Bummed
 

I am bummed...need to have my machine looked at because that auto cutter isn't working right. I wonder how long I will be without it? They pick up machines at the shop on Friday and Tuesdays...I hope it's back by next Friday, but won't hold my breath!

I feel your pain! I would miss my auto-cutter a lot, though, so would probably do what you're doing. Of course, I do have a back up machine or two - but they don't have the auto-cut feature!

OH man! That's a big bummer. I am seriously hooked on my auto-cut button. So much so that I made SURE my backup/travel machine had that feature, even though that meant spending almost double what I originally intended to spend.

Funny to think about how addicted we get to these conveniences. I love my needle up/down button, my scissor cut button, my default needle position... The machine I learned on was from 1954 and was my gran's "modern" machine, she called it that because it had levers & dials to set it for zig-zag and decorative stitches instead of using cams like the other one.

That is why it is always good to have a back up machine.

I know how you feel. I am due to take mine in for annual cleaning/maintenance and am really dreading it!!! I have a trip to Romania coming up in October and think I may wait to take it in until just before I leave, and maybe it will be done when I get back!

My auto cutter didn't work as well after the check up.

Consider purchase of a backup machine, even if it is an older used machine. It can keep you sewing while the primary machine is being maintained/serviced.

I share your pain! I nearly went crazy while mine was worked on a couple months ago. I live in Arizona and quickly learned that I need to have it serviced in summer - before the Snow Birds arrive as it takes much, much longer when they are here. Many bring their machines here especially to be serviced at one particular shop and the turn around is nearly a month. Summers - it's more like a week!!!

I guess I am in the minority, but, I have the auto cutter, but prefer to do leaders&enders...thus getting two for one!

I changed the auto cutter blade part myself on my Brother. It was easy. Two little screws is all that's holding it. I think I paid $8 for the new cutter a dealer ordered for me. I have the Brother 1500. If it had been the cutter clutch the part would cost me about $32 plus labor.

A word of caution here. my sister took her Janome in one time to be fixed. She dropped it off at the QS, someone picked the machines up from there, and there were several, all Janome's. Anyway the machine she got back, was the same model as hers, but not her machine. put some kind of identifying mark on your machine and the foot pedal if you send it, or write down the number of your machine so you have it. who ever picked up the machine's that day put them in the back of a pickup truck.

This is what I'm afraid will happen if I take my machine in for service. YIKES!

Wow! This is not a good thing. I am so hesitant to take my machine in for service. :mad:

yep, I took my machine in for a repair and got a different foot petal back. I made a point of showing the shop owner my name on both the bottom of my machine and foot pedal. I looked at the bottom of my machine and pedal before leaving. The shop had to give me a brand new pedal because they couldn't find the woman that had mine. Her's was all scratched up, I didn't want it.

my auto cutter on my babylock ellure didn't work from center needle position to the left but did work from the 4.0 and all the way to the right for the longest time then all of a sudden out of thin air it started cutting in all the needle positions go figure, now on my brother embroidery machine the empty bobbin alert is not working I'm hoping that will fix itself also I'm just waiting to see how long I can deal with it before I take it in to the mechanic/dealer

Oh yuck!! That would bother me, for sure. I'm lucky; my dealer does the servicing in-house so nothing leaves the building.

My foot pedal has velcro stuck to it so I'd definitely notice if I got the wrong one back! I think I might put something more permanent on there though, especially since I do take my machines to classes with me.

I always put one of my address labels on my machine and foot pedal. Even in class, it helps identify mine.

Going off to mark my machines now.

My dealer has all of my machines' serial numbers in his computer data base. When I take a machine in for cleaning or service, he prints a service ticket which includes the serial number. I can't imagine the repair shop sending your sister's machine home with someone else. She should have a warranty with her serial number on it. If they gave her machine to someone else, they are responsible for replacing it.

When I went for my new machine classes, our teacher showed us how to clean our blade! I'm so glad she did, because last week my cutter wasn't cutting the bobbin thread and I was getting frustrated. I tried removing the bobbin and replacing it. However that still didn't work. So I proceeded to open up the plate, move the blade and clean it well with the little brush that came with the machine. Voila! Working great again!

It's like sending your first born off to camp! It's worse for you than for them! Hope you'll get it back and it will be as good as new! Try not to stress too much!

I have found that when my auto cutter stops working it's because the bobbin area needs cleaned out. Why don't you try giving your bobbin case a good cleaning before spending time and money taking it to the sewing machine doctor?
Good luck.

I don't have one on my machine. Just a cute little pair of scissors that I keep pinned to my chest. Didn't even know they had this feature. I need to get out more.

How exciting Romania! Our middle daughter & her family live in Bulgaria working with the Roma's.

I would like to know what kind of machine you have. I have a Pfaff 2144 which I bought because it had a thread cutter. It has NEVER worked properly. I am considering buying a new machine for a variety of reasons and this time I am going to buy one with a reliable thread cutter. So I am gathering information please.

I just bought used "back up' machine as well...crazy idea in general, (Where I grew up NO body owned two sewing machines!) but removes the thoughts of "being without". We travel 4 months of every year...and I use this machine for the trip, as my big Bernina is just too big to travel with! No, it doesn't make sense...at least in my world...but yes--it is an awesome thing.