Sewing, Interrupted

Two months ago I bought a lot of fabric for new projects and not a single one is complete yet. This is mostly due to travel and tri training, but a recent sewing machine malfunction contributed.

So last night I got back to the sewing. Everything was going smoothly... right up until it wasn't. The machine suddenly started jamming again in the exact same way I just spent $50 to fix. The bottom thread bunches up and doesn't sew at all. This makes sewing impossible.

Tonight, I tried a new bobbin hoping it would fix it, but it didn't. (The guy at the repair shop indicated it might.) These constant problems with sewing machines are unbelievably frustrating. I just walked into Kent's house and dumped a slew of curse words on him. I bet Martha Stewart doesn't drop f-bombs when discussing her projects. Well maybe she did in jail. To be tough.

I just don't know what is going on. I got rid of the first sewing machine assuming it was a bad apple, but now I've had the same problem twice on the second (which is actually a loaner).

Am I doing something wrong? Is there some special threading trick I am just missing? Do I just need a better machine? Is there some magic wand I need to wave to get through more than 10 minutes of sewing at a time?

Tell me sewing god(dess), why is this happening?

Am I being punished for that stuffed animal I refused to finish in 7^th grade Home Ed just because it was expected of me? I was 13, just discovering my angsty defiant self (and punk music).

But now those numbers are reversed, and defiance holds less thrill. Sewing god, I would like to finish my accent pillow, and I have more onesies on deck. Oh, and I have that stuffed animal sewing class coming up next week.

At this point, I am favoring the option where I throw money at the problem. Tomorrow, I am most likely going to buy a brand new mid-range Kenmore that comes recommended by Leslie, my local sewing teacher/expert. And if that one has trouble, I am putting out a call for hired guns. There will be a sewing god with a bounty on her head.