Have you ever been on a roll, whipping things out only to be stopped cold by a bonehead moment? I was merrily going along this morning - got my big project done and on its way, so I decided to get my sewing room cleaned up and properly unpacked so I can start on a project for me. Needless to say, I have bits of cotton and thread literally everywhere, so I decided to dust while putting things away. Sounds harmless so far, right?

Of course as I dusted off my sewing table, Gertie was looking a bit fuzzy herself - so I decided to go ahead and clean out her out while I was there. After all, I'm on a roll and getting things done 8) DH calls, but that's okay - I'm multi-tasking.

Right up to the moment that the screw for my pressure foot ankle....
(you see this coming, right?)
dropped right into the machine and ended up under the bobbin race :evil:

Gertie and I have an appointment tonight at 6 - thank goodness for a great machine dealer! Of course, between she and my DH I doubt I ever live this one down :lol:

I totally understand!!
The minute I take the screw out of the machine, it goes into a jar next to the machine. The jar is tall enough so if it's knocked over, it's not going to fall out. I have lost that thing on the floor too many times, spending too much time searching for it under my sewing table. It usually shows itself after about an hour of searching and a few pins stuck in my knees.

Hope you are back to sewing quickly!

You might try going to the nearest hardware store and picking up a magnetic parts pickup tool. It'll either be similar to a pencil with a magnet on the end. Or it will look like a radio antenna with a magnet on the end. Mechanics use them, whenever they drop screws. The magnet should be able to find the screw and pull it out for you.

Poor Gertie! I have one of the magnets and it works great! Lost that screw before. LOL

Ninnie

Loretta, you totally crack me up!

Terri, I have no idea what possessed me to change the foot while I had everything out of the bobbin area - that's what I get for talking to DH while I'm trying to do something :) I thought I could get it with the hemostats, but just ended up moving it to the bottom of the machine. That thinking thing again :wink:

mytwopals, if this were a mechanical machine the magnet would work - this one is computerized, so I don't take chances with magnets around it's innards :lol:

Ninnie, I think I actually lost a screw a long, long time ago! ROTF!

Not to worry - it'll be a good excuse to have dinner at Outback, which just happens to be across the street from the shop :lol:

True story, I broke a needle and part of it fell in the bobbin area, The needle wouldn't lower it was striking the broke needle part. I took it to the dealer and explained about the broke needle part being in the bobbin case. He picked up the machine, turned it upside down and gave it shake. the needle part fell out, he said there you are, all fixed. Charged me zero. Makes you wonder what they really do back in their workroom. :?

If you get a chance to watch the repair person get the screw out for you, I'd be interested to hear of his/her method. I'm curious to see, if they use the magnet approach. Also, a magnetic screwdriver might work. I just though of that.

Really hate when that happens! :? :?

I love the idea of a jar next to the machine for the screw. I always tell myself "Don't drop it" and of course I do. Usually I end up crawling on the floor to find it. Hope they get your machine up and running soon!!

Oh, I find myself doing all sorts of things to stop from losing things.

When I wear my contacts, while putting them in, I always have a white towel draped across the sink. That way, if I drop it, it falls on the towel. The contacts have a blue tint and are easily seen on the towel. Can't see them that well when they drop in the sink!

The jar next to the sewing machine happened by accident. I happened to have the jar sitting there one day, I think it had some buttons in it. I was cleaning my machine and taking the screw out. I saw the jar and thought putting the screw in there would be safer instead of letting it just hang out on the table.

I guess I'm just an "odd duck" as my dad would say.....lol