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I spent almost $250 on my machine getting the tension roller and tension motor replaced - whatever they are.

After FMQing one of the grands ABC quilts, I slid the switch over to raise the feed dog. Did not happen. After messing with it awhile, I called DH in for his expertise. He found that if you slid the switch to lower feed dog position...then manually life the feed dog with your hand and slide the switch to raise the feed dog...that would bring it back in position.

Because I couldn't get to the LQS for a three or so weeks, that's what we've been doing. I took it in today and got an estimate of $150. Well...I'm not getting it fixed. I will continue to do that and when that no longer works, if I can still FMQ and the embroidery attachment works...that's all I will do with it.

Between my old pea-thrasher sounding Norse zigzag (a generic from the 1970s), DMs 1952 Singer in a cabinet, and my "new" 1949 Featherweight...I think that's all I'll be needing.

Unless, of course, I find a GREAT buy...

(I also have a 1980s serger...)

Bummer! After a bit, you'll get used to the routine and won't miss it all (I hope).

Wow, I didn't know you could manually lift the feed dogs. If I have mine disengaged, I have to slide the switch and take a stitch. Then it raises....one one of my machines. do you have another repair shop close by? What is the make, maybe someone here has had that happen too.

piney...who would be miffed also.

Brother PC6500

The tech explained that Brother has changed this...
When the feed dog is dropped, it continues to move back and forth cutting a groove in the plastic (Lexan) base under it...the design changed so that the feed dog would not move when dropped (or some other something or other so that it would not groove the Lexan underneath.

However, I can still make it work. If/when the manual lifting does not work, I can still FMQ and ME on it. That'll be okay.

quote:

Originally posted by KeepYouInStitches:
Brother PC6500
The tech explained that Brother has changed this...
When the feed dog is dropped, it continues to move back and forth cutting a groove in the plastic (Lexan) base under it...

Good grief *eye roll*

piney

I wonder if Brother had a recall on this and might fix it at no charge. I know early in my machine's life there was a recall of a part near the top. I brought in to the dealer and it was replaced at no charge. Is there a way for you to check for a recall on line somewhere?

Nothing sews like a Bernina, nothing.

No recall...just bad design that they have since changed.

Nothing costs like a Bernina either.
I purchased the Brother sewing/embroidery machine for $1000 (haven't located receipt yet so can't remember when but about 5 years ago). Comparable Bernina (variety of stitches, quilting use, etc.) without the embroidery attachment was $3000. Significant difference.

I later acquired a second hand Bernina at a great price and sewed with both side by side making two identical items and decided that the machines were comparable but I wanted the embroidery capability so resold the Bernina to SIL who has since traded it in for a deeper throat machine for quilting without the bells and whistles...to each their own.

Basic difference is the warranty. Brother had one year...Bernina had 10. If I'd spent $2000 for the warranty... But as it is, when I comes down to it, I have $2000 to purchase another machine at some point.

Aren't husbands great at figuring out how to figure out another way to make the machine work.

Sorry, to hear about the sewing machine issue. It is frustrating when you are ready to sew and something doesn't work right.

Nothing sews like a Bernina, nothing. When I heard that my reply was exactly the same as KeepYouInStitches. However, my experience has been different. When I purchased my first Bernina I could not believe the difference in the quality of the machine and how it sewed. Especially how the feed dogs worked sooo well. I have sinced purchased another Bernina (second hand) and would not go back to any other machine. I have had the top of the line Pfaffs and Vikings and I agree....nothing sews like a Bernina. Pricy yes, but I have had nothing but GREAT service from my dealer with tons of lessons and incentives and genunine caring. I never knew the dealer before I became a Bernina girl and I certainly never had anywhere near the support from the other 2 dealers. Sooo SERVICE is a BIG factor in my book. And I love my Bernina!!

I found the manual and receipt while doing a bit of stash closet straightening up...
July 2, 2004
So it's a bit over 8 years old.
Got it on sale for $1,000 even...just put $248 in it a couple of months ago. I won't put any more money into it...

When I initially started looking for a new machine I fully intended to purchase an embroidery machine AND a sewing machine. I bought the dual purpose instead. So if this gets to where I can't manually manipulate the feeddog, I'll just set it aside for FMQing and embroidery.