Saturday, January 25, 2014

This is Why I Have a Spare

See my year old Janome sitting on my cutting table?  Why do you ask? Because it won't sew a straight stitch...it takes three or four stitches and then it jags to the side and jams.  Next weekend I will be taking it to the sewing machine shop to be repaired...



Thank goodness, I have a spare plus one.  I pulled my Janome 6600P out and set her up so that I can finish up my weekend sewing.  But I can already tell that I'm going to miss my 8900.  The extra large opening, all of the light, and the weight of her is missing in my 6600P ~ though I'm not complaining.  I'm thrilled that I have a spare to turn to so that I can keep on sewing.



It's interesting because just this evening, I was thinking that when I go on vacation in May, that I would put both the 8900 and the Babylock serger in the shop for their annual check-ups.  Guess the 6600P and the serger will be heading to the shop in May instead because their big sister is going in sooner than that.

This really stinks because my iPad died this week too.  I googled it and did everything suggested and still no go.  I will take it to the genius bar at the Apple Store but I don't have much hope for it.  I'm especially bummed cause I can't remember the last time I backed the dang thing up and just hope that "the cloud" held onto most of my stuff!

This means there will be next to no fabric buying going on around here. Sewing machine check ups cost almost $200 for my computerized machines and that's before repairs. I was rocking a iPad2 so will upgrade to an iPad Air but this is an unforeseen expense. Thank goodness I have a well stocked sewing cave!!! I'm also thankful that my next couple of projects are all from fabric that's already in the collection.

I'm sure my 8900 will be fixed and returned to me soon but I'm missing my favorite things already...

...as always more later!




18 comments:

  1. I would be crushed if my 8900 played up... after all that expense, I am relying on it to work for at least 10 years yet! (By the way, I was looking at machines, and your positive review was one of the things that got the 8900 over the line and into my home - thanks!).

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  2. Oh my! $200 for a check up. I hope that is for all three machines. Yikes! Sorry to read that the ipad is acting up too. I also sew with a computerized Janome. Do you do regular maintenance on your machine at home? When I purchased my latest Janome (I also have two) a 4120 QDC I went to a class at the shop. At the class they recommended that we clean our machines after each use. I'll admit I'm bad for doing this. But I did blog what they taught us that day at the class. It is here if you're interested, http://sewessentiallysew.blogspot.ca/2012/09/basic-sewing-machine-maintenance-101.html. Maybe (fingers crossed) that might help.

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    1. Graca - I do the maintenance on my machine...removing the bobbin case and removing all the lint with my tweezers or a small make-up brush. I've been using the lockstitch button a lot and I think it jammed. I guess I should be worried but I'm not...I think it's something simple. And no, my computerized machine starts at about $150 for a tuneup. Add taxes and any parts and the cost goes up. It's like owning a foreign car! *LOL*

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  3. Oh no, what a pain! Hope nothing major wrong with it. Happy sewing!

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  4. Oh no! I totally sympathise. Thank goodness for spares. My main sewing machine died out of the blue last year and although I took it to the machine hospital, it was never the same. It's awful isn't it! Here's wishing your 8900 a speedy and economic recovery. Brace yourself for trouble with electronic item number three though .... In our house when the technology pixies come and mess with us it's always a group of three things that go wrong!

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  5. I think it's the weather like us machines seem to get sluggish in the dark, damp winter weather. Like you my machine had to go in for repair and i was so pleased I had a spare so didn't not have to stop sewing. But hope lovely was it to get my husqvarna sapphire back. I feel in love with it all over again and really appreciate how it makes my sewing so much easier. It's renewed my enthusiasm for sewing

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  6. Oh bummer and hope that its something minor. I've come to realize with a lot of sewing a back up machine is a mandatory necessity.

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  7. I had to take my singer for her annual tune-up earlier than expected as well. Skipping stitches and the button thread getting caught and tightening with a horrible pang! Thought about buying one of there refurbished machines to work with this week while my singer is gone.... But didn't. A whole week without sewing! And I have so many projects in my que!!!!

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  8. Here is hoping that your machine is fixed quickly. My SE sits waiting to go to the person who does the repairs. That is a 2.5 hour drive each way. We don't do it in winter.
    DH's iPad had a glitch - wouldn't start. The guy at the Apple store pressed the on/off and big button on the front to restart it. I backed up the 2 iPads and iPhone when we got home. Will be doing it weekly now.

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    1. Ann ~ I did the home and on/off button start - nuthin'. I hooked it up to the computer and let it sit for awhile - nuthin'. If the Apple people can revive it I will be thrilled. If not, I'm prepared to purchase another one. I feel naked without it. Sad how much our lives revolve around technology now!

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  9. UUugh! What a bad week in the technology department! I hope everything is sorted out soon and with less expense than you expect!

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  10. I´m suprised how expenisve a machine check-up is in the US. The last time I payed for the check.up of my MC 6600P and my Elan 8300 embroidery machine around 100$ all in. And this in Germany where we have much more higher prices then in the US.

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  11. Oh no!! How devastating. I too, keep my old machine for just this reason. I'm glad you have 98.8% off all supplies needed on hand, repairs and replacement (iPad) are expensive! :) g

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  12. Ugh, it always seems like repairs and/or technology problems come in groups. I hope everything gets sorted out for you soon!

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  13. Sorry to hear about your machine! I have a spare too, but mine is a 1956 Singer Featherwight. When my juki needs a tune up, it's a hassle to get her to the repair shop. The head weighs so much! (it's an industrial)

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  14. I feel your pain! My main machine went out and when I pulled out my trusty backup, it was down too! My grandmother gave me a brand new machine that was too complicated for her to use and it needed a new upper tension unit. It feels so helpless when you can't do what you love!

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  15. I hate when I have to take my machines in for checkups! It is worse when they get "sick" before time. Glad you have a back up!

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