Best Practices: Stabilize That Machine!

If you've had the pleasure pleasure of owning an antique machine and then purchased a new sewing machine, you may have noticed one major difference as soon as you picked up the box:  New machines are generally much lighter than their ancestors.  Older machines were typically cast iron beneath the surface, while new machines are filled with many more plastic parts.  Newer machines aren't quite the workhorses that their predecessors were, but if you're taking lessons or classes that require you to drag your machine around, you may not mind so much.  Lightweight = Easier to transport.  However, the first time said machine tips over or your serger goes dancing off the table and crashing onto Rover, you'll see the obvious downside.  (Ask me how I know...)

For me, the problem of machine stability only grew as I gained confidence and speed.  The makers of my Baby Lock serger at least considered stability in the design process:  They put suction cups on the bottom of the machine.  Nevertheless, after 8 years, there's no "suck" left in them.  So after our last move, I came up with a simple solution. You know that oversized puffy honeycomb stuff you put under rugs to keep them from sliding?  Works like a charm.  (...and it stays cleaner and looks much nicer if you actually trim it to conform to the base.  I was too busy or maybe lazy, ironically, to get around to that.) 

Okay, okay so that part about the serger falling on the dog didn't really happen, but if you knew me, you'd know it was entirely possible.

Do you have any clever tips for stabilizing your machine?  Share them with the crowd!

Oh, and don't forget, JustSewOlivia is trying to reach 25 followers and 50 Facebook Page likes by Monday night.  And to celebrate, I'm giving away a handmade baby gift!  Checkout the Ribbon-Adorned Lovey Tutorial for details on the giveaway.  Best wishes!