Scrap Fabric Sewing Projects

By admin, March 10, 2010 6:02 am

Is it worth it to take my broken Sewing Machine for repair, or should I just get a new one?

This is the machine I own:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Brother-50-Stitch-Computerized-Sewing-Machine-Limited-Edition-Project-Runway/8798084

It’s about $140. It’s broken. Would it cost more than that to get it fixed? Should I just scrap it and buy a new one?

**It broke because fabric got caught in it, and the needle is now misaligned. It doesn’t line up like it should, it just comes down on the wrong place**

Thanks!!

If you’ve bent the needlebar, it’s probably not worth the repair cost. If you bent the needle (typical of a big jam), replacing the needle should fix it. If you knocked the machine out of time, it will need to be re-timed, which is a normal part of a COA (clean-oil-adjust, aka “sewing machine tuneup” around here. That’s about $70-80 around here.

Here’s how you check if the machine needs retimed: Put in a new size 80/12 needle, making sure it’s fully into the needleclamp. Then compare to the diagrams at http://tinyurl.com/smtiming (which is
http://www.sewusa.com/Sewing_Machine_Repair/Sewing Machine Hook Timing.htm) If you’re really patient and good at tinkering you may be able to retime the machine yourself, but it’s sure easier if you can find someone willing to teach you.

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