I had a needle come loose on my machine while I was embroidering. It didn't sound right so I turned and said "what the - oh my, the needle fell out!" Took me another couple seconds to stop it (but these machines stitch so fast!). Got ahold of the needle and put back in place and backed up the stitches to where it would have stitched last and continued.

I have had this happen and broke the needle before I could stop the machine. my arthritic fingers can't always tighten the needle enough. There is no groove for a screw driver on my screw. So I do the best I can.

1 comment

by nhsmith55 02 May 2012

I also have arthritic hands, so when I can't loosen the screw, I keep a pair of small pliers handy. I've never tightened the screw with them. I'd be afraid of getting it too tight!

The tech that fixes my machine said to always give the screw that holds the needle a little turn with a screw driver instead of just finger tightening. Glad you didn't have a problem when you found it.

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by shirley124 02 May 2012

I always tighten my screw with a scwer driver. Would'nt rely on my fingers.

That is the very reason I never leave my machine unattended. For some reason the screw that holds the needle comes loose often.

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by katydid 01 May 2012

You got it sweetie!!

Thanks for all your comments - flowers for all. I've never had this happen before. Hopefully never again.

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by blueeyedblonde 01 May 2012

oops - didn't mean to end up putting this ttt - meant to use the add comment on someone's comment.

Scary, surprised it didnt break or bend- nice catch
I can hear it too when machine is out of wack.

Linda, you were very lucky - usually it will break or bend the needle, too.

It does make your heart stop doesn't it. I had mine come loose a couple of days ago, and at first I panicked thinking I just ruined my machine, then realized the needle was setting on top of the material still. Whew-

I had my embroidery foot come off once and it broke the needle when it came down on the foot which landed sideways, apparently the piece I was working on caught on the foot lever and lifted it..
scary & panicky when it happens all of a sudden like that, so I know exactly what you mean!!

Glad it turned out ok for you. If I have a design with a lot of stitches that takes a long time to stitch I will check the needle to make sure it doesn't vibrate loose usually a couple of times during the process. Most times during a thread color change. This saves problems. If in the past I would wind up with a hole from a needle break or getting loose I have been able to save by putting a small piece of fabric and stabilizer under the hole, backing up machine to several stitches prior to where the hole occured and restitching. This only works if hole is not real large but if done correctly no one ever knows what happened./Lillian

You are so lucky that it didn't catch on something then break. Amazing how your machines can tell you that things are not right by their sounds.

Thank God you retrieved the needle before any damage was done. Scary though, wasn't it?
Meri

good thing you were listening with your sewing machine ear!

You were lucky that it worked out and had a good ending!

Quick thinking and I think you were very lucky. Well done. Sarah.

Yep, gremlins that loosen that screw, they also mess with my embroidery foot, so I really need to keep an ear when I am not sitting and watching! LLDS!

Luckily for you, that you were quick thinking and didn't stall in saving your needle.