Anyone else ever do this?
 

This afternoon I had just finished sandwiching a table runner together. The backing length needed to be cut off a little. Went over to my cutting table to make a quick swipe.........Didn't realize the sewing machine cord was under another fabric. I took my rotary cutter and ruler and went zip.....sparks flew, big poof and then smoke. Melted a section of the cutting mat and a little piece of batting. You should see the chunk melted out of the cutting blade. A couple of black spots in the cotton. I didn't receive a shock but am quite surprized it didn't trip a circuit breaker. Just nicked the machine cord. I can get my husband to replace the cord but you can be certain I'm gonna get a lecture. Yikes! I feel l stupid but very lucky.

Yikes! That's a new one. I'm glad you are okay.

Oh man! My hand was over my mouth as I read this! I am so glad that there was no more damage than that. I have never zapped a cord, but when you mentioned the circuit breakers, it made me think. This is a very old house, and I have to turn off the air conditioner when I want to turn on the iron or it WILL trip the CB's. (It's like Green Acres here.)

Hope the lecture is not too severe. (remind him who does the cooking.)

Scary!!!! Glad you're safe!

Scary! I'm so glad that you're safe.

Oh My! Lesson learned and happy you are safe. Cutters and mats can be replaced~

I haven't heard of that one either. I would be more upset with myself and I know DH wouldn't give me a lecture. He would just tell me call my son (his son too I might add) and have the cord replaced. Because he knows it would be bad enough for me that I have to go without the machine until it is fixed.
I am reminded of a couple years back before we replaced the siding on our house. Always heard noises in the wall on once side of the house, and our Christmas lights were always plugged into that outside outlet on same wall. Shorted out every year. When I turned my iron on that was plugged into the socket on the same wall inside, I would constantly trip the breakers. Thought it was the iron. It was old so we threw it away. The guys take the old siding off, and they find mice trails all throughout the insulation panels. Looked like an ant farm behind glass. They took off the wood and found wires chewed up everywhere. Amazing the house didn't burn down.
Wonder if zapping the cord has any other effect on the machine?

If you have a computerized machine, I would have it checked out. You may have done more than nick the cord. Mbut glad you are OK?

Wow that was a very close call. So glad you did not have much more serious consequenses.

Yes, I get the idiot award of the week and maybe even the month. I have an extremely basic Baby Loc that I bought on ebay a couple of years ago. Nothing computerized about it. I haven't tried to use it with the cord being what it is, but I do know the light turns on. Just call me Sparky! Hubby just looked and shook his head. His best friend is an electrician so I should be back in business shortly.

Glad you're ok, sorry to hear about the cord cutting. Never did that, but had a puppy who chewed through cords if they were in his reach. Never figured out how he escaped electrocution! I hope your machine is ok, too.

So glad you're okay. If the rotary cutter had been all metal instead of mostly plastic, you might not be around to tell this story. Please be more careful!

I never cut around any electrical cords. I always smooth out my fabrics before I start to cut and having anything under the ruler would throw off the ruler when I try to cut. I hope this never happens again. Glad you are okay.

Be sure you tell your husband how very very lucky he is that you weren't electrocuted!! Maybe that will make the lecture easier to take??? ;)

Gracious alive!!! You're lucky, to be able to tell the story! :shock:

Since you ccould type, im guessing youre o.k.
Thank goodness... can you blame it n the cat, dog or kd next door

Boy that is pretty scary. Glad to know you weren't hurt, this could have been much worse.

No I have never had that happen and I am very glad you are OK. That sounds scarey!!!!!

go buy a lotto ticket---glad you escaped injury

It was #3 in a chain of bad luck. Broke my toe on Friday. Sunday my dog suffered what I believe was a stroke, but came through it with flying colors and the cord incident was the last straw. I have been taking my machine down to the dining room to sew, to keep the dog company. I had brought it back to the sewing room, plugged it in momentary to sew 3 pieces of binding together and didn't pay attention to one section of it apparently looped over the cutting table, but hidden under a fat quarter I had laid aside.

Believe it or not, I'm always so careful with the rotary cutter and have never had a major incident/cut. Guardian angels are taking care of me for certain. Hubby didn't give me a bad time at all. Just shook his head and said to be more careful.

Well I have always heard that trouble comes in threes Glad your okay!

Good one Sparky! :D

Wow, you are so lucky it wasn't worse.

Eeekk...!!! Can't say I've had this experience...glad it all worked out as well as it did for you!

Wow, very lucky!! I just cut off some ribbons that I'd laid on my cutting board. I was pretty embarrassed because I was teaching my 10 yo DGD, and trying to use good habits so she'd learn the right way.....a little red faced when she said, "Nana, my ribbons are shorter now"!

Make sure you have your machine checked out by a professional!!

That qualifys for the commercial where the lady gets her car
door ripped off
when she opens it on a busy street.
J J

Glad you are OK. I did that once, but I was using a circler saw at the time. Really makes you feel "...." I really make sure all my cords are where they are supposed to be now!! LOL

I keep one of those tiny irons beside my machine. One time I got it too close o the machine cord and melted the The smell caught my attention and I did only a tiny bit of damage, really only a dent in the cord but it was enought to change the habit. We are both lucky, hopefuly your machine is still fine -- but we learn from our mistakes.

I haven't done this yet. But I have done this with the hedge trimmers. I guess we just need to proceed slower and with out so much excitment in getting it done. :0)

Don't feel stupid! No one knows how many times I have been in my sewing room and done something ( not this, but close enough) and thought to myself " no one in the world would be so wrapped in the project as to do this!" and I can tell you each time I felt small and stupid thinking only me! Thanks for sharing and I am so grateful you are safe. I wear a scar on left forefinger from 3 stitches and carelessness with rotary cutter.

Me too! I got rid of the hedges to solve THAT problem. :D

Now that you folks were so kind to mention it, maybe this is why my carpenter husband didn't give me any grief. He's zipped through power cords with saws, etc. many times. Accidents are just that I guess. I felt tremendously stupid posting this but thought if it helped anyone else avoid something similar, it was worth the embarrassment. Love & Hugs, "Sparky"

Ladies, I think some basic safety rules need to be applied. In my book electricity is to be respected. Thankfully this poster was lucky but it could easily have been the other outcome. Please, if you are using your rotary cutter make sure your cutting mat is clear. Life is too precious. Same with hot irons, keep away from electrical cords. Electricity can be your friend but it also can kill. Please, everyone be careful and enjoy Happy Safe Quilting.

I did not know anyone else could do something like this. A couple of years ago, I kinda nicked the iron cord...almost peed my pants too. It left an amazing round circle in the cutter and the iron was gone. Glad it was not my sewing machine. I was not hurt or shocked either surprisingly...just startled.

Thank goodness you are all right! Thank you to the rest of you for your tales of "oops" - good warnings/reminders to the rest of us!

Happy you are okay! Wow! 110 Volts is worse than 220. 110 Volts just won't let you go, while 220 will knock you loose from the current! Please be careful! We lose too many friends as it is. We sure don't want to lose one that way!

Jeanette Frantz

Glad you are ok Just tell hubby your were so zoned in on this, like you are on everything he says. He will understand.If not let him find his own supper tomarrow.(kidding) Still glad you are ok