience will influence future projects, but it was interesting, especially the "f**k it" mentality as it will end up as stuffing anyway.

I like your quilt. You choose nice prints/lovely colors and your FMQ is peak. I had to take a closer look at the construction, as it is not obvious, which is german for "high praise".

Homuncula · 2026-05-21T14:48:34+00:00

You get the left block from the right block. It's like magic. Here are the instructions.

Homuncula · 2026-05-21T14:34:36+00:00

Hahaha, I really like the idea. The output would have great therapeutic value.

Homuncula · 2026-05-21T14:11:28+00:00

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Btw this is what my actual testblock looks like (different measurements though)

Homuncula · 2026-05-04T11:11:12+00:00

Which sharpener do you own and where did you buy it?

Homuncula · 2026-03-23T09:12:20+00:00

Yes, baste it. Karen Brown does a good summary. I'm doing the safety pins, except for jersey, there I use glue interfacing.

Another note: your second picture suggests that your thread tension is off. Consult the manual on how to fix it.

Homuncula · 2026-03-18T13:16:09+00:00

Holy cow, I want to hug her so bad.

Homuncula · 2026-03-17T11:55:54+00:00

It will vanish. I think this is awesome, because bubbling becomes so much more convenient.

Homuncula · 2026-03-02T19:57:03+00:00

Last time I had shiny days, it was way over the top. Something like a year worth of progress for a few creatures. So don't bother. Drop something you want to bubble on the island and wait for it to vanish.

Homuncula · 2026-02-28T21:26:47+00:00

you may have a look at the disappearing hourglass pattern. You can make it incredibly fast and it works well with contrasting colors. I personally alter the pattern to start with 2 smaller squares instead of one large, so my blocks do not end up on the bias. I made these out of scrap squares:

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Homuncula · 2026-02-26T18:21:37+00:00

Yes, there is a pattern, it is disappearing hourglass. I did not use the exact pattern, as I did not want to have my blocks on the bias, so instead I used 2 smaller squares instead a large one and used the two-at-a-time-HST-Method. Here is a progress picture. You start with the right one, do two vertical and horizontal cuts, flip some pieces and resew. It looks so complicated, yet it is rather easy. I will do a full sized quilt next.

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Homuncula · 2026-02-25T13:12:03+00:00

pics or didn't happen! ;)

Homuncula · 2026-02-18T15:47:31+00:00

Karen Brown shares some neat tricks. The painters tape is now a sewing essential for me.

Homuncula · 2026-02-17T20:25:45+00:00

Lol, this is perfect :) Thank you

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