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.

I cleaned it all out and found nothing. It's sewing just fine...for now.

I was just pressing a Baby Quilt and felt something sharp on one of the blocks!! Sure enough it was the tip of the needle I broke!! Sure glad I found that. Baby gets here today that could have been a disaster!!! so I know now to really make sure If I break a needle I always look for All the Pieces. I've had them get stuck in my feed dogs while I'm FMQ

I broke a needle on my diamond.....very thick elastic edge with a very dull needle. Totally my fault. I never did find the very tip. I took the machine apart, did a thourough cleaning. This was yesterday. I ran the machine sans needle and fabric and heard no noise, so I put it together and sewed a scrap. I think the tip went all the way to the bottom of the case. Will have my husband gently turn it upside down today to see if it will fall out. Makes me nervous. Needs to go in for a routine cleaning but I have two quilts to FMQ before I send it. I know it is not in the "works". But machines are expensive!!! Do not like to take chances with mine!

Same here - still on the thread.

You can go to any hardware and find " 3 piece heavy duty pick up tool set. It has a 2 inch mirror, alligator clip and a magnet that extends 24" in length. They work great. About $7-$8 and believe me worth every penny. I have a smaller set also. Also have a magnet that is only about 1/4 " in diameter with an 18" extension. I use the mirrors with a small flashlight so I can see in the crevices. I pulled couple stray pins out of my 401 just because I was looking at the ins and outs of my machine right after I got it. Glad I did. For the price we paid for the magnet set we bought 4 sets, 1-ofc, 1-DH house tool box, 1-sewing room and one for my go to bag.

I also have a magnifying glass with a light on the end to help look. Eyes are getting older.

I'm with ManicQuilter 2, my machine allow the bobbin case and hook to come out to be cleaned. I usually find the tip, still attached to the thread. On the rare occasion that I break a needle, I am always thankful that I wear glasses. I have had a broken needle fly toward my face.