When you break a needle
 

Where does the tiny tip of a broken needle end up? It just occurred to me that maybe it's down under the feed dogs or near the race assembly? If that's the case, a little thing like a shard of metal could cause a lot of problems for the machine, right?

I've broken my share of needles, usually from forgetting to change feet for the proper decorative stitch, but not until today did I think where the tip of the needle might be. In my haste to get on with sewing, I guess I always assumed it just flew out somewhere, to be found by vacuum, bare foot or the sewing room fairies that make up for my oopsies.

Out of curiosity and fear, I am now about to unscrew the face plate and check things out.

Actually, I've always found the small point still on the thread. But you're right - that little point could cause a world of problems.

I turn off the machine and don't turn it back on until I have all the pieces of the needle accounted for.

I make every effort to find all parts of the broken needle. Here is an accounting of what happened when I couldn't find it

http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...t-t225317.html

I have usually found the broken tip in the bottom of the machine under the feed dog/bobbin area. I worry about it until I find the pieces too.

fortunately, this has always been my experience as well.

I've lost needles tips before in my machine. If I can't find them after searching the machine with a flashlight, I continue sewing. Yesterday, I found a needle tip that I lost under the machine. I guess it finally fell out. Fortunately, I rarely am unable to find it.

This is usually the case with me as well. Can't remember a time when it was not so. If not, I suppose I'd go on the mad search so I didn't find it with MY foot or the dogs didn't with THEIRS!

I do the same.

This is also what has occurred with my Bernina. With my machine, I can remove the bobbin case and the hook to clean out dust bunnies.