I know I wouldn't....

During IKE we lost power for 2 weeks. I just sewed my blocks by hand. There was nothing else to do anyway. It is fun to look at the quilt and point to the IKE star blocks. It turned out to be a great story to go along with the quilt. I was making the quilt for my cousin and added the information on the label. No power does not mean no sewing, a great time to improve your hand sewing skills. Just think about all the quilts that were made before there were sewing machines.

I agree!!

Go ahead and sew. Just put your machine on a surge protector, which you should be using even when your power is coming down the line. The only time I've burned out any machines (VCR, phone, Sattelite receiver) was when a surge came down the power lines while the company was doing some work! I've done a lot of sewing while hooked to a generator. BTW, did you know that you cannot hold any power company liable for damage caused by a surge? Yup. I found out the hard way that they are "indemnified" by law.

We lived off the grid for 7 years ... still in contact with friends off the grid. There was no problem. Of course, it depends on exactly how you are set up as already stated.

A few years back I lived off the grid so no electric power (it cost way too much to have it run back to the land), so I learned to do many things without power and a few with a generator. My newer Singer sewing machine did just fine, the generator was outside and used a very heavy duty power cord with a plug in surge protector. Now living in town and machine is still running strong.

My husband is an electrician, he tells people the generators are for emergencies only like of heating and refer and such, but even if you have a good power strip and such he still likes to warn against using anything electronic while on generator because you just never know...I dont even like watching our big tv while on generator. Feel free to pm me if you have questions, we would be more than happy to help with your questions or concerns.

If your machine is not computerized go for it. I used my old Kenmore during the hurricane, but asked hubby first to make sure it was OK.

I have used my machine while camping. I use a giant battery that is hooked up to a inverter so I'm sure a generator would be more than sufficient. I am not able to use my iron because it draws too much power.

I would run the laptop an hour a day, but I had it on a surge protector run into heavy lines running thru the house from the generator...far far from the house. Generators need to be outside, not in the garage...OUTSIDE, away from the house.

Good luck to you...and to CL&P! :lol: CT tops the list for outages, well over half a million people. I think we fared better (NH) because more of the leaves have dropped already...good thing too, cuz we got more snow. :roll: If your machine is computerized, I'd pass on the generator.

I have used an older machine... not computerized with no problems. I wouldn't even try the new ones on one!

I do when we are camping.

yes I have a few times at camp and when our power at home was out. :thumbup:

We used to live in an area, that always had power failures, due to a very old transfer station. Hubby would turn on the generator, but it was strictly to keep the refrig and freezer on and one old tv. No computers! I refused to chance my sewing machine even though he would say it was ok. Its kind of iffy. Maybe some handwork at this time to keep withdrawal at bay!

I don't have a generator, but when I do have a power outage I revert back and use my Grandmother's treadle machine. She taught me to sew on it and willed it to me at her death. It is a challenge to see how long it takes me to into the rhythm of moving my feet to get the needle to work.

NO!!!!!!! don't use it on the generator the power is different then what you get from the power company and if you have a new electronic /computerized machine it will mess it up. It could burn up the circuits.

sounds like a good time to cut and organize or some other task. Depending on what is running etc you may damage your machine- is it really worht risking a major repair or complete destrution

Back in the late 80's we had to live off a generator for 2-1/2 years while we were building a new house in California. I never tried my sewing machine, but it sure ruined our refrigerator, so if you have an expensive machine I wouldn't try it. This might be a good time to learn hand piecing or hand applique.

Yes, I have. My generator runs on LP gas, and we put it in with enough capacity to do the whole house. We have had outages that lasted 3-5 days at a time over the lasr few years to loose too much from the refrigerator and freezer everytime it goes out. Once was the dead of winter at below zero temperatures, and twice durinjg the hottest heat of summer!
The newer generators are safe to use, because they are connected to the electric box to supply power to all the fuses for the house.
Yes they have a regulator in the pipes between the LP tank and the generator. It monitors the flow. Here in Illinois your hookup has to pass the power company's inspection for safety before you use it.
Now the gasoline powered generators, I don't know about them.

Seems like the perfect time to try some hand work.

We have honda 4000 watts and my husband says its is Ok and will not hurt it. I just ask him.