Ok so I am an idiot! UPDATE I have had my repairman come to my house & it turns out that I have two plates one for sewing & one for embroidery & for the last 3 years I have been embroidering with the regular stitch plate. I had no idea. You can't begin to understand how relieved I am that it is that simple & not something I was doing wrong. I was afraid that my memory loss was restricting me some how & the way I was sewing was all wrong. I am so fortunate to have dealt with this fellow for as long as I have had Janome machines & even more fortunate that he came over & sat @ my kitchen table & walked me through each step. Of course hubs had to be here as with any short term memory loss I have already forgotten most of it. I did however ask about stitching key fobs with the Marine Vinyl & he recommended a denim needle & I will follow his advice & try that instead of giving up on them altogether. What a relief!

I do the same thing. I've been embroidering with the bobbin thread going in the wrong direction for 14 years, Never could figure out just what caused all the trouble with loopies among other things.

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by pldc 05 Oct 2015

I have done that too sigh............good thing we can still learn something new lol

You aren't an idiot. We all have little things that we don't grasp immediately. I read that the average person has to read/hear something 6 times before they learn it.

I am so happy you solved your machine problem. As for your memory loss don't let it get you down. My DH has this problem due to a medical condition and we have printed out step by step instructions in his own words and laminated the pages. Like all men in a house he is King of the remote control for the TV but on a bad day he can't remember how to use it. Even changing channels is a challenge, This way he can follow his own directions and blame the TV for playing up again.
You are amazing with what you do the projects you show us I haven't even attempted because I think they might be too hard for me to work out.

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by pldc 05 Oct 2015

I have nothing to loose by trying so I do & sometimes it works out & sometimes it doesn't but I am happy to know that I tried. Go for it what's the worst that can happen it doesn't work so try something else. You do wonderful work & often inspire me. ~hugs~

I am so glad you found a simple solution from a special kind of son. He sounds like one in a million. I know what it is like to have a memory problem and not looking forward to it again when it happens due to my age. About 30+ yrs ago I was hit from behind by a VW. I was stopped at a light and saw her coming. There was a car with 5-6 young people in it in front of me. I put my foot on my brake hard and took the full impact. I knew those young people had their whole lives ahead of them even though they were only about 15 yrs. younger then me. For months I had to keep a city map on my car seat just to find my way around and at work I had to teach myself my job again. I had a binder that I kept with complete instructions on how to do everything because my job was constantly changing; so I was lucky as no one knew of my memory problem. I kept accounts on multi-million dollar govt. jobs and I was so afraid I would forget something. I used to sit and cry at times because it was so difficult. But things got better. Now I just sit and wait for my age to do it to me again. My housemate doesn't understand why I keep a binder on how to do things and at times makes fun of me for doing it. I just know there may be a day I will need those directions and smile when he ridicules me. Bless you and stay strong.

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by pldc 05 Oct 2015

you are doing exactly what I do write it down!!!!! Forget about the nay sayers life is hard enough without people putting you down. You go right ahead & keep doing what your doing! By writing it down you are cementing it in your memory bank so if you do forget once you read your writing it will come back to you & make it easier to do the task @ hand. I will never forget trying to stitch something my first try @ the machine after my surgery............I could not remember how to thread it. I cried my heart out & then I came here & asked & I will always be grateful for the help I have received here. I truly believe it helps with my recovery since I think stitching is part of my therapy lol fun therapy right. ~hugs~

I can so relate to this after a mild stroke last year , the memory is not as good as it was , I have had my machine for several years and know it backwards or so I thought , I am very very lucky my wonderful son is a Bernina Techician , he is so good just shows me things over and over again , gives me a hug and says" if I have to show you Mum 50 times I don't care I'll show you " .
I agree a good repairman is a rare fine but it even better when it is you son . Happy sewing .

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by pldc 01 Oct 2015

OH HOW WONDERFUL THAT HE IS SO PATIENT! You are blessed. ~hugs~

by pennyhal2 03 Oct 2015

Your son is just wonderful. You raised him with love in your heart, and he is showing you the love in his heart for you. Your post made me teary.

Wow I am glad it was nothing serious! Now you can sew on !!

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by pldc 01 Oct 2015

yes I can thank you so much ~hugs~

What a great result. He is a serviceman worth keeping, for sure. i think he'll be guaranteed some great treats from you for years to come. You're probably not the first person to have discovered the foot plate issue the hard way, either. I'm so happy for you, now that you have ironed out that particular issue :)

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by pldc 01 Oct 2015

ah thanks so much, I do so appreciate it ~hugs~

Loralye, I am so happy that this was sorted quickly for you, i have an embroidery/sewing machine which i just use for embroidery. Also a sewing machine that i just use for sewing and an overlocker. Fortunately i do not have to change the stitch plates so have not had any problems, and am also looking for another embroidery only machine. Santa may be good to me this year, and i will find another one. I do not think i would have remembered also to change the stitch plates, your not alone and your not an idiot, i think we get so wound up in what we are doing we all forget sometimes. Happy stitching. Sandra.

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by pldc 01 Oct 2015

I think that I may use this one for just embroidery & the little one for sewing but I am going to make a post it to stick on the little one to remind me, I know I won't remember otherwise

I am so glad it was something simple. You are very lucky that the repairman will come to the house.

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by pldc 30 Sep 2015

he is super nice & knows his stuff. I am very fortunate, ~hugs~

So glad you found what the problem was. And mechanic came to your home...you must have a great reputation for kindness. Hugs, Suzanna

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by pldc 30 Sep 2015

well I do have cookies & coffee for him every time so maybe he just likes my cookies lol ~hugs~

We're never too old to learn something new. sounds like your day was a success.

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by pldc 30 Sep 2015

yes it was a relief to learn this was an easy fix. Thank you ~hugs~

So happy for you Loralye. How wonderful that your mechanic came to your home. Maarten my mechanic came to my place when I originally purchased my machine and walked through all the modules etc. I've never used anyone else for my machine. Now on to the marine vinyl I'm sure you will nail it! Love Chris

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by pldc 30 Sep 2015

thanks Chris I am looking forward to giving it a try. Today has been long for me since I was stressed about my machine so didn't get to try but I have not given up now since he mentioned this to me. ~hugs~

At Viking new owners class for my new to me DDD they told us we could use the stitch plate that came with our machines or purchase a straight stitch only one that helps stop little bitty pieces from going down into the bobbin area and another one for ummm yeah lol I forgot oh I know something else lol the one that comes with the machine is in mm and the others are in inches. That's it. The second just replaces the one with mm markings!
Hth Lee

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by pldc 30 Sep 2015

one of mine is for straight stitching & the other one is strictly for embroidery & now that I know this I will keep one for just that & try to remember when to change it on my other machines

Hurrah! Another mystery solved. Now back to serious stitching.

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by pldc 30 Sep 2015

you inspire me Betsy! thank you ~hugs~

Great news, I am so happy for you,
Hugs Pam

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by pldc 30 Sep 2015

thank you Pam I really was worried & got myself into such a state. I am glad that it is fine........I am relieved that it is not my fault an such an easy fix. ~hugs~

OH, so glad to hear it wasn't nothing major going on with your machine. I'm sure you are so happy. Memory is something that goes..... I try and keep notes in my embroidery notebook that I keep with each design that I stitch out for anyone... I always write down where it is at (saved) and then the colors I used and when I used them.... I've even started writing on my test out of those designs so I'll know what that design is called so that if I want to stitch it out for someone else, I will know what it's called and the look-up where to find it at. Hope this little tip helps you out some.. it does help me.
Get well and take care of yourself... you are a wonderful person.
take care.....Mechille

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by pldc 30 Sep 2015

ah thank you Mechille you are most kind. I have to admit I did feel dumb because I never knew why there were 2 plates but he didn't laugh @ me @ all & he was most kind to me as well. I am thinking that your idea of getting a book of some kind would be most beneficial. Thank you ~hugs~

by Patricia109 01 Oct 2015

I have been taking notes on my designs and colour changes since I first bought my machine.
I thought I was being 'naughty' when I didn't record my changes and difficulties and wins...
I do not have memory problems, but I am kinda nuts on researching things to death.

Glad you finally resolved the problem...

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by pldc 30 Sep 2015

me too Kim

How good to have such a good machine dealer who is prepared to come out to your home and go through step by step what's happening. Don't put yourself down your doing brilliantly.

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by pldc 30 Sep 2015

Caroline thank you so much, some times it is hard when you don't know what you did or are doing wrong. I am thankful that it is a simple mistake & not a costly one. No charge......he is really good to me. ~hugs~

that is wonderful news.. and so nice he made a house call.. wow.. I wish my dealer would do that.. now to sew some more wonderful things.. have fun..

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by pldc 30 Sep 2015

thank you so much, I am happy it is ok. ~hugs~

Oh, how fortunate for you! My Babylock Ellageo has been in shop for 34 days to have lower shaft replaced. Finally called for status and was told Brother has said the part is no longer available. I am left floundering with no solution. So happy for you...such a simple thing .

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by pldc 30 Sep 2015

oh you poor thing I am so sorry to hear of your dilemma. I do hope they offered you a solution to this........I will say a prayer for you that a good solution comes your way. ~hugs~

by awesome1 30 Sep 2015

Yes, I will bring it home to its final resting place tomorrow. I'm sure the only solution is buying new, but I have backup for now and purchase is not an option right now. Thank you for the prayer...I've searched far and wide today.

So very happy for you my friend .I to am very forgetful but the Doctors just says SLOW DOWN CAROLYN.Hes no help lol hugs

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by pldc 30 Sep 2015

yes being forgetful is troublesome Carolyn but you are still going strong but do rest when your body tells you to I don't want to see you get run down again! ~hugs & Hearts dear friend~

by mechille 30 Sep 2015

I agree Carolyn, slow down and take it easy.