Chapter two of Mrs J’s machines. We did the juicer. The latest addition to the machine park – the ice-cream machine – is coming up. But today, we’ve got the sewing machine.

Mrs J’s sewing machine may be branded a Huskystar, but it should really be called Kerberos, Godzilla or Alien.

Based on behaviour.

Instead of producing the requested brand of seam, it seems to devour thread and fabric at will. While screaming like a banshee. Also, it throws harpoons.

Ok, it was a broken needle. But it seriously looked like a mini-harpoon going for Mrs J’s eye.

This anti-social behaviour has been detrimental to Mrs J’s productivity, sewing-wise.

But today she won.

“Jaws” threw a final desperate tantrum, spraying Mrs J with metal parts.

Mrs J persevered.

She even got out the screwdriver and repair manual.

And it worked! She finished her chair covers. Six of them, in fact. They may not be as complicated as the original prototype she made, but they’re good enough.

Good enough, in this case, meaning they will keep the cats off. And they look pretty good too. Mrs J is pleased.

As opposed to some.