bobbi Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 I'm just sayin'... So, I was quilting away on this little customer quilt, not a care in the world - when the machine got stuck! Needle down in my customers quilt! I couldn't get the wheel to turn and I couldn't turn it off! I went around back and unplugged it. Even then I couldn't get it to budge! I looked for my tools, my phillips in particular and all my tools are at the house I'm working on! Dang! Jump in the car, go get tools, back and take off the head cover. I see absolutely NOTHING! No threads, no dust, perfectly oiled things that should be oiled. (Needle still stuck in quilt) Went and got towels and rags to cover quilt while I sprayed WD-40. Slowly it began to move... Got it to move a bit - enough to be able to break the needle and remove it. DO NOT TRY THIS! It worked. I moved the machine off the quilt, and brushed and cleaned and sprayed and it runs perfectly again... The hook is fine - I was worried about that! Devastation avoided! Parked it for the night OFF the quilt with a rag to catch any left over oil... The thing is, that I had just cleaned it after the last two quilts... I don't' know why this happened... It feel like the wheel was the problem. I don't know. Just sayin... because I think it helps when we let each other know about problems and how to fix them... BTW - Not a mark or hole on the quilt top or back! Whew! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LadyLake Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 I'm glad you made it through that experience unscathed (the quilt, too)! When the needle gets stuck for me, and it does happen every once in awhile, it is because I was not real clear about which direction I wanted to head...:cool: so the needle flexed the wrong way and got stuck in the quilt sandwich. I generally get the pliers out, like you did Bobbi, and break the needle off to get it out, hoping that there is no damage to the quilt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quilting Heidi Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 I'm glad it is working and isn't stuck any more but that sure would have gotten me upset. I don't think I'll try it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chermitch4 Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 Oh my goodness!!!You have to break the needle to get it out!!!Hope this never happens to me!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IBQLTN2 Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 Yikes, that would have scared me to death!! glad you were able to avoid disaster!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Melora Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 This happens to me, but I figured out why for me. I tend to play with my tension a lot I will mix all kinds of threads top and bottom. I hate thread showing throw on the light side whichever that is at any given space. I pull my top thread pretty tight so I don't have the colors showing up on the back. I then move the machine too quickly which flexes the needle as it goes down. Not good. When the thread loosens the needle unflexes and gets stuck. I either have to slow way way way down my movements or loosen tension. I also tend to have my stitch regulator high for a very small stitch. Just a thought. Melora Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Linda S Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 Did you by any chance clean it with WD40 and then forget to oil it? WD40 isn't a lubricant, it's a solvent and, if you don't oil after it, it can actually be corrosive instead of slippery. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 Did the quilt have "thick" seams? The needle can get stuck in them then flex and jam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primitive1 Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 Never has happened to me, but how scarey!!!! Especially on someone else's quilt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbi Posted September 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 It's a little paper pieced basket quilt 22 x 26... lots of tiny seam intersections. I did oil too Linda - thanks - that 's really good info... On stitches showing - I learned from Jamie W. that it's ok to have a tiny "pin dot" of the color from the top thread... when you take it off the machine and shake it or put it in the dryer with a damp towel, the stitches "pop" into the batt. So far, that seems to be happening on my quilts - I've not had a problem... I think the feeling was "MORTIFIED!" This gal is kinda picky and I'm thrilled that nothing happened to the quilt! I'm going to sew on a practice piece this morning to make sure all is well! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbi Posted September 29, 2011 Author Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 I forgot to say... Many of us store things under our machines... I usually keep it all in plastic boxes... With all this business, I've gotten a bit lazy and have set pieces of fabric - IE: muslin backs, etc. on top of the boxes... When you move your machine off the quilt to use oil or spray with WD40, COVER THAT STUFF! Again, just sayin'... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtnBarb Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 Thanks for the heads up. That would definitely be a scarey time for me! Oh, I didn't know that about the WD40. I just cleaned my machine but didn't oil it. Gonna go do it NOW! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gator Posted September 29, 2011 Report Share Posted September 29, 2011 Bobbi those seams will get you, more then likely the cause of the jam. Ask me how I know??? I love to paper piece but not so much quilting over the seams upon seams. Glad everything is ok with your machine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sammi357 Posted October 13, 2011 Report Share Posted October 13, 2011 Kano Kroil. http://www.kanolabs.com/google/ It's an amazing penetrating oil, it will creep into tight places. Then I always use the machine's regular lubricant after it's freed. I stole this from my hubby for fixing waif sewing machines that always seem to follow me home! (not affiliated, yada, yada, just a very pleased customer.) s Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyA Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 Thanks for sharing. Never had it happen but now I know what to do if it ever does. Yikes. That's scary. I had needle breakage issues a while back - was the needles I was using - and I then began always keeping it in the needle up position - but I expect that wouldn't help in these instances. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LinneaMarie Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 Bobbi!!! Thank goodness!! And sammi, thanks for the web info. Actually, I saw a few things on there that I want! Like the Silicone lubricant! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WandaT Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 I am so glad to see this issue talked about. I have gotten carried away (directionally challenged) a couple of times and got my needle stuck in my quilt. The last time I had to get the DVD out and watch how to reset the hook because I manhandled the whole bobbin carriage to get the needle unstuck. I now think if this happens again, I'll get something to cut the needle, not sure if that's the correct thing. I am much more careful, it took me all weekend, a magnifying glass, bifocally adjusted (glasses you know). But I've been cruising ever since. Wanda Thomas needs a picture and a signature Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iquiltit Posted October 15, 2011 Report Share Posted October 15, 2011 You can get WD 40 now that is also a lubricant. Just letting you know Carol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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