I had finally decided on the quilt pattern for my GS to make for Christmas. I had all of the rows made and was in the middle of putting the rows together. Then it happened. The screen on my Designer SE went dark. OK. It has a screen saver on it so I thought it activated. I continued to sew since I would be sewing for some time and would not need to change my stitch. Then hubby comes home from playing golf and thinks he needs to be fed. So I turn everything off and go make him lunch. When I went back to finish sewing I turn on my machine and the screen wouldn't light up. This means I can't see to adjust the needle position. Well I know approximately where this is so I am able to change it and continued to sew. This being Sunday, the shop doesn't open for another hour. I round up all of my necessary paperwork-warranty, receipt showing purchase(the shop where I purchased is no longer a Viking dealer). Call the new shop and head out to take my baby to them. It is about a 45 minute drive. When I got there the tech turned it over and looked at the serial number on the bottom. For whatever reason, it didn't match the warranty card. I remembered that I had a paper showing when I registered it on-line, but that was still at home. Now I was scared that I had registered the wrong number. I left. I drove all the way home. I checked the paper and luckily I had the right number registered. They called on Thursday that it was ready. I was excited to get back to the boys quilts so I soon was on my 45 minute drive. I picked it up and headed home to get busy. WRONG It still wasn't working right. I took it back Friday. Now he has to order a new computer board. Thank God it is still under warranty. Hopefully it won't take too awfully long to get the part and then repaired. I have a week long quilt retreat in August. I guess I will have to work on getting ready for the retreat. Seems like I work harder getting ready for a retreat than I do when I get there!
I'm sorry this was so long but I know you share my pain.

So sorry. It's terrible when your machine is in for re pairs. Maybe time to look for a non computerized backup like a vintage singer? Hope you get it fixed and back in time for your retreat.

This is why you need multiple machines, no matter what your husband says ;-)
Glad it's still under warranty, & hope for a speedy turn around!

I HATE when that happens. I can not care about sewing for weeks (yup...I said that) but when my machine is in for repairs I start thinking about all the projects that I want to make. :D

That is awful. I agree, you need a back-up machine. Hope you have your machine back before the retreat.
Sue

Glad you vented. We all feel your pain I'm certain!! Hopefully you will get it back soon.
I agree- a backup is a necessity!! :D

I have my Viking Sapphire and a Janome Magnolia, which is just plain mechanical. Whenever I use it I have to turn my mind back several years to how I used my original machines but at least I can sew.

Wow that is terrible. Not only is your machine messed up but the running back in forth is awful too. Wears you out and runs all the gas out of your car. :( I sure hope you get it back soon and it's running better than ever. ;)

Sorry your machine is in for repairs. I hope they get if fixed soon and you can finish your project.

How frustrating! Hope you get back to sewing soon. HUGS

I do so empathise - my HQ Sweet Sixteen Sit Down developed a timing issue yesterday, and now it has to go on holiday to the UK to be fixed (no dealer here). They were very fair with me, it's under guarantee, so I'll get it fixed, and they are going to give me a free service, and I will pay for one way shipping.

But no, I can't go and get a back up for Sweetie, so I will have to wait it out - I'm going to tidy up a bit and start a lap quilt to take my mind off the wait.

that is what I was thinking.

:thumbup:

I now have lots of them so if my Janome would ever need to go in then I have plenty to choose from. I am so glad your machine is still under warantie and I hope the fix will take care of everything.

So sorry for your dilemma. That is why I try to limit the amount of electronic gizmos in my house. They're great when they work, but when they don't....

The few times that I've had my machine at the dealer for repair, when he brings it out of the back room the first thing he does is turn it on and sew a few stitches - then he tells me about whatever work he did, and any recommendations he might have (like if I was doing something stupid <g>).

I used to think he was wasting my time by turning it on while I was in the shop - now I know why he does this.

Good luck with round 2.

I have a Janome mechanical machine for back up. It's only been out of the box once, to make sure extra feet etc were in there.So,after 5 yrs,has never been used.Hope my regular machine lasts & lasts.

What a bummer!!! I hope you get it back in great running condition soon!!!

I agree! Hope you get your machine back soon!

So sorry about your machine, but it's great that it's still under warranty.

Hope you get it home and in perfect working order soon.

Do you write them down ? I usually do (if I remember !LOL) and then I have an idea of what I wanted to do ..I always keep some type of Journal in the ol purse JUST for those occassions or when I am out and see something I like !

I had the same problem, but it took my dealer 2 month to figure out what was wrong, especialy after I had to call
HQ 800 to find out if anyone had the same problem. Well, I hope your problem is solved now. I do have the Ruby so at least I was able to continue my sewing, I love my SE and would not trade it in for anything.

I must share your message with my husband so he can understand why I kept my old machine as a back-up. I tell him it's like fire insurance, pay good money hoping we'll never collect.

Well, I guess I'm strange. I have the machine that DH bought me as a wedding present almost 25 years ago and I keep hoping it will finally and completely die. I want it dead and gone so that I can put 1 or 2 of my vintage machines into that sewing space without feeling guilty. I have wanted to suggest to DH that I rotate out machines but don't think he'd agree. I do love sewing on my vintage machines though and love being able to fix them myself.

I do have an old Singer machine that I can use for backup when "Shasta" needs repair or maintenance. It doesn't make quite as pretty a stitch, but at least I can piece on something. A quilter without her tools can be a grumpy bear. Just ask my DH

my newst machine is not sewing right either, and I have to take her to the sew Dr. Glad I have my previous machine and just purchased-at a tractor show no less- a zigzag/straight stitch lighter machine for back up. It is a little noiser, but sews great.

Sorry about the machine, but glad it is not you who is not well. I thought by the heading that you wrer going to say you would be out of comission for health problems. Hope your baby is well soon.
Take care.
Linda

That is why I have two machines. So when one is in for repairs I have another one to use.

I can relate! I also have a 45min drive to the repair shop and it would make me nuts to have to make multiple trips. The tech should have made sure everything worked perfectly before you left the shop. So sorry you are going through this ordeal!

Hope things start going better for you.

I feel your pain. But lucky time does fly. You will be sewing in no time.

So sorry to hear of your problem. I can relate. Happened to me about 5 years ago. Now I have a back up for the backup.

I have back up machines -- my ancient Elna and a Janome 3160 back up my Janome 7700. Oh yes, I could pull the Juki off the frame if needed. DH never wonders why I need them since I took my Elna in for service and they kept it a month. I drove him nuts!!

Update on my machine. I went yesterday to pick it up and asked to see it running before I left. OK so we set it up it worked. I was then talking to a lady from the shop and I noticed the screen blinked. I hollered at Jim to come look. He was stunned. He said it had worked for him and didn't know why it was doing this. He took it back to the workroom and kept it again. This was the second time to go to pick it up. That means it was my third trip. Now I'll have to go again. I should be getting more done getting ready for my retreat but my heart just isn't in it now.

Sorry to hear about your troubles. I had the same thing happen to my Bernina 440 EQ. I had it almost a year and was sewing and pressing seams when I turned around, the screen was black but mine did not keep sewing. It just died. They had to get a new mother board (computer) and it took 6 weeks. Hope yours doesn't take as long. Good luck.