How to Overcome Sewing Withdrawals While Your Machine Is in the Shop

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Sewing machine withdrawals are real. Breathe… Deep breaths.

I threw my sewing machine out of alignment while working on a duffel bag sewing project. It was faux leather, and I was pulling and tugging when I shouldn’t… I did use a leather needle, but unfortunately, I’ve damaged my sewing machine. The zigzag stitch doesn’t look right, and the needle bar is no longer in the center.

😔 😔 😔

I took off the front panel of my machine and was able to get the needle bar aligned with a screwdriver, but it didn’t fix the zigzag stitch. The embroidery unit is also having issues. So, now I have to send my machine in for repairs.

I’m starting to get sewing withdrawals just from the thought of being without my machine for a little while.

I own the Bernette b79. It is a sewing/embroidery machine combo. I have had it for nearly two years and have absolutely loved it! This is the first time I have had any issues with this sewing machine, and it’s really my fault for sewing through several layers of faux leather and not being careful enough. This sewing machine has been a workhorse — honest! I use it practically every day…

Luckily, I bought a four-year insurance plan from Amazon when I bought my sewing machine. I’ve had my sewing machine for less than two years, so I know it has coverage, but I still can’t stand the thought of being without my machine. I know I will have some serious sewing machine withdrawals.

I filed a claim last night with the insurance plan and they sent me information for packing and shipping my sewing machine for repairs. I am scared! I hope my sewing machine can be fixed or replaced and that this whole process will go smoothly. I want to get back to sewing ASAP!

My Sewing Machine Withdrawal Plans

Since I know the sewing machine repairs are going to take a while, I thought it would be smart to make a plan for dealing with my sewing withdrawals. Here is what I plan to do:

  • Clean and Organize My Sewing Room: I have a small space, and I keep it fairly clean, so this won’t take long, but I think there is always something you can better organize.
  • Plan My Spring Sewing Projects: I’ve done a lot of sewing for other people this past year and I really want to work on some sewing projects that are just for me. To start, I want to find the perfect purse pattern.
  • Write More Blog Posts: I started SewingSociety.com because sewing is sometimes a lonely hobby and I wanted to be able to show off my sewing projects and teach and inspire others at the same time. While my machine is in the shop, I want to catch up on some of the posts I’ve got partially written. Please subscribe!

I hope my sewing withdrawals don’t get too bad… Have you ever experienced anything similar? How do you deal with it? Tell me in the comments below.

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4 Comments on “How to Overcome Sewing Withdrawals While Your Machine Is in the Shop”

  1. When my sewing machine is at “the spa” I resort to using Liquid Stitch to “sew” something if Im going through withdrawals. Itt is possible to make a coin purse or even turn a pocket book into a cross shoulder bag for your phone.

  2. I sent both my machines for service. Facebook marketplace had a few ads for decent older machines and I bought one. A Husqvarna Viking Sapphire. The lady who loved it was involved with the community and sewed dresses for infants who did not make it home from the Charlotte area hospitals. I was able to build a good platform for quilting around the freearm with a piece of Melamine and 1.5” dowels. I’ve used the machine to complete three projects. I now have my Janome 6600 Professional back, but will keep the Sapphire configured for quilting.

  3. I bought a new Pfaff 720 and I love it. I did not trade in my 15 year old Pfaff thinking I would wait if the new machine had problems I could still sew. When 720 needed a check up I was very happy to sew on the old machine. I occasionally take a class and the old machine is lighter and easier to tote around. By having a second machine I avoid the terrible withdrawal pains!

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