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Member since 5/28/11
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Posted on: 1/27/15 11:25 AM ET
I broke the bobbin case on my sewing machine. At around the same time, the pressor foot holder decided to spontaneously fall off.

When I got the new bobbin case, I discovered I was missing the screw that holds the pressor foot holder in place. I looked around and even shook the machine upside down, but nothing came out.

I got a replacement screw, put everything back together, and tried operating the machine. The thing made a thunking noise, even after I removed the needle and bobbin case.

I put the needle back in and tried to sew, and it wasn’t picking up the bobbin thread.

Then after a bit (don’t recall what if anything I did), it was OK on a straight stitch, but not so good for other stitches.

At the moment, it seems to do OK on wovens with any stitch, or with straight stitches only on my stretch knit jersey. It seems as though there is some trouble with the feed dogs not moving the knit fabric along if I do anything other than a straight stitch, at least on my stretch knits.

Suggestions? Would love to avoid servicing if possible, but I’d like to use other stitches with my knits at times. There was obviously a problem at one point, which seems to have partially resolved itself. I am stumped.

And I don't sew enough to know what's "normal" for my machine.

BTW, any suggestions for how to deal with the curly edges of rayon-lycra knits that doesn't involve stabilizer? Makes it hard to do the hems!

TIA,
Liz
UPDATE: Now it can do other stitches on stretch knit jersey, but puckers. So I don't know if it's me or the feed dogs.
-- Edited on 1/27/15 at 1:09 PM --
  
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Posted on: 1/27/15 11:40 AM ET
I'd take it in for service as soon as possible.

On the knits, spray starch helps.
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Debbie
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Posted on: 1/27/15 4:11 PM ET
In reply to Liz1968
That missing screw might be down in there and causing an issue...I would take it in for a look. I wouldn't use it.
What machine is it?
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Member since 5/28/11
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Posted on: 1/27/15 4:52 PM ET
It is a Brother PC420-prw.

have been using with straight stitch all day. seems ok, mostly, but then I'm not the best sewist.
  
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Posted on: 1/27/15 6:13 PM ET
"if it weren't for bad luck, I'd have no luck at all" was an old song from the TV show Hee Haw!

Take the machine in for service and make sure the person writing the service ticket has all the details of what has happened and what you are now experiencing.

Put your name, address and phone number on the machine, power cord, pedal...anything that is not attached by the factory. Take only the foot necessary for testing and keep everything else at home.

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Member since 2/7/13
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Posted on: 1/27/15 8:18 PM ET
In reply to Liz1968
It sounds like you have a decent machine so maybe worth having an expert look. For me I would remove the throat plate ( usually one or two screws) making sure not to misplace them. Take out the bobbin case . Use a pipe cleaner to clean out any thread or fabric fuzz behind , around or under the bobbin case. One of my machines will jam up right away if there is even a tiny piece of debris jammed down there. Are you sure there is not a broken needle piece down in the feed dogs or under.
Just remember to be very gentle w/it. It may cost at least $80 for a service fee to have it looked at but worth it on an expensive machine.
  
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Posted on: 1/28/15 9:01 AM ET
Thanks for the input, everyone. I still don't know. The problem seems to have mostly resolved itself, but I just don't know.
  
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Posted on: 1/28/15 10:22 AM ET
In reply to Liz1968
A troublesome machine can turn a lot of people away from sewing. You have gotten good advice to have it looked at. There might be a repair, or maybe it's a problematic machine and time for an upgrade.
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Posted on: 1/28/15 11:40 AM ET
In reply to Liz1968
Anytime anything or everything does not function on a sewing machine or serger----that I can't resolve correctly, I take it in for service.

Your machine sounds like it needs professional service…..
-- Edited on 1/28/15 at 11:42 AM --
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Angie Rose
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Posted on: 1/28/15 11:50 AM ET
You should take it in. Or, you could keep sewing and when something breaks, replace the machine.
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