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From: dmoses
Date: 04-26-2005, 04:54 PM (1 of 15)
...You're so happy to actually be sewing something that you're not thinking straight, and you forget to move the needle to center position when using a straight stitch foot, and the needle slams down unto the foot, sending shockwaves up into the workings of your sewing machine, and the sewing machine that cost you over $900 just three years ago stops working. Kaput.   
Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964 
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From: BRG
Date: 04-26-2005, 05:20 PM (2 of 15)
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Oh no ... I am so sorry to hear that ! That's a great lesson to be learned! Kinda like driving a car ... check everything before you actually move including checking behind the car before backing out (DH backed over a stroller!). Hope you get it fixed ASAP! 
- Brenda -
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User: BRG
Member since: 01-12-2005 Total posts: 388 
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From: plrlegal
Date: 04-26-2005, 05:24 PM (3 of 15)
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. . . or, you forget that the last thing you were sewing on was a quilt block and you put your straight stitch plate on and you are now going to sew with a zig zag stitch! Been there and done that but luckily, it didn't break my machine. I have made it a practice to start my machine slowly just in case I have forgotten to move my needle position or I do have the straight stitch plate on and have forgotten. Patsy Patsy
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User: plrlegal
Member since: 05-19-2001 Total posts: 318 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-26-2005, 05:34 PM (4 of 15)
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Oh Donna, I'm so sorry. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: dmoses
Date: 04-26-2005, 06:38 PM (5 of 15)
Thanks, friends. I'm usually very careful, but this one time I wasn't thinking. I had been sewing quilt blocks, and took a break for lunch. When I went back to do more, I turned on the machine, and pressed the 'needle down' button. Unfortunately, my machine starts up in the 'left needle' position, and I forgot to change it. Darn! Now it stays in the left position, and in the 'needle up' position. Darn, darn, darn!  Thankfully, I still have my trusty Kenmore. I just had to dust it off, clean it up, oil it, and I was set to go again. I probably won't get the newer one repaired right away...Thanks to someone else's mistake, my husband's car was totalled recently. We're just getting used to the idea of that big unexpected expense, so I think I'll just cry this one out!
Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964
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From: MaryW
Date: 04-27-2005, 05:25 AM (6 of 15)
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Been there and done that Donna. I thought you were going to tell us your sewing skills were rusty. It makes me so disgusted in myself when I do something like that. Sometimes you can forget the most obvious things. I hope your trusty old Kenmore works fine for you.
MaryW
owner/editor of Sew Whats New |
User: MaryW
Member since: 06-23-2005 Total posts: 2542 
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From: dmoses
Date: 04-27-2005, 08:31 AM (7 of 15)
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Hi Mary, The Kenmore is working beautifully. I'm relieved that I didn't get rid of it when I got the new machine. I was thinking of selling it, but I wouldn't have gotten very much for it, and I figured it would be good to have a back-up...just in case. After three years of collecting dust, it is proving to be a 'true friend'!  It doesn't have all the bells & whistles, but it was one of those 'bells' that got me into trouble in the first place.  Oh well... Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964
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From: toadusew
Date: 04-27-2005, 10:09 AM (8 of 15)
I don't think I've ever had the same problem you just had, Donna, but I was sewing the other day and then went to cook supper. I had unplugged my iron and checked my sewing machine--the screen was dark, and I touched it (my machine goes into "save" mode when not in use after 30 minutes) which turns it back on, and nothing happened so I naturally assumed it was off. A day or so later (?) I went into the sewing room to sew and my machine had been on the whole time! It was a whistle and bell that got me, too!  However, in my case, everything was ok. I hope you get your machine repaired soon!
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User: toadusew
Member since: 01-08-2005 Total posts: 369 |
From: DorothyL
Date: 04-27-2005, 03:58 PM (9 of 15)
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Donna, Not only do I have two old back up electric sewing machines I have a treadle in case the world blows up and there is no electricity! Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Sewhappie
Date: 04-28-2005, 05:15 AM (10 of 15)
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I have my old Kenmore set up as my quilting machine. It has worked out great this way. I don't have to change stitches or plates. My computerized one is for garment sewing only now. Still working on getting my moms machine back up and running, hopefully by this summer. Sorry to hear about your machines going on the blink, that can be so nerve racking. Hope you don't have to wait to long. |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: dmoses
Date: 05-03-2005, 02:40 PM (11 of 15)
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***Good News*** I was going to take my sewing machine in today to get a diagnosis & estimate of cost for repairs. I decided to plug it in one last time...just to see. Well, when I tried it out, it started working again! At first, it didn't want to pick up the bobbin thread, but after a few attempts, it began to work. I haven't tried all of the stitches yet, but the ones I have tested seem to be okay. Whew! I don't know what to think now. When it broke the other day, the needle bar refused to move from the 'up' position, and would not change positions(left & right) for the various stitches. I guess it was angry at my stupidity and decided to give me the silent treatment for a while...or maybe it just needed a 'reboot'. Anyway, I feel really lucky! I will bring it to the dealer in the next few days for its annual maintenance check.  Thank you all for commiserating...
Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964
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From: BRG
Date: 05-03-2005, 04:45 PM (12 of 15)
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Good luck!!!
- Brenda -
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User: BRG
Member since: 01-12-2005 Total posts: 388
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From: Mother in Law
Date: 05-03-2005, 08:30 PM (13 of 15)
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Hey Donna, Glad it started working, you may want to take it in just to get it checked. The timing may have been knocked out of wack. If it doesn't seem just right with some of the stitches I'd get them just to check it out if you can trust your dealer to tell you the truth. They told me that was one of the things wrong with my Janome machine, the zig zag motor was out of time. It's still in the shop, they can't find out what's wrong with it and they are not Janome dealers but I trust them more than my Janome dealer here in town. I think he's getting certified to do Janome's that what he's waiting on to do my machine. I don't need it right now so I'm not griping too loud. As long as it gets fixed. I kept all of my old machines. You never know when you might need them. Dorothy, in your part of the woods, with the grids in the Northeast you might need that treadle machine sooner than you think  . 
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User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
From: dmoses
Date: 05-12-2005, 03:17 PM (14 of 15)
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Hi Susie, I did take it in to get checked...I just picked it up. I had to get a new bobbin case for it, but other than that, everything is okay, apparently. I haven't fired it up again, yet. I'm a little busy today, and Mary has already warned us that tomorrow is Friday, the 13th...I don't think I should tempt fate by touching it tomorrow...so it looks like I won't be testing it out until the weekend. For the check-up and new bobbin casing + taxes-$140. Do you think that's fair? The bobbin case was ~$50. I'm thinking that this machine is costing a lot more than I had originally planned, but I can't *not* get the annual maintenance check. It's a computerized machine and requires a qualified 'in the know' technician to oil its 'nether regions'. Apparently, their whereabouts are a secret that the manufacturer can't/won't reveal, even to the owner.  
Take care,
Donna |
User: dmoses
Member since: 02-22-2002 Total posts: 964
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From: Mother in Law
Date: 05-12-2005, 09:58 PM (15 of 15)
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Donna, My dealers here in town charge around 75.00 for a check up and then any other problems are extra so that is in the ball park of what it cost. That's why I guess if my hubby didn't have such a good job I would have to start charging for my sewing but the Grandkids dont' have any money so I'd be in a fix since I sew mostly for them.
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User: Mother in Law
Member since: Total posts: |
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