2/13/13

FUBAR

Well, old Bessie came home from the shop today.  I'm telling you, we were so glad to see one another that we just gabbed for hours.  Admittedly, I did most of the talking.  And admittedly, my sewing machine's name isn't "Bessie".  I haven't actually given her a name, although I'm relatively certain she is a female.  Who else but a woman would sew day in and day out and never get tired of it or need to stop to watch the game of the week?


Well, she's all cleaned up, and she definitely sounds better.  Her tension is all adjusted, and her FMQ skills have improved marvelously.  The speed problem is still not fixed, however.  I blame myself for not really explaining the problem correctly.  When we finally got around to sewing, I still could not control the speed with the foot pedal.  

When I took her in for repair, I explained that the slide switch wouldn't work with the foot pedal.  You can see the slide switch just next to the lower left corner of the machine's screen.  If I slide it all the way to the left, I can limit the speed of the machine to slow, or I can slide it all the way to the right to go as fast as possible.  That was only part of the problem.  I should also be able to control the speed of the machine by how much I depress the foot pedal, like stepping on the gas in a car.  That was the part I didn't explain adequately (partly because I didn't understand it myself).  I asked Mike to take a look at it tonight, just to be sure I wasn't crazy or something.  (One never knows.)  He agreed with me that the foot pedal had no function beyond being an on-off switch the way it is working now.

My first move was to check online to see what it would cost to simply replace the foot pedal.  Being a Bernina, everything is expensive.  So I was yelling downstairs to Mike what it would cost to simply replace it (because I really didn't want to take it back to the shop).  Unbeknownst to me, Mike, the engineer who can't resist an opportunity to take something apart and try to fix it himself, had already taken it apart.  He thought he had it all figured out, but in the process of putting it back together...something akin to stuffing an airbag back into the steering column once it's already deployed...he broke the little contacts.  Now the thing won't work at all.  In fairness to Mike, he's usually very good at fixing things.  This time, not so much.  Oy.

So now, I'm without my sewing machine again.  I did order a new foot pedal and it's being overnighted to me.  This being Wednesday evening, I don't expect to have it until Friday.  And if I don't have it on Friday, I'm going to have to ask for a different day in the blog hop, because I'm running out of time to finish my piece.  I don't think my Janome has the stitches I need to finish it.  So, I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Foot Pedal Friday, as I've just now dubbed it.

Today was supposed to be a stay-at-home day, but since I had to go into town and pick up the sewing machine, I decided to go grocery shopping as well.  I'm making some biscotti for Mike for Valentine's Day, and I didn't want to try to go to the grocery store on Thursday and then make biscotti too.  All of that to say that even if the sewing machine had been at home, there wouldn't have been much time for sewing.

I did trace out the first of the Quilting Snowladies today.



I'm using a tea-dyed muslin for this one, something new for me.  I like the vintage look, and it's what the pattern suggested.  So that's the latest on the sewing machine debacle.  Hopefully, Friday will bring me what I need to get on with things.

19 comments:

Lynda Halliger Otvos (Lynda M O) said...

ODTAA--one dang thing after another.... I'm sorry you have been unable to sew for these many days.

We took the foot pedal apart when we bought my sewing machine and we had to use caliper lubricant in order to get the slide control to work. Still it's not perfect but then so little in life is anymore.

Lynne said...

Ooooo, how frustrating. Deb, of Stitchin' Therapy, had the same problem with her Janome a couple of weeks ago -- turned out to be lint build up from the carpet! Who'd a thunk it?

quiltzyx said...

How sad, to be so looking forward to having your machine back, but still having the problem. Hope Friday is indeed Foot Pedal Friday for you!

Lyndsey said...

Oh how frustrating. I hope the new pedal turns up on Friday. Once you get it all sorted you will need to have a sewing marathon to get back in your sewing groove. (I hope you've got a lot of catnip to keep the kitties happy while that happens)

I must trace out a couple of stitching patterns - another of those jobs I dislike doing. That pattern's going to be fun to stitch.

Unknown said...

Machine addiction, haha. Such a pain when machines won't work. Just read your previous post and well done on your weight loss Barrbara. Sharyn:)

Kathy Felsted Usher said...

I'm so sorry about your machine, I was without mine for a bit and it was frustrating (needed to get my BOM completed before class). I do love your embroidery- do you use a light box or another method to trace?

Diane Wild said...

I feel your pain.

Dana Gaffney said...

Are foot pedals interchangeable, can you use your Janome on your Bernina? Worth a try, otherwise I hope all your dreams come true on Friday.

Mommarock said...

So sorry! I am glad I just read your blog instead of getting caught up in other things this morning. I read that you are making a treat for hubby for dinner.. and remembered to take out the meat I had to thaw to make DH his Lasagna I'm making him and my son for Valentines dinner. Thank you!!!!

Lynette said...

Oh, no! That's so sad. So sweet that he tried. Sure hope the foot gets to you Friday. I am having the *hardest* time resisting that quilting snowladies pattern. ;D Can't wait to see them start emerging on your blog!

Snoodles said...

I'm such a dweeb that I had to check at an online acronym finder on your title...LOL
Congrats on the weight loss! Awesome! I'm cheering for you, girl!
Sure hope that this is indeed Foot Pedal Friday, and you are able to put the pedal to the metal!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Sew sorry about the machine. If you were closer, I'd loan you my Janome (hoping it has the correct stitches you need). Hope the foot pedal arrives EARLY on Friday morning.

Celtic Thistle said...

Gosh, it never rains but it pours Barbara, hope your foot pedal turns up in time for you. So frustrating all round.

Anonymous said...

My first suspicions led to the foot control, also. I had problems with the one for my Bernina serger and the first time the tech was able to fix it. Several years later a replacement was the only solution. Like anything else, there may have been an assembly problem (factory) or rug lint, as was suggested. I pray that the problem will see resolution with your FRIDAY delivery (positive thoughts!!!)....Happy Valentine's Day! Hugs.....Doreen

krislovesfabric said...

Yay for Foot Pedal Friday...hope it works out for you!!

Brown Family said...

I hate it when I forget to tell the tech something or explain it correctly. We never see the tech, just the shop ladies and trying to explain what is happening on paper never comes out right! I hope the foot control comes tomorrow!

Marei said...

Oy! OY! Like my Dad used to say...somedays you just can't win for losing.

Rachel said...

Good to see your machine where she belongs!
Hope the new pedal arrives early, LOL.
I am totally looking forward to your snowladies, they are going to be awesome!

Kate said...

Really hope the foot pedal fixes your problem.