Caring for Tools

I have been having problems with my machine recently. As I may have mentioned, I have a Janome 9000, which is a workhorse. It has a touch screen and the left half of the touch screen has not been working. This is a problem on a number of levels (needle down on the left, menu button on the left, etc), but the BIGGEST problem was that I wasn’t able to modify the width and density of the zigzag stitch. This is a problem because the Tarts require a zigzag to keep the cups and cakes on the background. I had it repaired last year for the same problem and it was okay for a while, but the problem has come back with a vengeance. I finally decided I couldn’t live with it anymore and took it in to another Janome dealeron Friday.

Those people ROCK! I talked with Patty at the Lafayette Sewing Center in Lafayette, Calif. First of all, she was not condescending. Second, she believed me even when the machine behaved perfectly (the machine and I will be talking about that later!). It did eventually start messing up and she knew afer a short time that I wasn’t lying. She thought that the machine may need a simple recalibration of the screen.

Simple = Not expensive, hopefully!

They are also going to do a regular service, which the machine surely needs. I use it all the time and don’t do much more than dust and clean the lint out of the bobbin area.

While I was there I asked about the tablecloth plastic I tried to sew a few months ago. She had worked with that material and recommended the roller foot. I bought one for only $7. One of the things I love about my Janome is the inexpensive price of the feet. And I have never broken one.  My quarter inch foot got bent once and I had to buy a new one. I think I stepped on it, which doesn’t count as breaking. 😉

I am excited to try it and, frankly, I feel like I am about to begin a 3 week sewing vacation where I can sew tote bags and take a break from some of my ongoing projects. I will miss the fact that I may not be able to work on my projects – will have to see what kind of adjustments I can make to the zigzag – but it might give me some perspective.

Author: Jaye

Quiltmaker who enjoys writing and frozen chocolate covered bananas.

2 thoughts on “Caring for Tools”

  1. It is good you’ve found the right place to service your machine.

    Although I love my local quilt shop, they had my mother’s machine for a month because a part was on backorder. She just got it back on Saturday, only to learn it needs another repair which they’ve just ordered the part for. Previous to all this, she complained many times that the auto thread cutter wasn’t working. And they said nothing was wrong with it…until now, which is why it will have to go back yet again for repairs. It’s ridiculous. I keep telling her she needs to trade it in…I don’t care if it is a wonderful Pfaff. If it spends that much time being repaired, what good is it?

    I am glad for your happy find of a great place to service your machine, and a great new foot! Have fun with the tote bags!

    1. Hi Beena, I think your story is all too familiar, which is really a shame. I think honest small businesses can be very successful. I think that sewing shops are the perfect small businesses; that a large corporation could not successfully manage such a business. I do understand that a sewing machine shop requires a large investment of capital. I hope your mom gets a machine that works regularly.

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