Quiltingboard Forums

Quiltingboard Forums (https://www.quiltingboard.com/)
-   Main (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/)
-   -   Uh-oh! (https://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1/uh-oh-t36259.html)

ginnie6 02-07-2010 02:18 PM

I may have a problem here...my 5yo just dropped one part of a snap down into the hole at the bobbin winder. It won't come out. I tried turning the machine upside down and can hear it rattling around. Taking my machine in right now is not financially possible either. Do you think it will hurt anything? I am super stressed out right now and dealing with a difficult teen...if I can't sew I might explode!

PurplePassion 02-07-2010 02:27 PM

What kind of a machine do you have? computerized ? Can you take the bottom off?

littlehud 02-07-2010 03:03 PM

Have you tried using the bobbin winder. Does it work.

Chasing Hawk 02-07-2010 03:06 PM

Yeah it would help if we knew what kind of machine.

MadQuilter 02-07-2010 03:15 PM


Originally Posted by littlehud
Have you tried using the bobbin winder. Does it work.

I would not do that in case the snap works its way into the mechanics of it all and cause real damage. Right now it is just lost in space.

Do you have a thin/narrow set of tweezers? I would try to hunt it down with great care and much patience.

BellaBoo 02-07-2010 03:44 PM

You can take the top of the machine off, usually a couple of screws. All machines I have seen with top winding bobbins you can take the top off. It's the only way to fix the bobbin winder when it breaks. You can't hurt the machine by taking the top off, it's easy. Usually there are a couple of screws holding it. Do not take the wheel apart, that is where the clutch is and it's like opening a can of worms. Other than that the machine can be disassembled easy.

mamaw 02-07-2010 04:33 PM

would your hubby or anyone have a magnetic screwdriver you could put in there?

Shelley 02-07-2010 04:35 PM

If this is an electronic machine DO NOT TURN THE POWER ON!! You can burn out something on an electronics board!

Olivia's Grammy 02-07-2010 04:36 PM


Originally Posted by mamaw
would your hubby or anyone have a magnetic screwdriver you could put in there?

That's what I would try. Is the child still alive?????? Poor baby I bet he thought he was helping you keep track of the snap.

Shelley 02-07-2010 04:36 PM

And don't use a magnetic screwdriver if this an electronic machine - that could screw up your boards!

Chele 02-07-2010 04:41 PM

Deep breath, ginnie6! Five-year-old snap wizard and a teen? Hoo boy, girl! I'd try the dumping the machine upside down more. Shake, shake, shake, shake your booty! I never knew there was a hole up there on the bobbin winder. I'm surprised I haven't dropped something down mine! I hope I didn't jynx myself. Good luck!

Loretta 02-07-2010 04:51 PM

Shake real good. If it went in it has to come out.

Moonpi 02-07-2010 04:52 PM

I guess that is why some machines come with that little felt donut for spindle areas. I'd be unscrewing the top to look, with children banished from sewing area forever.

ginnie6 02-07-2010 06:40 PM

well I did turn the machine on...and move the bobbin winder. Its a Kenmore machine about 12 years old...does embroidery . Everything seems ok and I can hear the snap loose in the bottom. Tomorrow if I'm not so stressed I may try to take the top off and get it out. Where he put it in is where the bobbin winder slides over. Its not a big space but was just big enough for that snap part to fall in! And yes he's still alive! He's my baby and he's NOT a teen so still sweet! lol....

Shemjo 02-07-2010 07:27 PM

Wishing you luck in getting the snap out. These things happen.

Gramof6 02-07-2010 07:57 PM

I sure do not know, but would it be possible to maybe suck it up somehow with a vacumn? I am so sorry this happened. I would be freaking out but I do not know how to repair or do anything but clean my machine. Hope you retrieve it.

memathomas 02-08-2010 03:45 AM

get the man tools and take it apart? does the bobbin winder still move? if you unplug it and use a magnetic screw driver i don't believe it will hurt it.

ginnie6 02-08-2010 05:24 AM

I haven't tackled getting it out yet....I'm almost tempted to leave it since everything seems to work. I am going to look at taking the top off today and try to get it out though. I will just cry if something happens to my machine! All I have for back up is the treadle. I can't get to the snap with a screwdriver of tweezers. Here's where it fell in at. It now sounds like its in the bottom of the machine. I've always done all my own maintenance on the machine ( my Grannie taught me what she knew) but this may send it in to the shop when I have the money. Ds feels so bad....he says he's sorry he broke my machine.

memathomas 02-08-2010 05:56 AM

POOR BABY
GIVE HIM A HUG FOR ME

illinois 02-09-2010 06:12 AM


Originally Posted by ginnie6
well I did turn the machine on...and move the bobbin winder. Its a Kenmore machine about 12 years old...does embroidery . Everything seems ok and I can hear the snap loose in the bottom. Tomorrow if I'm not so stressed I may try to take the top off and get it out. Where he put it in is where the bobbin winder slides over. Its not a big space but was just big enough for that snap part to fall in! And yes he's still alive! He's my baby and he's NOT a teen so still sweet! lol....

If you can hear it in the bottom, are there screws on the bottom that you can get into the machine that way? I had a Kenmore (now about 30 yrs old) and the bottom came off for oiling it. I'd be reluctant to turn it upside down as the snap might become lodged somewhere that it shouldn't be. Hopefully you can get the bottom off and it will come right on through. Gravity, isn't it wonderful?!

illinois 02-09-2010 06:13 AM


Originally Posted by ginnie6
well I did turn the machine on...and move the bobbin winder. Its a Kenmore machine about 12 years old...does embroidery . Everything seems ok and I can hear the snap loose in the bottom. Tomorrow if I'm not so stressed I may try to take the top off and get it out. Where he put it in is where the bobbin winder slides over. Its not a big space but was just big enough for that snap part to fall in! And yes he's still alive! He's my baby and he's NOT a teen so still sweet! lol....

If you can hear it in the bottom, are there screws on the bottom that you can get into the machine that way? I had a Kenmore (now about 30 yrs old) and the bottom came off for oiling it. I'd be reluctant to turn it upside down as the snap might become lodged somewhere that it shouldn't be. Hopefully you can get the bottom off and it will come right on through. Gravity, isn't it wonderful?!

ginnie6 02-09-2010 06:40 AM

There is a plate on the bottom and I took it off only to find another piece. The snap has stopped rattling and I sewed most of last night. Hopefully it is stuck somewhere it won't hurt anything.

Fabriholic 02-09-2010 06:59 AM

My thought is also to try something magnetized to attract it. The area looks too small to be able to grab get in there and try to grab with tweezers. Wish I could help you ... I love trying to solve puzzles. Good luck with that.

bob1414 02-09-2010 07:14 AM

Does your manual show you how to remove the bobbin holder? I had a Kenmore and it gave directions to do so. Good luck.

BethD 02-09-2010 08:20 AM

What a bummer! I have a 20+ year old Kenmore and had a problem with thread that was totally wound up in the bobbin which I could not get loose without fear of doing damage to the machine. I ended up calling a local sewing machine shop and explained the problem (somewhere I had had the machine serviced not too long before) and when I told him the make and model he was able to walk me through how to take the bobbin casing apart over the phone and, voila, it solved the problem! Can't hurt to try.

rita222 02-09-2010 09:05 AM

try using a magnet to draw it up to where you might be able to grab it with tweezers. Good Luck'
Rita

amma 02-09-2010 09:32 AM

Awww I bet your little guy is feeling really bad.... (((HUGS)))
I am glad to hear that your machine still is working :D:D:D

My twin grands were 3 when they decided to sew some marshmallows while mama was in the bathroom :roll: The cord to the machine was put up, but one cranked the wheel, while the other "sewed the soft, gooey marshmallows." It was a good thing it was a $20 garage sale machine, as there was no cleaning it out :roll: :lol::lol:

MillieH 02-09-2010 09:44 AM

My machine manual warns to keep magnets away. If it's a computerized machine, you can really mess it up, and then the repair bill could be astronomical.

dljennings 02-09-2010 04:03 PM

if you call a sears repair place, they will try to walk you thru fixing just about anything....i have fixed my old sewing machine, my old range and my old old washing machine....good luck!


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 11:34 PM.