That sure does ruin your day doesn't it. I'm so sorry. I think it is time for you to go to Hobby Lobby and look at fabric, don't you?

Sewing machines are so tempermental. I am sure it felt neglected and is now making it's voice heard. It probabley whats some pampering. Cleaning, new needle, rethreading, a few kind words. Who really know, maybe it feels the need for a check up. It's the cold season you know. Sorry for you bad day. Things will look better tomorrow. Jayne

That is so annoying Beverly!!! I have that prob more with my embroidery machine than my sewing machine SO FAR, and no where close by to take it for repairs.
I need to call the business in the next town and see who she uses for maintenance just in case.
Stay warm,
Rosa

Just last night I was filling some bobbins and started to hear a belt slipping a little. OMG I was half in a panic thinking I would have to take the machine in for servicing! So I'm sympathetic about your problems and hope they are resolved quickly!

Kate

When my sewing is wonky and something in my machine goes wrong (because it CERTAINLY can't be MY fault) I take the opportunity to give it a good cleaning and oiling, change the needle, grab some dilute ammonia and clean the outside.

That usually fixes it and releases the gremlin spirits. And I feel better having a clean and happy machine.

I'm of the mind that there is nothing more frustrating than when a machine doesn't work right! - & any kind of machine-- sewing, dishwasher, CAR! I always hate it when what you're depending on fails. I also agree that our machines have feelings too - & they do miss us when we stay away too long. Just like a spoiled child, they pout & often throw tantrums. And just like a child, my machine responds best when I tell it 'fine, if that's the way you want to be, be by yourself' I then leave the room, eat something fattening (good-for-you-foods don't work when you want to make a point) After a few minutes, or however long it takes to eat 5 Oreos & a glass of milk, I go back in the sewing room, clean her up nice, rethread her - all the while talking sweet & telling her how important she is to me. Laugh if you will, but I swear this has worked every time! --------Now if I could only get it to work on my van...

~Cindy

Ok Bev, its time for a sleep aid! Heres to You! Everyone clink your stemware in honor of Bev!

...at least your toes will be warm....

Gwen

Toolgranny, I like your treatment. I may need to go to JoAnns also. It seems my favorite ruler (6 1/2 x 24) has warped too. I also "need" to get a 15 1/2 inch ruler.

I gave her bobbin shuttle a good cleaning (and the walking foot also), it was a new needle. I haven't tried the ammonia, but she could use a good bath. If she has to go into the shop it means a 2 hour drive to my moms. That is the closest authorized repair shop. I'm hoping it is just the nut behind the controls and tomorrow will be better.

beverly

Cindy and Gwen, you posted while I was typing and I missed them. Cindy, I will get Oreo's tomorrow (all I had were cherry cordial kisses and they didn't work). Gwen the sleep aid is helping!

beverly

Beverly,

You have my sympathies, my dear. Nothing is worse than when our machines decide to be a little rebellious. Last night I was (finally) taking in the waist of my middle daughter's jeans, just like she asked. All was going pretty well, and then it happened. Heard that familiar "chugging" in the bobbin/shuttle area. Sure enough, when I finished my little 1-1/2" long seam, there was a rat's nest of threads on the underside of what I was sewing. Bah! Of course, it was such a tight repair that it was literally impossible to remove the stitching, so it's been left in. Told the machine, "okay, you win. Now Rayechel will notice that you were working on her pants, too. Are you happy now?" Then I got up and walked away with a smile.

Today, went back to the "beast", told it we were going to make some quilt blocks together, changed the bobbin and all is well. Dontcha just love it when the machines realize who the boss is? Just like a petulant child, they sometimes just need to be reminded that although they are important to us, we still provide them with a home, adn we feed them lovely fabrics and exciting threads. We take good care of them and they will eventually come around.

Just remember, tomorrow is another perfect day to sew. Remind your machine! And good luck.

Perhaps it is just the cold weather. I haven't tried mine today, the grands are here till after lunch. I have to work for several days starting tomorrow, so it will have another short break. Hope your daughter appreciates your efforts.

beverly

Beverly, I took a class yesterday at the Pfaff dealer & she said the cold weather definitely affects the performance of the electronic machines. I had wanted to get DH to put my machine in my car in the garage the night before, and decided against it because it was so cold. I was right not to leave it in the cold. Even in the trunk for the drive there, my machine was cold and I let it warm up a bit inside there before I started sewing. My office / sewing area is frigid here, when the it is so cold outside and we've had very high winds for what seems like weeks. So, I suggest warm that baby up, use some compressed air in the nooks & grannies (it is not good for us to blow it out - our breath has moisture - I know we all are guilty), remove everything you can to brush out all the lint, icluding thr presser foot, rub two strands of thread thru the tension discs gently to remove any teeney bits of thread lint, oil if necessary, rewind a bobbin, use a new spool of thread, new needle - take a stiff drink (for you not the machine) and see if that helps. I hate it when they have temper tantrums! I hope something helps that I suggested - if not, the stiff drink will help you.

My machine is mechanical, but I think the cold still affects it. It is inside, but my sewing room is not well heated and there are 5 windows in it, so it does get a bit chilly. I have turned on the space heater (oh how we spoil our machines) to keep it a bit warmer. Besides, it is directly under my bedroom and that will also help heat the floor. I did blow out all the lint (clean suction bulb sure is handy)and clean the bobbin area yesterday. We shall see this afternoon. I have my wine cooling. (Sorry, sleep-aid).

beverly

Mago thank you!!!! I had searched the Net to see if the cold weather affects the machines. My computer is acting sluggish as well.
My sewing room has 2 windows and the one facing west gets a lot of sun in the summer. That's when my machines act up.
And now with the cooooooooooold!
Rosa

Finally Rosa......I offered some info useful to you!! ~LOL~ you offer so much useful info to me in the blogs and you tubes and tutorials that you post, I am happy to finally post something that may be of use to you!! You are quite welcome. This is an old established sew and vac center and service center for all kinds of machines, 2nd generation running it, I trust what they say.
Beverly, 2 other machines I use are mechanical and they can be very temperamental for no apparent reason.