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Member since 10/30/15
Posts: 144
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Posted on: 2/5/16 4:14 PM ET
We bought a new machine on 11/13/2015 and with the holidays and several quilts later, have been too busy to go to the training classes on this machine. Everything was so intuitive that we really didn't need any special training.

It is included in the cost of the machine so we might as well go. The scheduled class is 3 hours long. The machine is a Brother NQ1300PRW.

So we have a list of a couple of questions to ask, but was wondering what questions do you wish that you asked but didn't during your training session?

Sure, we can ask after the class, but which questions should we make sure to get answered while we are there? Thanks for a push in the right direction.
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Juki TL2200QVP-S Sitdown Midarm
Juki DX2000QVP
Brother NQ1300PRW
  
Member since 3/24/04
Posts: 26392
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Posted on: 2/5/16 4:25 PM ET
In reply to Clay34
DIY adjustments

cleaning, routine and advanced, including teardown of areas like bobbin case and feed dogs, reassembly, lubrication

special procedures that allow better use of features like automatic buttonholer

any known weaknesses and workarounds

any unusual use or care instructions

use of novelty threads in the machine (you might want a second bobbin case if you're contemplating bobbin work or heavy threads)

anything that's given you trouble so far, like elastic installation, inaccuracy with a binding foot, difficulty siting the beginning of a buttonhole...

  
Member since 12/3/06
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Posted on: 2/5/16 5:12 PM ET
In reply to Clay34
Sit down at your machine. Open the manual. Starting at the beginning, read and apply - no skipping around or just looking at the pictures.

Make a list of what you have issues with or just don't understand.

The instructor may have their own agenda with Q&A at the end so neither the instructor nor the class loses their train of thought.

Best wishes for many successful projects.




-- Edited on 2/6/16 at 5:33 PM --
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OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
  
Member since 5/28/07
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Posted on: 2/5/16 7:47 PM ET
I find its the things I don't do all the time that I wished I kept notes on. So if the machine has something unique to it that you may use occassionally its good to see it demonstrated.
  
Member since 4/15/07
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Posted on: 2/6/16 4:25 PM ET
What PattiAnnJ said!!
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Janome MC6700 Bernina Q16Plus Bernina 240 Juki MO735 Singer 201-2 Singer 221-1
  
Member since 10/30/15
Posts: 144
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Posted on: 2/7/16 9:37 AM ET
Training was disappointing. The trainer didn't know how to remove the bobbin case, didn't know if the machine needed oil or not, couldn't get it to monogram. Nice lady with less real info than we needed. We'll try to take another training with a different trainer at the store. They refused to tell me how to access the stitch counter. I could have learned more just reading my manual and watching YouTube or asking a question here. Everyone tells you to buy from a dealer for their expertise. I was telling the trainer how certain things worked on the machine.

Now in all fairness they have several doz machines to know and I only have one. Then again, I go to them to be the experts. Frustrating.
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Juki TL2200QVP-S Sitdown Midarm
Juki DX2000QVP
Brother NQ1300PRW
  
Member since 11/2/06
Posts: 1182
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Posted on: 2/7/16 9:49 AM ET
In reply to Clay34
I would have found that incredibly frustrating, too. And so what if they DO have lots of machines to learn--that's their JOB when they're offering lessons, right? And yeah, it's why we are willing to pay a premium and buy from a dealer--because they're supposed to know these machine. For that level of service, you could have bought online at a discount.

I'm sorry your first class was a disappointment; I would definitely let the store manager know and hopefully they will have someone more 'up' on the features for another class.
  
Member since 12/3/06
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Posted on: 2/7/16 10:46 AM ET
In reply to Clay34
Quote: Clay34
Training was disappointing. The trainer didn't know how to remove the bobbin case, didn't know if the machine needed oil or not, couldn't get it to monogram. Nice lady with less real info than we needed. We'll try to take another training with a different trainer at the store. They refused to tell me how to access the stitch counter. I could have learned more just reading my manual and watching YouTube or asking a question here. Everyone tells you to buy from a dealer for their expertise. I was telling the trainer how certain things worked on the machine.

Now in all fairness they have several doz machines to know and I only have one. Then again, I go to them to be the experts. Frustrating.



What I said earlier would have answered all your questions.

Removing the bobbin case, oiling (usually not necessary).

Sewing machines don't do the best monogrammed, but you will get better results by using a tear away stabilizer under the fabric

Sewing machines do not record stitch counts; embroidery machines do.

Yes, YouTube has great videos, but some are as inept as the "instructor" you drew (most likely a store clerk).

Learning anything new can be like learning to walk....it takes a little practice and patience.

BRIEF OVERVIEW FOR YOR MACHINE

Life with this machine will get better.





-- Edited on 2/7/16 at 11:31 AM --
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OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
  
Member since 10/30/15
Posts: 144
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Posted on: 2/8/16 7:09 AM ET
In reply to PattiAnnJ
" Removing the bobbin case, oiling (usually not necessary)." In our case it was very necessary, it looked like a small birds nest under the Bobbin case. My wife sews almost daily and even with the use of low lint type thread (Aurifil), below the bobbin case really needed to be cleaned. The trainer told me, "no one has ever asked me how to remove the bobbin case before." I did ask for one of the store techs and he showed me how to remove the case, which was simple and where to lubricate the machine. By the way, the trainer also told me that shes blows out that area with air. I have read many times on the forums that air forces the link and debris further into the machine and that using air is NOT the way to do it.

"Sewing machines do not record stitch counts; embroidery machines do." I could be wrong on this one but on the embroidery machines you can asses the stitch counter easily from the menu and regular sewing machines you have to enter the service mode to get to the stitch count and they weren't willing to show me how to enter the service mode. I need to buy a service book on this machine if I can find one. I might still be wrong, but even the service technician thought that the service department could give me a stitch count when I brought it in for service.

Thanks for the nice link, again the wife is not new to this machine, she has had it almost 3 months and sewing on it almost daily. It is a very intuitive machine that is easy to sit behind and sew. The manual is pretty good, just was looking for that personal touch that we paid for by buying from a dealer and that part, for us, with this instructor; really was disappointing.

Now we haven't given up on the shop and will try another training session with another trainer. Looking forward to the next time around. We'll get over it. The training opportunities here are unlimited so the shop says. We just have to find the right trainer.


-- Edited on 2/8/16 at 7:10 AM --
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Juki TL2200QVP-S Sitdown Midarm
Juki DX2000QVP
Brother NQ1300PRW
  
Member since 12/3/06
Posts: 10072
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Posted on: 2/8/16 9:12 AM ET
In reply to Clay34
Quote: Clay34
" Removing the bobbin case, oiling (usually not necessary)." In our case it was very necessary, it looked like a small birds nest under the Bobbin case. My wife sews almost daily and even with the use of low lint type thread (Aurifil), below the bobbin case really needed to be cleaned. The trainer told me, "no one has ever asked me how to remove the bobbin case before." I did ask for one of the store techs and he showed me how to remove the case, which was simple and where to lubricate the machine. By the way, the trainer also told me that shes blows out that area with air. I have read many times on the forums that air forces the link and debris further into the machine and that using air is NOT the way to do it.



"Sewing machines do not record stitch counts; embroidery machines do." I could be wrong on this one but on the embroidery machines you can asses the stitch counter easily from the menu and regular sewing machines you have to enter the service mode to get to the stitch count and they weren't willing to show me how to enter the service mode. I need to buy a service book on this machine if I can find one. I might still be wrong, but even the service technician thought that the service department could give me a stitch count when I brought it in for service.



Thanks for the nice link, again the wife is not new to this machine, she has had it almost 3 months and sewing on it almost daily. It is a very intuitive machine that is easy to sit behind and sew. The manual is pretty good, just was looking for that personal touch that we paid for by buying from a dealer and that part, for us, with this instructor; really was disappointing.



Now we haven't given up on the shop and will try another training session with another trainer. Looking forward to the next time around. We'll get over it. The training opportunities here are unlimited so the shop says. We just have to find the right trainer.




-- Edited on 2/8/16 at 7:10 AM --

To clarify: Reading the manual would have shown you how to remove the bobbin case and clean the area. Although oiling/lubricating is done by a tech and not the user, some users put a drop of oil in the center of the bobbin case if the machine has a top loading/drop in bobbin case.

I have had dealers say they use canned air and so do I by aiming the "straw" away from the device. Your choice. There is also a device that attaches to the vacuum cleaner for cleaning computers and sewing machines. I find it bulky and cumbersome to use, but you may not.

You can ask the service department for the stitch count if you think this is really necessary to know.

If this is a new machine, it has a warranty and service is the main reason for buying from a dealer. Not all dealers will service what they have not sold, especially warranty work. The owner tinkering with the machine could void the warranty.

Dealers in the US usually offer one "get acquainted with the machine" lesson; bobbin winding and threading is about it. Some offer classes, which have a fee.

Lifting the presser foot first when threading can eliminate the bird nests under the needle plate.

Best wishes to your wife for many successful projects.







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OLD CHINESE PROVERB: I HEAR & I FORGET; I SEE & I REMEMBER; I DO & I UNDERSTAND.
  
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