Tuesday, April 5, 2011

THIS IS NOT GOOD!!

There is always a first.....

I had a not so expensive singer sewing machine (was a great machine by the way in the 70's)

I got a real expensive singer sewing machine in the 80'.

An inexpensive Janome in the 90's

A nice Bernina in the 2000

A Pfaff in the 2000

A Horizon (Janome) just the end of last year and out of all of these I have never had to take them to be serviced. Except for this Horizon......I have only had it about four months and now it has to go to the shop.



I figure if I can tell you the good about a product, I can tell you the bad.

A few weeks ago, I broke a needle and it broke the throat plate....the one feature I loved, where you can sew a straight stitch or a ziz zag by the press of a button...the plate slides to a pin hole or opens to a bigger hole....well...that went by the way side.




Last night while working on this.... (sitting in UFO pile for months now)



and finishing this.....




My needle broke again, this time breaking the feed dogs...if you go up and see the three holes in the middle of the two long holes....it is missing some teeth.

I can not tell you how many needles I have broken over the years of dress sewing and quilting and never....I mean never have I had this happen. Needles to say, I am not a happy camper. Do I still love this machine....

YES.....

but it this happens again, it is going away, it is not worth the hassel and frustration let alone expense. I have not gotten an embroidery machine because I don't want the added expense....am I grippy today.....

YES....

This is all I could think about while trying to sleep.....
at

47 comments:

  1. Jackie's StitchesApril 5, 2011 at 6:48 AM

    I hope they fix it quickly! How did you determine some teeth were missing? I've broken quite a few needles and have never thought to check...

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  2. CrispyApril 5, 2011 at 7:10 AM

    Well that is a big pain in the behind!! I believe I would be taking it back too, no matter how much I liked it.

    Crispy

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  3. MichelleApril 5, 2011 at 7:12 AM

    Arrrggg...machine problems are no fun, especially when they are fairly new and you paid good money! I hope they get it fixed up for you and it's not a recurring problem! Good luck!

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  4. Gene BlackApril 5, 2011 at 7:15 AM

    I remember another blogger having issues with a high end Janome. I love my Babylock.

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  5. Tangos TreasuresApril 5, 2011 at 7:31 AM

    Wow that's crazy??!!! Love the UFO's!

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  6. RuthApril 5, 2011 at 7:41 AM

    That is bizarre that breaking needles would damage your sewing machine two times! I would not be happy either. The feature of it changing to a small hole is a neat one. My main machine doesn't have a small hole plate, although I could buy one, I suppose. Makes it hard to sew on some fabrics.

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  7. luv2quilt2April 5, 2011 at 8:00 AM

    It always scares me to death when I break a needle, but I've never had the break of a needle break the machine. No wonder you're frustrated.

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  8. JustCindyApril 5, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    Your UFO is going to be beautiful when finished. Love the Be block. Poor Barb and the Horizon. I completely understand your not being able to sleep. I hope whatever is wrong with the machine is an easy fix.

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  9. ButtonMadApril 5, 2011 at 8:11 AM

    Oh no! Not a good record at 4 months - hopefully you manage to sort it out and it ends up being as reliable as all your others!

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  10. Stray Stitches (Linda G)April 5, 2011 at 8:25 AM

    WOW! You would think the feed dogs would be stronger than the needle. I hope you are able to get it fixed soon.

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  11. BarbApril 5, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    I really like your zig zag black with the scrappy blocks. Great fabrics.

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  12. JanApril 5, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    Ahhhhhhhhh, I'm sorry your machine is sick and has to go to the doctor. Tell it to get well or else!!!!!

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  13. Ann Marie @ 16 Muddy FeetApril 5, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    I have broken many, many, many needles before, and it has never broken another part of the machine at the same time.

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  14. Sarcastic QuilterApril 5, 2011 at 9:01 AM

    Oh no! I hope this is an anomoly.

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  15. DeannaApril 5, 2011 at 9:02 AM

    I hate it when things do not work correctly. Breaking needles should not break the machine. Keep us posted, please. Someday I may be able to purchase a really fancy machine and I want to be happy with it. Having actual user experiences to guide me is important. And, you don't sound gripy, you sound as annoyed as I am certain you are.

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  16. PaTcHwOrK jEnNApril 5, 2011 at 9:12 AM

    So sorry Barb! Shame on them for making a machine that breaks so easily. Yep we all break needles, and replace them and get on with life. Hope you get your baby back soon. Is Daddy Pfaff around to help you out during this separation?

    Apparently I am not on the ball, a machine every 10 years, seems I am due for a new one, though nobody better lay a hand on my faithful Berninia 830 (vintage.)

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  17. Three Birds InspiredApril 5, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    I have been running my Janome DP1600 for 4 years and have had absolutely no problems. Is the Horizon causing your needles to break or is the needle breaking causing the damage to the plate and teeth?

    Either way - bummer!

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  18. IHaveANotion ~ Kelly JacksonApril 5, 2011 at 9:31 AM

    Hopefully our post will get them to replace your machine with one that is worth the money. I find it hard to believe a needle would do that on a good machine...perhaps they have a defect? I completely understand the gripping....sometimes a girl just has let the steam out :)

    Hugs,
    Kelly

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  19. YvetteApril 5, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    When you pay that much money, you expect more! So sorry you are going through this. Janome is a great company and I am sure it will be taken care of.

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  20. Bev SApril 5, 2011 at 9:44 AM

    Sorry to hear about your machine. Hope you get it up and running again. Enjoyed your other post it just put me down memory lane.

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  21. DebiApril 5, 2011 at 9:58 AM

    How awful, I can't image. My Viking Rose is back in the shop again, the feed dogs have to be replaced because they are worn down...in a year no less! I have had them replaced 3 times already.

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  22. Miss HillbillyApril 5, 2011 at 10:03 AM

    Oh, I am so worried about mine now. I finally got it home but as yet have not been able to sew on it. I wish I could have gotten out of the contract with it.
    My high end Brother embroidery machine that I traded in for the Horizon had all kinds of problems like this.

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  23. onlymehereApril 5, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    That's terrible, especially for a mahcine so new. I had my Viking for 30 years and it still runs great. It was just really hard to keep an accurate 1/4 inch seam on so I gave it to my daughter and splurged on a new Bernina 220. I love it but would also love to upgrade someday. That's going to be quite a awhile though. My friend loves her Janome but I've never sewn on one as there isn't a dealer in town. I hope it's fixed soon and that your problems stop with it.
    Cindy

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  24. WendyApril 5, 2011 at 10:19 AM

    Oh, dear ... fingers crossed for a quick, inexpensive fix!

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  25. swoozeApril 5, 2011 at 10:25 AM

    How frustrating! I hope they have a fast permanent fix for you.

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  26. Scrappy quilterApril 5, 2011 at 10:26 AM

    I wouldn't be a happy camper either. Gheez!! Hope it gets fixed quickly and to your satisfaction. Hugs

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  27. DonnaApril 5, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    Bummer! On the upside perhaps there is a "small" issue that has been causing the difficulty which the repairman "discovers" and fixes, along with the apparent issues. All will be well!

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  28. PamelaApril 5, 2011 at 10:41 AM

    So sorry about your machine! And breaking a needle is bad for the nerves too, such a shock to be sewing along and WHAM.

    I had a Singer for over 20 years that never had a problem and I've had my Viking Sapphire for two years with never a problem.

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  29. UnknownApril 5, 2011 at 10:42 AM

    OMG that is so frustrating...and expensive. Is there a warranty? They just don't make things like they use to....

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  30. LynnApril 5, 2011 at 10:56 AM

    Love your UFO! Bummer about the machine! I have heard such mixed reviews about the Horizon. I'll be interested to hear if this gets resolved to your satisfaction.

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  31. sewfunquiltsApril 5, 2011 at 11:59 AM

    So Sorry....what a hassle. Let us know how it goes with Janome Corp. ok?

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  32. BarbaraApril 5, 2011 at 12:01 PM

    Like so many other things, they are not made as well as in the past. Love your projects though!

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  33. Wacky WomanApril 5, 2011 at 12:04 PM

    Oh, maybe they need to get some bugs worked out. Maybe I will just wait for the 2nd generation on this machine (that I have already named Ruby Jean at my Janome dealer). Sigh.............

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  34. JocelynApril 5, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    Oh no Barb, this is terrible. Especially with a new machine. I hope you can get this resolved!

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  35. PattyApril 5, 2011 at 2:40 PM

    This is terrible news I'm sure this was not a cheap machine,needle break often but this shouldn't break the machine. I hope this is covered under the warranty.

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  36. SewCalGalApril 5, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    Wow. I hope it can get fixed and never has another problem. Bizarre breakage. A throat plate is typically really solid metal. So sorry.

    I did have major problems with my first Bernina 730. It was in the shop the first year more than home. I complained and the dealer was good about replacing it with a new 730 that sewed like a dream (the way any good machine should). I hope your dealer fixes it permanently, or replaces it, or refunds your money. You should find pleasure in sewing. Again, so sorry.

    Love your current projects!

    SewCalGal
    www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

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  37. ReginaApril 5, 2011 at 3:10 PM

    Oh no Barb! That's awful. I hope there is some sort of warranty that will cover fixing it. :(

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  38. West Michigan QuilterApril 5, 2011 at 3:36 PM

    So sorry about your problem, but I'm glad you told us about this. I was just looking at the Horizon yesterday. I have a Jenome Memory Craft 3000, 10 years old, and this is the first time I've taken it to the shop. Needed a new light bulb. That was when I saw the Horizon. Think I'll stick with my Memory Craft. Thanks for sharing.

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  39. JoannaApril 5, 2011 at 6:07 PM

    Wow, I'm sorry that happened. I tend to break needles because I don't change the foot when I change to zizzag,( I leave in the 1/4" foot that's narrow) but I never thought such damage could be done. I agree that a machine should have a better performance record, especially when so new.

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  40. Michelle May-The Raspberry RabbitsApril 5, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    That would drive me wonky for sure!! I agree, if it happens again, out it goes! I had a fancy smancy Bernina embroidery machine and hated it with a passion. I now have the Bernina quilters edition that I call my work horse. Love it! Only get it cleaned and serviced once a year like a doctor visit.

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  41. Robin (RsIslandCrafts)April 5, 2011 at 6:34 PM

    You have every right to be grippy today. You spent good money for the machine and you expect something like that to last longer than a few months. Have you contacted Janome to voice your concerns about the quality of their product? I would imagine that every once in awhile a bad machine gets past the check points. Hopefully Janome stands behind their machines and takes care of this for you.

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  42. Jane's Fabrics and QuiltsApril 5, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    Frustration !!!! Yep that would be the key word. Boy do I understand, I sure hope that it's sickie goes away!

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  43. QuiltSueApril 6, 2011 at 3:09 AM

    What a pain in the you-know-where. I hope it's not away too long.

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  44. JanetApril 6, 2011 at 4:24 AM

    That's a bit of a nightmare to have a new machine behaving badly, I hope it's an easy fix. Love the UFO's.

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  45. MaryApril 6, 2011 at 10:07 AM

    We at a quilt club had just had this discussion. I have a Janome, and it has two throat plates. It is a pain to remember to change them. But I love my Janome. One lady has the Janome that you can change the position of the hole. So far she likes it. I hope the problem gets solved soon.

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  46. Susan EntwistleApril 6, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    Wow! You really need to stop using those Kryptonite needles, Barb. (Or Janome needs to start making steel feed dogs >;} ). Good luck with the fixes, and if it doesn't work out, think about trading it in for another Bernina.

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  47. suemacApril 6, 2011 at 4:47 PM

    What a pain. I am glad at this point I only have an inexpensive Singer. No repairs so far and I have had it for almost a year.

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