Monday, July 27, 2009

Bewitched Bernina?

What do you do when your sewing machine just starts working all by itself?
Well, you panic a bit, pull all the plugs out and then start un-knotting the thread that is wrapped around the bobbin case. Leave your sewing machine unplugged for a couple of weeks in the naive hope that the next time you plug it in it behaves.
2 weeks pass....
Plug sewing machine in. It behaves - great. Use it, and forget to unplug it. Get in the shower, and after a few minutes, wonder what on earth the noise it that you can hear above the shower. Pull back shower curtain. Shout and swear. Get out of shower and run to sewing machine being careful not to slip over or drip water in the plug socket whist yanking it out. Open the windows and remove Cat from sewing room because burning smell of bewitched sewing machine is foul. Be thankful that you were at home when this event happened and that you didn't need to call fire brigade whist sewing room is on fire and you are in a towel with unshaven legs.

So, what to do? I cannot believe my trusty Bernina is misbehaving. Perhaps this is an all out protest because I've never had her serviced since I purchased her (second hand) and she is very old.
I found this sewing machine repair guy via google. Has anyone used him?

Also, do you want to vote for my blog? Pop over the the lovely dorset cereals website and vote for me to win
Dorset Cereals little awards

I still have some of my cards on offer if you missed it in my last post. I'll leave it another couple of days and then draw the recipients.

9 comments:

jojoebi-designs said...

I can't help sorry, maybe there is a sewing machine conspiracy going on because yesterday my machine (Brother) decided it would not reverse stitch, the thread loader wouldn't work or the auto thread cutter. VERY annoying.

rachelmp said...

Ohhh good luck! I usually find a child under the dining table when that happens to me..

The Curious Cat said...

Oh my, what a mischievious sewing machine! It has clearly gone mental - that or you have a gremlin...uh oh! I got my sewing machine out for the first time the other day. I was too terrified to use it before-I'm a techno phobe! After 7 or 8 attempts to thread the bobbin with the thread getting tangled up in the machine, it went back in the cupboard...I'll try again another day...

angharad handmade said...

Yikes! That's a bit scary. Hope you manage to get it fixed. In case you're interested, I have had my machine serviced by Mike Brown who's based in Cippenham, so very local. He came to the house and seemed to do a good job on my Toyota.

Charlie P said...

Ooh, I'd love a Monda card!!! I'm doing an MA in Illustration this year so am stocking up on "inspiration" to decorate my boring student accommodation walls with :-)

Had no idea sewing machines could behave like yours...better keep an eye on Edna.

p.s. I'll vote for you if you vote for me on Dorset Cereals!

Cheryl Patterson said...

It's good to know that I'm not the only one with a "bewitched" sewing machine! A couple of months ago, my old Kenmore machine would either not stitch at all, or start working on it's own! My husband took the foot pedal apart, cleaned the electrical connection and it's been fine ever since. I hope you get yours to behave soon!

Kyoko said...

OMG!!! that is so scary! Thankfully no one was hurt. This made me think that I must unplug mine.
I have never used the guy before. If you have Bernina sewing machine, I think McCulloch and Wallis have someone from the company who might be able to help you. Though, be careful because the service from some of the staff is awful.
Just voted your blog :D
Have a wonderful weekend!

Unknown said...

That is so scary! Thankfully no one was hurt. I usually find a child under the dining table when that happens to me..

--
Jhon
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lu summers said...

i think this is called 'running on' and it's usually to do with the foot pedal. my bernina used to do it when i was sewing and then stopped...the machine would carry on! might need a new pedal, or it might be simple to fix :)