We have several sewing machines in our workshop and they are on full view so that people who visit us can see us working on them. Because of this we often get asked about people's problems with their machine, or asked advice about what sort of machine to buy. One service that we offer is an introductory one-to-one course "Get to know your sewing machine". At a mutually convenient, pre-arranged time you can come with your sewing machine and I will go through it with you step by step explaining how it works, the importance of good maintenance, giving advice about stitch choice, tension, bobbin winding and so on. Amanda learning how to thread up her machine Recently a young woman came in with her very elderly Singer machine which had sat un-used in a cupboard for about 10 years. This prompted me to get out some of my older machines and have a good look at them again. I thought people might enjoy seeing some photographs and reading a bit about them, why we chos