Quilting the last row of a quilt...
 

I sort of got roped into quilting a queen size quilt..."sort of roped in" because ultimately I am responsible for what I agree to do or not do.

Today I was finally ready to do the last row, and I knew the bobbin is down to last winds of thread on it. I reached to take out the bobbin case and could not!

I looked into the bobbin area and saw the bobbin still in place. However, the little lever that you have to lift to get it out was not in it. Argh. I found it on the long arm table, which, of course, did not solve the problem.

DH to the rescue - he got the bobbin case out for me. My last reserve, "I'm truly desperate if I use it" bobbin case does not feed thread smoothly, so I have decided that the last row of quilting can wait until I get a new bobbin case. Waiting to use a new bobbin case is far more pleasurable than using an available imperfect one and then having to rip out zillions of stitches. Ordering one tonight.

Your choice to wait makes sense to me.

i've never heard of the 'lever' breaking off before

You're more patient that I am ... smarter, too!

don't you just hate it when you get that close and them the machine needs to "rest"? But a good choice on what to do.

It sounds like you speak from experience. I have to agree. Ripping out quilting stitches is the pits! Good call!

My suggestion.....order two bobbin cases...always wise to have a spare....just in case

Yes I am with Geri B--except that I would order 3--just in case!! Only don't put the extras 'someplace safe'. You 'll never find them again!!

This happened to me too. I have purchased 2 new bobbin cases.

Agree-- always keep a spare on hand. If it's dropped on a hard floor it can get out of round, which becomes a problem for good thread tension.