Originally Posted by Radiana

I'm just sick about what happened last night to my new sewing machine. I bought myself a Brother SE400 for Mother's Day and I was so happy with it. It wasn't ideal for quilting any large projects but I loved it for piecing.

I made a terrible mistake by getting a quarter inch presser foot that I knew could be a problem because it had to have the needle in the middle position. I thought I would be very careful in making sure to align it correctly. In the back of my mind I knew I was playing Russian roulette. Sure enough it happened last night, the needle came crashing done on the presser foot.

I thought it would just be a matter of replacing the needle but I tried two new needles and both broke and the machine is just not working.

I was crying a little after it happened because I know it won't be covered by the warranty and God knows how much it will cost to fix.

Has anyone ever had this happen and if so were you able to have it fixed?

I feel so sad because yesterday was a really good day for me, I was missing the grandkids and all of a sudden my son brought them by for a couple of hours. It was such a blessing to me and after they left I was working on the quilt and thinking how nicely it was coming together.

Thanks for letting me cry on your shoulders.

Originally Posted by Grandma Mary

I really hope you can get your machine fixed without too much cost. If you do, the following might help you out when you begin to sew again.
Does your machine have the computerized stiches? I have a Brother CS6000i, and when I turn it on, it automatically sets the needle to the left (00 on the computer screen). To center it, I put it at 01.

However,when piecing I use the number 37 (the picture shows a stitch line to the right with a small P [for piecing]next to it). If you line your fabric up with the edge right under the right side of your J foot, you will have a perfect scant quarter inch.

My "beginning quilt class" instructor helped me figure this out. She also taught us to use "mole skin" strips to lay on your machine next to the foot to get your scant quarter inch, so on my machine I just laid it right next to the foot, and a little toward you so that you have a guide to line up your fabric as it goes to the needle. I used this method for a long time until I was comfortable just sewing without it.

Mole skin (or foot pads) can be found by the Dr. Scholl's foot pads in stores, and it comes in 4-1/4" by 3-1/4" pieces that have a sticky side. It's about 1/4" thick. You can use your rotary cutter to cut a tiny strip, (about 1/4" wide and 1-1/2" long), take the backing off and just lay it down on your 1/4 or scant 1/4" measurement. You can guide your fabric right through and have perfect seams. It can be taken off and reused over and over, and once you wear it out, just cut yourself a new piece.

I hope this makes sense! Good luck!