Author: laranettle

Unboxing the overlocker


It’s obviously been tested in the factory, and it works perfectly. Any problems will be my fault!


Colour coded tension dials. Each thread has a colour assigned, and there is a threading diagram inside the front cover.

includes tweezers for threading

The little box of bits


Sorry about the fuzzy pic – but you can see on the left, my first attempt. On the right, my second attempt. Much better. 11.09am


Attempt number 2 – an almost perfect cuff. 11.12am


Completed hat and pants. 1.19pm

Pfaff Hobbylock 2.0 Review

Since I’d never touched an overlocker before I went to the shop to try threading it. And today was the first time I’ve ever used one. So I’m pretty impressed that I was able complete two items (including unboxing, reading the manual, making a pattern for the pants and cutting all the pieces), in just over two and a half hours.

I’ve been told that overlockers can be fiddly, hard to get the tensions right, impossible to thread, etc. So many people told me that they have an overlocker that they never use because it is so cantankerous, I am thrilled with this one – it couldn’t have been easier. Of course, I am still crap at driving it, but I haven’t broken anything yet, or needed to take myself to hospital, so I’m impressed, and given my limited experience, I would recommend this model to anyone.

A community service

There are some recipes that are too good not to share. I believe this is one of them. Mum put me on to it years ago, and I’ve since done many, many variations on the basic theme. It’s one of my favourite go-to recipes when I can’t be bothered cooking, and want something yummy and warm. It is also really healthy (depending on toppings), and can be mostly made with cupboard and freezer items.

Soup

5 cups water
4 slices ginger
5 teaspoons Massel vegetarian chicken stock

Simmer while noodles are cooking.

Topping Suggestions

Chinese sliced dried mushrooms, reconstituted in boiling water
Gai Lan (steamed/microwaved)
Frozen Spinach (microwaved, excess water squeezed out)
Vegetarian Chinese Sausage (from your local large asian grocer)
Field Mushrooms sautéed in butter
Frozen Peas

Basically anything you have in the house, I like to use at least 2 different colours. And I usually use field mushrooms because I am a philistine and don’t really like Chinese Mushrooms in this dish.

Noodles

Drop noodles into a large pot of boiling water. Drain as soon as the water comes back to the boil, or within about 4 minutes, whichever is sooner. They really don’t need much cooking.

Run under cold water.

To Serve

Place noodles in bowl, ladle soup over.

Add toppings, and a splash of sesame oil.

Serve with chilli paste and light soy to taste.

I’m sorry I haven’t called

Found this article today. If you’ve ever been cranky at me for forgetting to call you, here is a good explanation. It’s not an excuse, but it might give those of you without children some insight into the life of a full time parent.

For what it’s worth, I could have written that letter myself, a few years back 😉