What's missing? Why, that would be my less-than-a-year-old gazillion dollar Bernina 740 sewing machine. On Saturday, I was sewing a straight stitch through two layers of quilting cotton when suddenly my needle broke and the machine stopped working. I didn't sew over any pins or other objects. When I changed out the broken needle and tried to sew again, no go. The needle was now hitting the hook/bobbin holder thing. Everything was out of alignment. After an hour of my husband and I tinkering with the machine to see what was the problem, we admitted that the issue was beyond our capabilities.
I posted on the Bernina 700 Series owners Facebook page (which is very helpful, by the way) and a couple of people suggested that I had a "timing issue". Whatever it is, my husband had to drop my machine off at the dealers, over two hours away from my house. With any luck, I will get it back by next weekend. Right?
So, I turned back to my reliable old Bernina 153. Which evidently was in a terrible snit about being replaced by the new Bernina 740. And guess what? When I attempted to use it, it was making a terrible noise and the tension was all messed up. I couldn't sew on it.
Not to be foiled, I headed out to the garage where I keep my "traveling sewing machine". I've never had a lick of trouble with this little Janome Gem in all the years I have had it. I set it up, determined to sew. It was acting weird, and the foot pedal would not work. It turns out there is a "Stop/Start" button on the front of the machine, which somehow had gotten pushed in. If you use that button, you can sew by manually pushing the button to sew and stop sewing, thus eliminating the foot pedal. Once I figured out the button had gotten engaged, I was able to sort out that problem.
I sewed for a few minutes using the foot pedal, and got up to trim some blocks across the room at my cutting table. Across the room. While I stood trimming flying geese units at the cutting table six feet away, suddenly, the Janome started sewing. Fast. Like a deranged and possessed sewing machine. With no one operating it.
By this time, I was ready to concede to whatever poltergeists were taking over my sewing room. Reason prevailed though, and I thought to pull the plug on the Janome, which thank heaven's stopped sewing on its own. I have never heard of such a thing, have you?
Wish me luck this week. This could work in my favor. Maybe I will come home from work and find all those flying geese sewn up.
72 responses to “Bernina Blues”
The same thing has happened with my Janomes-it was a defective foot pedal-easy enough to replace. Good luck!
The same thing has happened with my Janomes-it was a defective foot pedal-easy enough to replace. Good luck!
The same thing has happened with my Janomes-it was a defective foot pedal-easy enough to replace. Good luck!
Holy cow! What a kerfuffle with your sewing machines! Clearly, you were not meant to sew that day!! Sorry for the bothers.
Hugs!
Holy cow! What a kerfuffle with your sewing machines! Clearly, you were not meant to sew that day!! Sorry for the bothers.
Hugs!
Holy cow! What a kerfuffle with your sewing machines! Clearly, you were not meant to sew that day!! Sorry for the bothers.
Hugs!
I have the same Janome so your issue had me on high alert. I haven’t had any problems in the 8 or 9 years I have had it. I only use the Start/Stop button tho’ and love it. It took a little getting used to but now wouldn’t go back to the foot peddle or the knee lever. Do you remember those?
I have the same Janome so your issue had me on high alert. I haven’t had any problems in the 8 or 9 years I have had it. I only use the Start/Stop button tho’ and love it. It took a little getting used to but now wouldn’t go back to the foot peddle or the knee lever. Do you remember those?
I have the same Janome so your issue had me on high alert. I haven’t had any problems in the 8 or 9 years I have had it. I only use the Start/Stop button tho’ and love it. It took a little getting used to but now wouldn’t go back to the foot peddle or the knee lever. Do you remember those?
its the foot pedal, I replaced it (actually my Janome guy did it for free) and it works like a charm now
its the foot pedal, I replaced it (actually my Janome guy did it for free) and it works like a charm now
its the foot pedal, I replaced it (actually my Janome guy did it for free) and it works like a charm now
Definitely not a sewing day!
Definitely not a sewing day!
Definitely not a sewing day!
That is just crazy! Hope you get your machine back quickly! So frustrating!
That is just crazy! Hope you get your machine back quickly! So frustrating!
That is just crazy! Hope you get your machine back quickly! So frustrating!
It is definitely the foot pedal for the little Janome. I have one and several of my friends also. After sewing a bit, this machine keeps on sewing after you take your foot off the pedal. Janome needs to come up with a better foot pedal option for this great little machine.
It is definitely the foot pedal for the little Janome. I have one and several of my friends also. After sewing a bit, this machine keeps on sewing after you take your foot off the pedal. Janome needs to come up with a better foot pedal option for this great little machine.
It is definitely the foot pedal for the little Janome. I have one and several of my friends also. After sewing a bit, this machine keeps on sewing after you take your foot off the pedal. Janome needs to come up with a better foot pedal option for this great little machine.
Aha! A great week to get your cutting done!
Aha! A great week to get your cutting done!
Aha! A great week to get your cutting done!
Wow, scary sewing week. Honestly, new computerized machines are awesome but expensive and finicky! I use an aluminum Singer 301 from the 50s. No belt, just gears so you CANT throw off the timing. They sew on any old thread and have a beautiful straight stitch. Most of my sewing IS straight stitch so I use these machines for most of my sewing. You can find them on Craigslist if you keep watching. I have bought them for $ 30- 50
. Best money I ever spent!
Wow, scary sewing week. Honestly, new computerized machines are awesome but expensive and finicky! I use an aluminum Singer 301 from the 50s. No belt, just gears so you CANT throw off the timing. They sew on any old thread and have a beautiful straight stitch. Most of my sewing IS straight stitch so I use these machines for most of my sewing. You can find them on Craigslist if you keep watching. I have bought them for $ 30- 50
. Best money I ever spent!
Wow, scary sewing week. Honestly, new computerized machines are awesome but expensive and finicky! I use an aluminum Singer 301 from the 50s. No belt, just gears so you CANT throw off the timing. They sew on any old thread and have a beautiful straight stitch. Most of my sewing IS straight stitch so I use these machines for most of my sewing. You can find them on Craigslist if you keep watching. I have bought them for $ 30- 50
. Best money I ever spent!
I’ve had several friends who had to replace their foot pedals a couple of years ago, for the same reason.
I’ve had several friends who had to replace their foot pedals a couple of years ago, for the same reason.
I’ve had several friends who had to replace their foot pedals a couple of years ago, for the same reason.
I keep my machine plugged into a surge protector, and turn the protector off when I leave the sewing area. I have an older Bernina and one day the foot pedle overheated, and in reading online about peoples experiences with this problem on the 830 Record, one of the threads was about the machine starting to sew on its own, and possibly burning up/starting a fire. So…no plugging right into the wall any longer. I sewed on your little Janome in a class this weekend, and it was a very nice experience. Lucky you that you have some backup machines…if my goes on the fritz, it is hand sewing for me! Ha!
I keep my machine plugged into a surge protector, and turn the protector off when I leave the sewing area. I have an older Bernina and one day the foot pedle overheated, and in reading online about peoples experiences with this problem on the 830 Record, one of the threads was about the machine starting to sew on its own, and possibly burning up/starting a fire. So…no plugging right into the wall any longer. I sewed on your little Janome in a class this weekend, and it was a very nice experience. Lucky you that you have some backup machines…if my goes on the fritz, it is hand sewing for me! Ha!
I keep my machine plugged into a surge protector, and turn the protector off when I leave the sewing area. I have an older Bernina and one day the foot pedle overheated, and in reading online about peoples experiences with this problem on the 830 Record, one of the threads was about the machine starting to sew on its own, and possibly burning up/starting a fire. So…no plugging right into the wall any longer. I sewed on your little Janome in a class this weekend, and it was a very nice experience. Lucky you that you have some backup machines…if my goes on the fritz, it is hand sewing for me! Ha!
Yikes! When it rains, it pours, as they say. Nice to know you like your little Janome Gem. I’d really like to get something lighter than my Bernina for traveling and have procrastinated because I haven’t been able to decide what to get. I’ll look at this, possible possession issues aside.
Yikes! When it rains, it pours, as they say. Nice to know you like your little Janome Gem. I’d really like to get something lighter than my Bernina for traveling and have procrastinated because I haven’t been able to decide what to get. I’ll look at this, possible possession issues aside.
Yikes! When it rains, it pours, as they say. Nice to know you like your little Janome Gem. I’d really like to get something lighter than my Bernina for traveling and have procrastinated because I haven’t been able to decide what to get. I’ll look at this, possible possession issues aside.
THis is called a nightmare x 3. Good grief. it sounds so impossible. SO sorry Nicole.
Mary
THis is called a nightmare x 3. Good grief. it sounds so impossible. SO sorry Nicole.
Mary
THis is called a nightmare x 3. Good grief. it sounds so impossible. SO sorry Nicole.
Mary
What a frustrating day that must have been! I had to laugh at your description of the deranged Janome sewing machine sewing on its’ own. Pretty spooky!
What a frustrating day that must have been! I had to laugh at your description of the deranged Janome sewing machine sewing on its’ own. Pretty spooky!
What a frustrating day that must have been! I had to laugh at your description of the deranged Janome sewing machine sewing on its’ own. Pretty spooky!
Oh no! Sorry for laughing tho!! Your week is bound to get better!!
Oh no! Sorry for laughing tho!! Your week is bound to get better!!
Oh no! Sorry for laughing tho!! Your week is bound to get better!!
If this continues you may need to find a sewing machine exorcist who makes home visits! It does sound like some of your readers have the solution for the runaway Janome foot pedal problem. As they say…’one day this will make a very funny story’…but not while it’s unresolved!
If this continues you may need to find a sewing machine exorcist who makes home visits! It does sound like some of your readers have the solution for the runaway Janome foot pedal problem. As they say…’one day this will make a very funny story’…but not while it’s unresolved!
If this continues you may need to find a sewing machine exorcist who makes home visits! It does sound like some of your readers have the solution for the runaway Janome foot pedal problem. As they say…’one day this will make a very funny story’…but not while it’s unresolved!
My goodness, maybe you weren’t meant to sew right now. That is too weird!
My goodness, maybe you weren’t meant to sew right now. That is too weird!
My goodness, maybe you weren’t meant to sew right now. That is too weird!
Oh no, poor you! Sounds like your fabric fairy is in a bad mood and playing tricks with your sewing machines;-)
But kidding aside I’ve noticed that your Aurifil spool is pretty new and from my machine I know that sometimes she doesn’t like new spools (perhaps they are too fulland therefore it’s harder to unroll the thread I don’t know). And she really, really doesn’t like it if they then lay flat in the machine she likes it better when they stand. Perhaps that helps with the tension issues on your second machine.
Oh no, poor you! Sounds like your fabric fairy is in a bad mood and playing tricks with your sewing machines;-)
But kidding aside I’ve noticed that your Aurifil spool is pretty new and from my machine I know that sometimes she doesn’t like new spools (perhaps they are too fulland therefore it’s harder to unroll the thread I don’t know). And she really, really doesn’t like it if they then lay flat in the machine she likes it better when they stand. Perhaps that helps with the tension issues on your second machine.
Oh no, poor you! Sounds like your fabric fairy is in a bad mood and playing tricks with your sewing machines;-)
But kidding aside I’ve noticed that your Aurifil spool is pretty new and from my machine I know that sometimes she doesn’t like new spools (perhaps they are too fulland therefore it’s harder to unroll the thread I don’t know). And she really, really doesn’t like it if they then lay flat in the machine she likes it better when they stand. Perhaps that helps with the tension issues on your second machine.
Oh my! That is just too much misfortune for any one person to have when trying to sew.
Oh my! That is just too much misfortune for any one person to have when trying to sew.
Oh my! That is just too much misfortune for any one person to have when trying to sew.
Wow! They say more than two times isn’t just coincidence so I’m thinking you have sewing gremlins! Sounds like you’ve got it under control though, sheesh I wouldn’t even have two stars done without any of those problems 😂 Can’t wait to see your completed tabletopper!
Wow! They say more than two times isn’t just coincidence so I’m thinking you have sewing gremlins! Sounds like you’ve got it under control though, sheesh I wouldn’t even have two stars done without any of those problems 😂 Can’t wait to see your completed tabletopper!
Wow! They say more than two times isn’t just coincidence so I’m thinking you have sewing gremlins! Sounds like you’ve got it under control though, sheesh I wouldn’t even have two stars done without any of those problems 😂 Can’t wait to see your completed tabletopper!
Omg the gremlins have taken over…… Goodluck
Omg the gremlins have taken over…… Goodluck
Omg the gremlins have taken over…… Goodluck
I’m curious to know the exact name of the Bernini 700 series Facebook page. I’d like to follow it.
I’m curious to know the exact name of the Bernini 700 series Facebook page. I’d like to follow it.
I’m curious to know the exact name of the Bernini 700 series Facebook page. I’d like to follow it.
Damn! you need a sewing machine exorcist!
Damn! you need a sewing machine exorcist!
Damn! you need a sewing machine exorcist!
I also had my Janome keep sewing when I stopped. My husband took the foot pedal- and cleaned the contacts inside of it. About a year later it did it again. He just cleans those contacts– nothing fancy, and certainly better than a new foot pedal. Mine is a platnum– just one step up from the Jem.
I also had my Janome keep sewing when I stopped. My husband took the foot pedal- and cleaned the contacts inside of it. About a year later it did it again. He just cleans those contacts– nothing fancy, and certainly better than a new foot pedal. Mine is a platnum– just one step up from the Jem.
I also had my Janome keep sewing when I stopped. My husband took the foot pedal- and cleaned the contacts inside of it. About a year later it did it again. He just cleans those contacts– nothing fancy, and certainly better than a new foot pedal. Mine is a platnum– just one step up from the Jem.