I was deep, deep, into this project
Depending on who you ask, this is either a Paper Pieced Pineapple block or a psychedelic TV test pattern. 😉
When my sewing machine started throwing me little hints…
“GIRL, you need to get me into the repair shop for my yearly dust and clean, and hey, while he’s in there see if the repairman can adjust my “feed dog”. I’m having trouble moving your fabric under the needle!”
“OK”, I said, “I can take a hint!” So setting aside my current project I made an appointment to take her in. The repair man calls me to let me know she’s ready and I pick her up, take her home, set her up and
no lights!
Not the little bulb that lights up the stitching area nor the computer’s panel light that gives me the ability to see the programs I’ve set. Grrrrr…
I call back the repair shop and he says bring her back. When I arrive he tells me that my lights didn’t work when I brought in my machine. No sir, I said, they did in fact work as I was using the machine last night and early this morning.
He says:
“No, I checked my notes. The machine has a short in the bulb receptacle and the panel light is burnt out.”
I’m thinking to myself, What a liar, but told him, “So you’re telling me you found a short in the wiring and you didn’t fix it for my $145.00 that I paid and you didn’t tell me about it before you let me take it home?” I can see the gears turning inside his cranium as he back pedaled on his statement.
He says:
“Leave it here and I will work on it tomorrow ~ no extra charge.”
My Viking is about 15 years old. It was made in Sweden, and because all the new machines are now made in China, they are no longer making replacement parts for it. (but that’s a topic for another day) So if the computer board goes out I am skunked! I will have to buy a new machine.
PCB with testpads (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Working on computer circuit boards is a tricky thing because you don’t want to build up a static charge and *bork the whole system. It was hard to leave my friend with the fiend who put out her lights and then lied to me about it. However, as he is the only tech in town that works on Husqvarna Viking machines, well, what was I to do?
He called yesterday to let me know that he had fixed the short in the bulb socket, and that he had spoken to Viking Inc. about the light on the board. They told him that since there are no other replacement parts, that they could send him the bulb to solder in and replace the one that had burnt out.
I await the return of my little friend and hope she is once again in good shape for quilting.
My little Viking – MIA 😦
~*~*~*~
*BORK: That’s my husband’s Geek Speak for shorting out the works.
Life on the Farmlet 
That pineapple block is clearly a Martian Death Ray, any fool can see that. Poor machine, to be struggling so and her ‘doctor’ is an uncaring wretch. Computerised machines are fine until they’re not, and so often the fix is uneconomical because of the work involved. My Janome is fine so far but they don’t make the model any more. It’s only 9 years old, but it’s had a hardworking life, and one day, it’s going to refuse to get up in the morning…
Kate, those colors really got interesting when I photographed them. They really aren’t that bright in real life, LOL! I love all the fantastic things my Viking can do and if I have to replace her I know I will love all the wonderful things the new model can do! I often wonder about going with a less expensive machine, but the cost of replacing all those presser feet is a deal breaker! I love all the heirloom quality features I have the ability to perform with my Viking and will want to be able to use all those feet. Also, the new machines computer boards are being manufactured for 25 (35?) years after production. That makes me feel a bit better too. 🙂
Oh my! Having to trust that guy? That’s a test for you!
Pam, yes! If the machine can’t be made right then I will need a newer model, one that uses all the specialized presser feet I have… and I’ve found one. I just can’t really afford the cost at this time. I can tell you this, if I must replace it, then I won’t be buying it from their shop! and I will drive all the way to Nashville for the maintenance and repairs too.
Oh, this is terrible. I hope you can get a little more time out of your “friend”.
I love the pineapple block.
Lillian, it is. I am trying to be hopeful and optimistic. We shall see, eh? I’m glad you like the pineapple block. I am making another in reverse colors. LOL! I was making them for potholders, but the labor involved has me thinking of making more and using them in a table runner. While I wait for my little Viking I am felting thrift store wool for “pennies” and primitives, and making some hexies. None of which require a machine to do. 😉
Fingers crossed. Nothing is more annoying than being told that things can’t be repaired because they too old.
I know, Tom! We are such a throwaway society. It’s always newer, bigger, better. I like dependable. My Viking used to be until I let this guy ‘fix’ her.
You are hilarious!
LOL, thanks, Julie!
You have a Husqvarna? Nice!! (Colour me green; )
About your “repairman”… What’s that expression? “You can trust a thief, but you can’t trust a liar.”
Best of luck getting your dear friend back in good repair: )
Thanks, Deb. The machine was bought used with teacher bucks in California. The original owner brought it back for one with more bells and whistles, ergo being used I got it for half price. I’d had my share of Singer and Brother machines both old and new and never could keep them running at all. This honey has never given me a bit of trouble, until now, and to be fair it isn’t her fault.
I’m totally with Kate on the block being a Martian Death Ray!! How funny. That whole situation with the repairman is exasperating to me. I’m not so sure I would have handled it as nicely as you did.
Lori, I don’t actually understand why I did either. I do recall the look of incredulity I had when he said he had “recorded the details and there was a short in the lighting”. Perhaps that combined with my comments on not fixing it if he knew about it and letting me take it home were enough. Bob on the other hand had been waiting in the car on the return trip… and when I related the details he wanted to go back in and say some words! 😉
Ha ha! Just like a man… But honorable Just the same.
😀
Groan – do hope your little Viking has a chance to go on for a little longer. It’s like new cars – no sturdiness or longevity ever intended
Thank you, Annie! I hope to hear something today. 🙂
You mentioned cars, but over here it isn’t just cars. It is also electronics, furniture and even housing! I read recently that a new house will only last about 25 years due to shoddy materials and construction. And while I think a new sewing machine’s price is outrageous and worry about longevity, just imagine spending a quarter to a half million on a new home that will be wear-dated for only 25 yrs. Sick.
Whatever happened to pride in quality of product and craftsmanship?
We’ve all got to try and see beyond the dollar signs. You pay for what you get 😦
So true! There is another side to this to consider: Silent dissatisfaction. I would hazard that 90% of us when dissatisfied will not complain to the manufacturer. Instead we will throw it away and buy another one.
We need to start complaining!
And with social media as it is these days, our complaints can reach the ears of someone who might do something!
Yes, I have been finding more and more people who have been contacted by the manufacturer(s) because they blogged about a complaint! Heck, I even got some new thread from Gutermann because they found me when I blogged about Tucker eating it. 😀 So, it looks like the good ones do care and do look for us out there in the aether.
And, we need to be willing to pay for quality work or products. Too many people prefer cheap and shoddy, so it’s no wonder manufacturers are willing to provide it.
I laughed at your comments about the computer boards and such. It’s my frustration with my car. I’ve taken the danged thing in for service three times, because some dashboard light advised me that I needed service NOW!!! All that happened was that they reset the light, and said that was the problem. What a way to get you back to the dealership on a regular basis — for no good reason.
Argh! I remember that Linda! I had a car that used to do that to me too. Thankfully, Dimples (Bob’s car) and the truck don’t do that to us.
I agree about the quality of purchases. If you by cheap and it breaks right away you will be spending more to get another one. The only time we buy cheap is if it is a one time use item.
Everything I know about computers I learned from Bob, and he is self taught. First computer he ever purchased he took out of the box, turned it on, turned it off, and proceeded to take it apart! But he can diagnose, repair, replace and upgrade one easily now. 😉
hope you get your Husky back very soon, and with lights ^^
Thank you, Claire! I just can’t walk into my studio and not look at the little, empty footprint where she usually sits waiting for me. I am suffering withdrawal without my little Viking Quilt-mistress! Meanwhile, I am felting wool from the thrift stores and cutting and stitching hexies. All handwork to keep my time filled with lovely quiltyness!
Good for you for sticking up for yourself and what you know to be true! Hope you get her back soon!
Thank you, Laurie! I’ve been keeping busy with other projects, but not having my Viking in her usual spot is kind of lonely here in the studio.
I hope you’re sewing again soon!
Thank you, Patti, so do I! In the meantime I am working on some hand sewn items. 🙂