Disboutiquers Part 30 Kids Disney Boutique / Customs Clothes psst..we sew ;-)

[nannye]

Can anyone recommend a top to go with an Insa skirt?
I really like the tops I see with that little ruffle at the bottom, always seems to fit nicely with it.
Thanks
Erin

 

[darnheather]

Is it possible to find Disney themed knit fabric that isn't insanely expensive? My local Walmart carries Disney quilters cotton but I can't seem to find knits except online that are around $25 a yard. Um, I could buy the pj's already made at that price. Might have to just go with solid and embroider something small on them.

Would flannel shorts be ridiculous?

 

[nannye]

Omg, I'm going to need to buy you all something by the time my trip is over!
I have a question (sorry!) There are a couple of complex appliques I'd like to try, however I don't want to do them on my dress in case I screw up. I'd like to do them separately then attach them afterwards. How do I do this? Should I just applique them on a separate material, say white, then cut them out? Cutting as close to the satin stitching as possible. Then do I just put them on the dress and re-stitch the satin stitching around the edges?

THANK YOU!

 

[darnheather]

Omg, I'm going to need to buy you all something by the time my trip is over!
I have a question (sorry!) There are a couple of complex appliques I'd like to try, however I don't want to do them on my dress in case I screw up. I'd like to do them separately then attach them afterwards. How do I do this? Should I just applique them on a separate material, say white, then cut them out? Cutting as close to the satin stitching as possible. Then do I just put them on the dress and re-stitch the satin stitching around the edges?

THANK YOU!

Honestly I'd try them on scrap fabric first and then on the real thing, or do it on the same color fabric cut close and use fusible interfacing. Good luck!

 

[goteamwood]

Can anyone recommend a top to go with an Insa skirt?
I really like the tops I see with that little ruffle at the bottom, always seems to fit nicely with it.
Thanks
Erin

Are you looking for a t-shirt with a ruffle bottom? Or a pattern to make one? If it's a t-shirt, I LOVE ARBBlanks.com for girly shirts. They only come in white for now, but they have a ruffle bottom one and a puff sleeve. They are great quality shirts and ship fast (though not sure about Canada.) If you want to MAKE a shirt w/ a ruffle, maybe a peasant? I did a Carla C Portrait Peasant for under one of my Irelyn dresses and added a ruffle to the bottom of the shirt, it was cute.

Omg, I'm going to need to buy you all something by the time my trip is over!
I have a question (sorry!) There are a couple of complex appliques I'd like to try, however I don't want to do them on my dress in case I screw up. I'd like to do them separately then attach them afterwards. How do I do this? Should I just applique them on a separate material, say white, then cut them out? Cutting as close to the satin stitching as possible. Then do I just put them on the dress and re-stitch the satin stitching around the edges?

THANK YOU!

Felt? I think when you see the design with a border they are done on felt. I think it is a very divisive issue in the embroidery world though to felt or not to felt.


--

And for those who have tried to help with my machine woes, I tried all your suggestions, the panty hose, the bobbin thing, etc. Here is where we are at right now. Met yesterday with the manager who poopooed the stabilizer, my designs, my thread, my bobbins and my methods. Blamed all of the issues I am having on all of the above. (never mind that this is the method and consumables that have been working for me for possibly a thousand shirts?) I sat down with her for a half hour and of course the thread did not break even once. I brought all my own stuff, and did 3 built-in designs. When I suggested I test of of my designs, she said that she doesn't trust my designs so that wouldn't be a good test and that I just need to buy their stabilizer since I am doing it wrong, and I need to take classes. Also, I needed to buy a thread stand and that would solve all my thread issues. $10 thread stand and I went home, set back up this a.m. and same issue. Thread breaks ALL THE TIME, like every 20-50 stitches. I called back and said that I would be driving to the store, with my two 3-year-olds, and we would NOT be leaving until they either return my machine for a full refund or fix it while I wait. An hour drive later, the 3 of us came in, we were there about 5 minutes, and despite my kids actually listening to me and sitting quietly on the floor not getting into anything, another lady kept giving us the stink eye and actually came up and said "it's not much fun in here, maybe you can wait outside in the parking lot, there's a picnic table." So yeah, they asked us to wait outside in the parking lot. Which we did since it was a reasonably nice day. They buffed the throat plate, since I had found a snag with my pantyhose, and I tested one of my designs there, and it stitched about 7 minutes straight, so I, stupidly, thought it was fixed. Got home and THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. I went out and bought new stabilizer, just in case that was really the issue... Of course it wasn't. I have wound my own bobbins using the bobbins that came with the machine, used my pre-wound (I am half way thru a 144 box, so 70 something have been fine) tried a dozen different needles, different packages of needles, every brand of thread I have, every one of 4 different stabilizers I have, including the tear-away that came with the machine and w/ and w/o the thread stand. Same issue. It broke 7 times in 900 stitches of the built-in design that was all straight stitching. I have shed so many tears over this and I am so insanely stressed. I have also talked to Brother directly, and ironically they called back while my kids and I were sitting the parking lot waiting. The lady I spoke with was incredibly frustrated at how I have been treated and offered to allow me to send it in for repair, but the thing weighs like 60 lbs and would cost a fortune to ship. (not that driving back and forth 3 hours round trip has not already cost that in gas!)
So I am not sure what else to do, I filed a complaint this morning with BBB and my letters to Brother Corp, the owner of the sewing store and the BBB are stamped and will go out in tomorrows mail. (I needed up update them but spent all of today either in my car or in the stupid sewing store parking lot...)

So IF I manage to get them to take back the machine, I will need to find a comparable machine. I looked at the Babylock Unity/Symphony (I think) at the expo, and decided, rather poorly I guess, to go with the Brother because the nearest service center was closer, boy was that dumb. (though no fault of Brother, and I loved the machine until the past 10 days.) Almost all my files are PES files, of course a lot come with all the formats. And I have Embrilliance which will let me convert. I know it's probably premature since it seems only an act of congress will get these people to budge on their return policy of nothing is returnable. But has anyone converted files without issues? I assume if the software saves as there should not be any noticeable difference? I have 600+ 8claws fonts ALL PES. For now, though I am a week and a half behind on all my etsy orders, and spent most of this evening sizing down the handful I had designed for the larger hoop so I can at least use my little machine. I just know staying w/ brother ties me to this place and I loathe the idea of setting foot in there again...

 

[ivey_family]

I'm so sorry, Jen! What a horrible situation! Her attitude is completely untenable! It sounds like you're doing everything possible to force a return. That's what I would do at this point, too! Perhaps a few more visits to the store with a variety of other adults who can bear witness to their rudeness?

Do any of your local news stations do consumer advocacy type stories? Maybe contact them and rat these jerks out publicly for their terrible service after such a pricy purchase?

As far as replacing your machine, have you considered a used multi-needle? For the price of the Dreammaker, you might be able to get a slightly older 6 or 10 needle with a proven track record. I stalk Craigslist for them just to see what's out there. That will be my next machine in the distant future.

Again, I'm so sorry things have been so frustrating!
Regards,
C.

 

[pyrxtc]

And for those who have tried to help with my machine woes, I tried all your suggestions, the panty hose, the bobbin thing, etc. Here is where we are at right now. Met yesterday with the manager who poopooed the stabilizer, my designs, my thread, my bobbins and my methods. Blamed all of the issues I am having on all of the above. (never mind that this is the method and consumables that have been working for me for possibly a thousand shirts?) I sat down with her for a half hour and of course the thread did not break even once. I brought all my own stuff, and did 3 built-in designs. When I suggested I test of of my designs, she said that she doesn't trust my designs so that wouldn't be a good test and that I just need to buy their stabilizer since I am doing it wrong, and I need to take classes. Also, I needed to buy a thread stand and that would solve all my thread issues. $10 thread stand and I went home, set back up this a.m. and same issue. Thread breaks ALL THE TIME, like every 20-50 stitches. I called back and said that I would be driving to the store, with my two 3-year-olds, and we would NOT be leaving until they either return my machine for a full refund or fix it while I wait. An hour drive later, the 3 of us came in, we were there about 5 minutes, and despite my kids actually listening to me and sitting quietly on the floor not getting into anything, another lady kept giving us the stink eye and actually came up and said "it's not much fun in here, maybe you can wait outside in the parking lot, there's a picnic table." So yeah, they asked us to wait outside in the parking lot. Which we did since it was a reasonably nice day. They buffed the throat plate, since I had found a snag with my pantyhose, and I tested one of my designs there, and it stitched about 7 minutes straight, so I, stupidly, thought it was fixed. Got home and THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. I went out and bought new stabilizer, just in case that was really the issue... Of course it wasn't. I have wound my own bobbins using the bobbins that came with the machine, used my pre-wound (I am half way thru a 144 box, so 70 something have been fine) tried a dozen different needles, different packages of needles, every brand of thread I have, every one of 4 different stabilizers I have, including the tear-away that came with the machine and w/ and w/o the thread stand. Same issue. It broke 7 times in 900 stitches of the built-in design that was all straight stitching. I have shed so many tears over this and I am so insanely stressed. I have also talked to Brother directly, and ironically they called back while my kids and I were sitting the parking lot waiting. The lady I spoke with was incredibly frustrated at how I have been treated and offered to allow me to send it in for repair, but the thing weighs like 60 lbs and would cost a fortune to ship. (not that driving back and forth 3 hours round trip has not already cost that in gas!)
So I am not sure what else to do, I filed a complaint this morning with BBB and my letters to Brother Corp, the owner of the sewing store and the BBB are stamped and will go out in tomorrows mail. (I needed up update them but spent all of today either in my car or in the stupid sewing store parking lot...)

So IF I manage to get them to take back the machine, I will need to find a comparable machine. I looked at the Babylock Unity/Symphony (I think) at the expo, and decided, rather poorly I guess, to go with the Brother because the nearest service center was closer, boy was that dumb. (though no fault of Brother, and I loved the machine until the past 10 days.) Almost all my files are PES files, of course a lot come with all the formats. And I have Embrilliance which will let me convert. I know it's probably premature since it seems only an act of congress will get these people to budge on their return policy of nothing is returnable. But has anyone converted files without issues? I assume if the software saves as there should not be any noticeable difference? I have 600+ 8claws fonts ALL PES. For now, though I am a week and a half behind on all my etsy orders, and spent most of this evening sizing down the handful I had designed for the larger hoop so I can at least use my little machine. I just know staying w/ brother ties me to this place and I loathe the idea of setting foot in there again...

I would record yourself sewing and show how the needle breaks constantly. If again they dispute your problems, I would go through your Credit card company.

Disputes Over Quality of Goods or Services

If you are dissatisfied with the quality of the goods or services you purchased and have tried unsuccessfully to resolve your dispute with the merchant, you can request a “chargeback” from the credit card issuer. Under federal law, credit card companies are required to honor a chargeback request only if the amount charged was more than $50 and you made the purchase in your home state or within 100 miles from your home. However, many credit cards do not impose these limitations.

You should write your credit card company's customer service department as soon as you discover the problem. Tell them that you are requesting a chargeback under the special rules of the Fair Credit Billing Act. When requesting a chargeback for a defective good or service, you are not required to file within 60 days, as you are when requesting a correction of a billing error under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. However, you should contact the credit card company and request a chargeback as soon as possible.
In your letter, include your account number, the specific amount on the statement that you are declining to pay, and the steps you've already taken to try to settle the dispute. You're allowed to withhold payment only on the unpaid balance of the disputed item at the time you first told the merchant or credit card issuer about the problem.

Generally, credit card issuers try to help consumers in a disputed transaction. Even if you already paid your bill before you discovered the problem, most credit card issuers will still consider your request for a chargeback.

The credit card company will contact the merchant to investigate the dispute. If the dispute is resolved in your favor, you won’t be required to pay the credit card company for the merchandise, and the charge will never reappear on your statement. However, a merchant can protest your chargeback request. It is important to realize that the merchant has the right under the law to try to collect from you directly or take you to court, even if your card issuer grants the chargeback.
If the merchant protests your chargeback request and after investigation by the credit card company your request is denied, you can be charged interest on the unpaid amount, although some credit cards may waive the interest.

Good luck !

 

[DMGeurts]

Can anyone recommend a top to go with an Insa skirt?
I really like the tops I see with that little ruffle at the bottom, always seems to fit nicely with it.
Thanks
Erin

I really love the smocked type corset tops with the peasant shirt under it... They look so cute with the Insa... Not sure where you can get a pattern for the smocked corset top? But I think the peasant shirt that's put under it is from the portrait peasant pattern? For all I know - it's not even those two patterns put together? I just love how it looks together though.

Omg, I'm going to need to buy you all something by the time my trip is over!
I have a question (sorry!) There are a couple of complex appliques I'd like to try, however I don't want to do them on my dress in case I screw up. I'd like to do them separately then attach them afterwards. How do I do this? Should I just applique them on a separate material, say white, then cut them out? Cutting as close to the satin stitching as possible. Then do I just put them on the dress and re-stitch the satin stitching around the edges?

THANK YOU!

I do not recommend that you stitch them on a piece of fabric first - the fabric will fray and it just won't look right when you wash it. Most people use felt - and I agree that's the way to go... but make sure you leave a nicely cut border around it, and don't trim right up to the applique stitching - otherwise it looks a little wonky.

D~ <--- who is waaaaay behind here, again.

 

[NiniMorris]

There is obviously something in the air! I have not updated with my tales of woe about my Brother repairman...mainly because I am still so mad I can't type more than a bit before I have to stop!

Some of you may remember that my Brother repair man...about an hour and 45 minutes away...is a jerk! He super glued my bobbin tension screw because he told me I shouldn't be messing with it!

I have a total of 4 Brother machines, including two 770s. They are workhorses...but can be a bit finicky. My new $500 sewing machine was sewing fine for 3 months...then all of a sudden it stopped doing button holes. It appeared to be a computer issue...because it would sew a zig zag with no problem, it would sew a straight seam with no problem, but when you tried the button hole, it would do the straight seam...then when it got to the zig zag portion it stayed in one spot and sewed until it made a birds nest...

On Memorial Day I decided it was time to call Brother...since it was a holiday, I waited until Tuesday morning to call... after 45 minutes they told me to take it in to the repair man. I took it Wednesday morning and dropped it off.

While during the check in process, the lady (owner's mom?) told me I had voided the warranty by using Coats N Clark thread... and I told her there was no such clause in the warranty. (so from this conversation it is clear that I brought it in because of warranty work.) I left with her the sheet I took my notes from the conversation with Brother...including time of call and who I spoke with. (I honestly can not remember if there was a claim number on the paper or not...because I forgot to make a copy of it!) Leaving that paper makes it clear I had spoken to Brother)

When I get the call on Monday that it was ready, they told me it would be $89.95. I said...wait a minute it should be warranty work. Nope, they have no record of it being warranty work, and since I didn't buy it from them they would not do warranty work! I reminded her that I had already brought in one machine that I did not buy from them for warranty work, she changed her tune and said I had to bring in my receipt and they would see what they could do...

Well, I did not have to bring in a receipt last time, but it only took a second to print out another copy of the receipt so off we went.

We were lucky...Husband was driving and it only took an hour and a half. When I came in they said there was no record of warranty work, and even if it was it would not have been covered...because it was ...USER ERROR!

It went down hill from there!

The fact that it worked fine for dozens of button holes before deciding to stop...it was my fault because I was too 'stupid' (yes, he used that word) to understand how to work a computerized machine, and he did not have time to give me basic sewing lessons!

There were threats of him calling the police on me (remember hubby and kids are in the car...and he IS a policeman!) He insinuated that I was going to 'steal' my machine back from him. He made comments that there is not a single notation that it was warranty work on his paperwork. If he had known it was warranty work he would have never started on it...because he 'knew' it was user error! Unfortunately for him...his employee/mother was standing there and I reminded her about the comment with the thread...and she admitted I had said something about warranty (but she couldn't remember the details) and she must have forgotten to write that down.

At this point...he walked away screaming at me.

I refused to leave. I told them I would wait until. I got satisfaction. (at this point, I would have settled for paying half the price and accepted an apology. I did not tell him this)

I stood at the counter for a good thirty minutes, then a customer walked in. She was paying for a large purchase of software. I did not say anything to her...I did not move from my spot...but the owner came out and told me he was on the phone with Brother trying to resolve my problem and walked away.

After the customer left, the owner came back and said Brother had no record of my ever calling them...I told him the date and time of call and who I had spoken to (which I had remembered...I called at 9 on Tuesday and the person I spoke to had the same name as my daughter...Amanda.) He kept saying I was lying...I repeated time, date and person I spoke with. Three times.

After another 15 minutes he came back and said I was lucky...Brother was going to pay the warranty claim... and he was doing this out of the 'goodness' of his heart!

I believe I might have said something about he was the one that was lucky but don't really remember...but I waited for HIM to hand ME the machine and left.

I will not be back there...even if he is the only repair man left in the world!

I will be writing my complaint to Brother later today.

This man is known in the area to be a jerk. Earlier in the spring we were looking at the 6 needle...and for the second time in two years he managed to convince my husband not to buy from him.... and my husband is pretty easy going and level headed in things like this.nyway...that is a short syopsis of my experience with repair on machines.

Will it prevent me from buying another Brother...no. Will it prevent me from ever walking into his establishment again? YES!



Nini
(who is going back to the job of draining the pool so I can clean and refill sometime today!)


Oh forgot to say...I still haven't turned the machine on to see if it is working yet!

 

[disneychic2]

Oh my gosh, you ladies with your nasty service people! Jen, I sincerely hope you get your money back for your machine. No worries if you then get a babylock since that's what I have and PES is the format used on those machines too.

Nini, I don't know how that guy stays in business. Calling you stupid?? What a jerk! I hope when you get around to using your machine it works fine. I don't know, but I would have been tempted to have DH wear his uniform completel with weapon and just stand there while you dealt with the donkey's behind. Just sayin'.

I hope you guys both get resolution. And soon!!

Is it possible to find Disney themed knit fabric that isn't insanely expensive? My local Walmart carries Disney quilters cotton but I can't seem to find knits except online that are around $25 a yard. Um, I could buy the pj's already made at that price. Might have to just go with solid and embroider something small on them.

Would flannel shorts be ridiculous?

I have never seen knit Disney fabric in the stores. Doesn't mean it isn't there, but I think embroidering something on plain material would work just as well. I don't think flannel shorts would be ridiculous at all.

It is a old machine. It took me weeks to find a manual and it is not precisely right because it is a
Machine that was rebranded for sale in department stores (spiegal in this case) I believe it is a Morse machine. The style is the same in areas such as the reverse button. I exercised all my data mining skills to get this far. It is a combo machine of a sort. There is a dial that sets for embroidery, silk or normal. It has a button on top that releases tension on the needle so you can move things around. When you switch to emb. It drops the feed dogs for the fabric. It says ligh weight but is made of automobile aluminum lol. I love my machine this hoop business is confusing though.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

I have no solutions for you, but hope someone on here does. It sounds like an interesting machine. Good luck!

 

[nannye]

Are you looking for a t-shirt with a ruffle bottom? Or a pattern to make one? If it's a t-shirt, I LOVE ARBBlanks.com for girly shirts. They only come in white for now, but they have a ruffle bottom one and a puff sleeve. They are great quality shirts and ship fast (though not sure about Canada.) If you want to MAKE a shirt w/ a ruffle, maybe a peasant? I did a Carla C Portrait Peasant for under one of my Irelyn dresses and added a ruffle to the bottom of the shirt, it was cute.



Felt? I think when you see the design with a border they are done on felt. I think it is a very divisive issue in the embroidery world though to felt or not to felt.
--
And for those who have tried to help with my machine woes, I tried all your suggestions, the panty hose, the bobbin thing, etc. Here is where we are at right now. Met yesterday with the manager who poopooed the stabilizer, my designs, my thread, my bobbins and my methods. Blamed all of the issues I am having on all of the above. (never mind that this is the method and consumables that have been working for me for possibly a thousand shirts?) I sat down with her for a half hour and of course the thread did not break even once. I brought all my own stuff, and did 3 built-in designs. When I suggested I test of of my designs, she said that she doesn't trust my designs so that wouldn't be a good test and that I just need to buy their stabilizer since I am doing it wrong, and I need to take classes. Also, I needed to buy a thread stand and that would solve all my thread issues. $10 thread stand and I went home, set back up this a.m. and same issue. Thread breaks ALL THE TIME, like every 20-50 stitches. I called back and said that I would be driving to the store, with my two 3-year-olds, and we would NOT be leaving until they either return my machine for a full refund or fix it while I wait. An hour drive later, the 3 of us came in, we were there about 5 minutes, and despite my kids actually listening to me and sitting quietly on the floor not getting into anything, another lady kept giving us the stink eye and actually came up and said "it's not much fun in here, maybe you can wait outside in the parking lot, there's a picnic table." So yeah, they asked us to wait outside in the parking lot. Which we did since it was a reasonably nice day. They buffed the throat plate, since I had found a snag with my pantyhose, and I tested one of my designs there, and it stitched about 7 minutes straight, so I, stupidly, thought it was fixed. Got home and THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. I went out and bought new stabilizer, just in case that was really the issue... Of course it wasn't. I have wound my own bobbins using the bobbins that came with the machine, used my pre-wound (I am half way thru a 144 box, so 70 something have been fine) tried a dozen different needles, different packages of needles, every brand of thread I have, every one of 4 different stabilizers I have, including the tear-away that came with the machine and w/ and w/o the thread stand. Same issue. It broke 7 times in 900 stitches of the built-in design that was all straight stitching. I have shed so many tears over this and I am so insanely stressed. I have also talked to Brother directly, and ironically they called back while my kids and I were sitting the parking lot waiting. The lady I spoke with was incredibly frustrated at how I have been treated and offered to allow me to send it in for repair, but the thing weighs like 60 lbs and would cost a fortune to ship. (not that driving back and forth 3 hours round trip has not already cost that in gas!)
So I am not sure what else to do, I filed a complaint this morning with BBB and my letters to Brother Corp, the owner of the sewing store and the BBB are stamped and will go out in tomorrows mail. (I needed up update them but spent all of today either in my car or in the stupid sewing store parking lot...)

So IF I manage to get them to take back the machine, I will need to find a comparable machine. I looked at the Babylock Unity/Symphony (I think) at the expo, and decided, rather poorly I guess, to go with the Brother because the nearest service center was closer, boy was that dumb. (though no fault of Brother, and I loved the machine until the past 10 days.) Almost all my files are PES files, of course a lot come with all the formats. And I have Embrilliance which will let me convert. I know it's probably premature since it seems only an act of congress will get these people to budge on their return policy of nothing is returnable. But has anyone converted files without issues? I assume if the software saves as there should not be any noticeable difference? I have 600+ 8claws fonts ALL PES. For now, though I am a week and a half behind on all my etsy orders, and spent most of this evening sizing down the handful I had designed for the larger hoop so I can at least use my little machine. I just know staying w/ brother ties me to this place and I loathe the idea of setting foot in there again...

OMG Seriously what the hell. okay seems dumb, BUT have you tried it on a different table at home? I'm sure you probably have, that would just be the only difference I could see between the store and home. How extremely frustrating to be in this situation! I'm so sorry!

I want a pattern to make a shirt. It has to be a bit more of a fitted shirt I guess. I'll check out the peasant thanks! I'll check out those blanks too for shirts. nice shirts are hit and miss. Old navy had nice ones for a while with little capped sleeves and now they just have plain ones

Hmmm I was hoping there was an option other than the felt. I am really not a fan of the felt look.

I really love the smocked type corset tops with the peasant shirt under it... They look so cute with the Insa... Not sure where you can get a pattern for the smocked corset top? But I think the peasant shirt that's put under it is from the portrait peasant pattern? For all I know - it's not even those two patterns put together? I just love how it looks together though.



I do not recommend that you stitch them on a piece of fabric first - the fabric will fray and it just won't look right when you wash it. Most people use felt - and I agree that's the way to go... but make sure you leave a nicely cut border around it, and don't trim right up to the applique stitching - otherwise it looks a little wonky.

D~ <--- who is waaaaay behind here, again.

Thanks D, I'll look at the portrait pesant for sure. I'm not a fan of the felt look I was hoping there was another option, I'm terrified of something screwing up while stitching. I'll be doing the epcot world showcase dress with all the mickey head flags on the bottom and duffy with the balloons at the bottom too, so it's not as easily done I worry one will screw up and I'll have to scrap the whole BIG skirt

There is obviously something in the air! I have not updated with my tales of woe about my Brother repairman...mainly because I am still so mad I can't type more than a bit before I have to stop!

Some of you may remember that my Brother repair man...about an hour and 45 minutes away...is a jerk! He super glued my bobbin tension screw because he told me I shouldn't be messing with it!

I have a total of 4 Brother machines, including two 770s. They are workhorses...but can be a bit finicky. My new $500 sewing machine was sewing fine for 3 months...then all of a sudden it stopped doing button holes. It appeared to be a computer issue...because it would sew a zig zag with no problem, it would sew a straight seam with no problem, but when you tried the button hole, it would do the straight seam...then when it got to the zig zag portion it stayed in one spot and sewed until it made a birds nest...

On Memorial Day I decided it was time to call Brother...since it was a holiday, I waited until Tuesday morning to call... after 45 minutes they told me to take it in to the repair man. I took it Wednesday morning and dropped it off.

While during the check in process, the lady (owner's mom?) told me I had voided the warranty by using Coats N Clark thread... and I told her there was no such clause in the warranty. (so from this conversation it is clear that I brought it in because of warranty work.) I left with her the sheet I took my notes from the conversation with Brother...including time of call and who I spoke with. (I honestly can not remember if there was a claim number on the paper or not...because I forgot to make a copy of it!) Leaving that paper makes it clear I had spoken to Brother)

When I get the call on Monday that it was ready, they told me it would be $89.95. I said...wait a minute it should be warranty work. Nope, they have no record of it being warranty work, and since I didn't buy it from them they would not do warranty work! I reminded her that I had already brought in one machine that I did not buy from them for warranty work, she changed her tune and said I had to bring in my receipt and they would see what they could do...

Well, I did not have to bring in a receipt last time, but it only took a second to print out another copy of the receipt so off we went.

We were lucky...Husband was driving and it only took an hour and a half. When I came in they said there was no record of warranty work, and even if it was it would not have been covered...because it was ...USER ERROR!

It went down hill from there!

The fact that it worked fine for dozens of button holes before deciding to stop...it was my fault because I was too 'stupid' (yes, he used that word) to understand how to work a computerized machine, and he did not have time to give me basic sewing lessons!

There were threats of him calling the police on me (remember hubby and kids are in the car...and he IS a policeman!) He insinuated that I was going to 'steal' my machine back from him. He made comments that there is not a single notation that it was warranty work on his paperwork. If he had known it was warranty work he would have never started on it...because he 'knew' it was user error! Unfortunately for him...his employee/mother was standing there and I reminded her about the comment with the thread...and she admitted I had said something about warranty (but she couldn't remember the details) and she must have forgotten to write that down.

At this point...he walked away screaming at me.

I refused to leave. I told them I would wait until. I got satisfaction. (at this point, I would have settled for paying half the price and accepted an apology. I did not tell him this)

I stood at the counter for a good thirty minutes, then a customer walked in. She was paying for a large purchase of software. I did not say anything to her...I did not move from my spot...but the owner came out and told me he was on the phone with Brother trying to resolve my problem and walked away.

After the customer left, the owner came back and said Brother had no record of my ever calling them...I told him the date and time of call and who I had spoken to (which I had remembered...I called at 9 on Tuesday and the person I spoke to had the same name as my daughter...Amanda.) He kept saying I was lying...I repeated time, date and person I spoke with. Three times.

After another 15 minutes he came back and said I was lucky...Brother was going to pay the warranty claim... and he was doing this out of the 'goodness' of his heart!

I believe I might have said something about he was the one that was lucky but don't really remember...but I waited for HIM to hand ME the machine and left.

I will not be back there...even if he is the only repair man left in the world!

I will be writing my complaint to Brother later today.

This man is known in the area to be a jerk. Earlier in the spring we were looking at the 6 needle...and for the second time in two years he managed to convince my husband not to buy from him.... and my husband is pretty easy going and level headed in things like this.nyway...that is a short syopsis of my experience with repair on machines.

Will it prevent me from buying another Brother...no. Will it prevent me from ever walking into his establishment again? YES!



Nini
(who is going back to the job of draining the pool so I can clean and refill sometime today!)


Oh forgot to say...I still haven't turned the machine on to see if it is working yet!

This is insane!

 

[NiniMorris]

My machine is NOT working!

Yuck...

Nini

 

[Iamthequeen]

I am so sorry to hear of all your problems with your machines and the poor service at your repair places. That is just unexcusable!

I just know that if/when I need to take my 770 in for servicing that the repair guy is going to give me a hard time. He told me that the biggest differences between the 770 and the 780D is that the 770 did not have a USB port - WRONG! He wanted me to buy the 780D from him - that's the dealer's version of the 770 - and it comes with built in Disney designs. Those are the only differences between the 2 machines - oh and the extra $400 the 780 would have cost. I, at least have an alternative repair place about 40 minutes away if I choose to go there.

Erin - why not make a border for your skirt that you can stitch the designs on? It might be easier to stitch and you would not have to trash the entire skirt if you make a mistake you can't fix. I would just cut the skirt a bit shorter and use the bottom part of the skirt pattern to cut out a wide border for the bottom part of the skirt. If the pattern has side seams or a back seam that makes it even easier to replace one section if you need to.

 

[nowellsl]

Oh my gosh, I feel so bad for you guys trying to get your machines fixed! That is just terrible! I hope you both find some sort of resolution soon! I would be beside myself


Nini - Brother should send you a postage paid label to send your machine in for warranty work due to all the trouble you've had! Is this place one of their autorized service centers?

 

[darnheather]

Erin, you could also do the patchwork look so that you sew on different squares of fabric each of the embroiders and then sew them together for the bottom of the skirt. If the designer has good reviews I wouldn't worry too much though. I usually only have problems with freebies.

 

[4HppyCamprs]

My machine is NOT working!

Yuck...

Nini

I am so sorry. Have you contacted the
Better business bureau?? They can help too. Your repairman is unbelievable. Wowsa!

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[NiniMorris]

He is an authorized repair/service person and I have sent a letter of complaint to Brother. I don't have time to sit on the phone right now, so that will go on my list for tomorrow.

Now if I can just figure out why my pool is cloudy... I will be happy-ish!

Nini

 

[goteamwood]

There is obviously something in the air! I have not updated with my tales of woe about my Brother repairman...mainly because I am still so mad I can't type more than a bit before I have to stop!

Some of you may remember that my Brother repair man...about an hour and 45 minutes away...is a jerk! He super glued my bobbin tension screw because he told me I shouldn't be messing with it!

I have a total of 4 Brother machines, including two 770s. They are workhorses...but can be a bit finicky. My new $500 sewing machine was sewing fine for 3 months...then all of a sudden it stopped doing button holes. It appeared to be a computer issue...because it would sew a zig zag with no problem, it would sew a straight seam with no problem, but when you tried the button hole, it would do the straight seam...then when it got to the zig zag portion it stayed in one spot and sewed until it made a birds nest...

On Memorial Day I decided it was time to call Brother...since it was a holiday, I waited until Tuesday morning to call... after 45 minutes they told me to take it in to the repair man. I took it Wednesday morning and dropped it off.

While during the check in process, the lady (owner's mom?) told me I had voided the warranty by using Coats N Clark thread... and I told her there was no such clause in the warranty. (so from this conversation it is clear that I brought it in because of warranty work.) I left with her the sheet I took my notes from the conversation with Brother...including time of call and who I spoke with. (I honestly can not remember if there was a claim number on the paper or not...because I forgot to make a copy of it!) Leaving that paper makes it clear I had spoken to Brother)

When I get the call on Monday that it was ready, they told me it would be $89.95. I said...wait a minute it should be warranty work. Nope, they have no record of it being warranty work, and since I didn't buy it from them they would not do warranty work! I reminded her that I had already brought in one machine that I did not buy from them for warranty work, she changed her tune and said I had to bring in my receipt and they would see what they could do...

Well, I did not have to bring in a receipt last time, but it only took a second to print out another copy of the receipt so off we went.

We were lucky...Husband was driving and it only took an hour and a half. When I came in they said there was no record of warranty work, and even if it was it would not have been covered...because it was ...USER ERROR!

It went down hill from there!

The fact that it worked fine for dozens of button holes before deciding to stop...it was my fault because I was too 'stupid' (yes, he used that word) to understand how to work a computerized machine, and he did not have time to give me basic sewing lessons!

There were threats of him calling the police on me (remember hubby and kids are in the car...and he IS a policeman!) He insinuated that I was going to 'steal' my machine back from him. He made comments that there is not a single notation that it was warranty work on his paperwork. If he had known it was warranty work he would have never started on it...because he 'knew' it was user error! Unfortunately for him...his employee/mother was standing there and I reminded her about the comment with the thread...and she admitted I had said something about warranty (but she couldn't remember the details) and she must have forgotten to write that down.

At this point...he walked away screaming at me.

I refused to leave. I told them I would wait until. I got satisfaction. (at this point, I would have settled for paying half the price and accepted an apology. I did not tell him this)

I stood at the counter for a good thirty minutes, then a customer walked in. She was paying for a large purchase of software. I did not say anything to her...I did not move from my spot...but the owner came out and told me he was on the phone with Brother trying to resolve my problem and walked away.

After the customer left, the owner came back and said Brother had no record of my ever calling them...I told him the date and time of call and who I had spoken to (which I had remembered...I called at 9 on Tuesday and the person I spoke to had the same name as my daughter...Amanda.) He kept saying I was lying...I repeated time, date and person I spoke with. Three times.

After another 15 minutes he came back and said I was lucky...Brother was going to pay the warranty claim... and he was doing this out of the 'goodness' of his heart!

I believe I might have said something about he was the one that was lucky but don't really remember...but I waited for HIM to hand ME the machine and left.

I will not be back there...even if he is the only repair man left in the world!

I will be writing my complaint to Brother later today.

This man is known in the area to be a jerk. Earlier in the spring we were looking at the 6 needle...and for the second time in two years he managed to convince my husband not to buy from him.... and my husband is pretty easy going and level headed in things like this.nyway...that is a short syopsis of my experience with repair on machines.

Will it prevent me from buying another Brother...no. Will it prevent me from ever walking into his establishment again? YES!



Nini
(who is going back to the job of draining the pool so I can clean and refill sometime today!)


Oh forgot to say...I still haven't turned the machine on to see if it is working yet!

OMG it's an epidemic. I was so upset last night after trying again, and not even getting 30 stitches in a row that I was literally sobbing, telling my husband that I want to close down my little business and I can't deal with the stress. I think you absolutely SHOULD write to Brother. I mailed 3 letters today, to the shop owner, the BBB and Brother Corp Customer Relations. I don't know what else to do, honestly, I can't use the machine, and I have 12 outstanding orders, some almost 2 weeks old, that I haven't been able to do because I have spent so much time in the car and at that stupid store! I am SO upset. I financed the machine zero % interest, knowing I could easily pay it off in a year w/ the income from my etsy shop, but since I can't actually MAKE anything I can't actually pay for it, which is a little heartbreaking.

Is it possible to find Disney themed knit fabric that isn't insanely expensive? My local Walmart carries Disney quilters cotton but I can't seem to find knits except online that are around $25 a yard. Um, I could buy the pj's already made at that price. Might have to just go with solid and embroider something small on them.

Would flannel shorts be ridiculous?

Thefabricfairy.com has some disney knits, under $10/yard. I only saw Minnie, Pooh, Bambi and maybe a couple others. But flannel shorts aren't that weird, my husband has flannel boxers...

OMG Seriously what the hell. okay seems dumb, BUT have you tried it on a different table at home? I'm sure you probably have, that would just be the only difference I could see between the store and home. How extremely frustrating to be in this situation! I'm so sorry!

I want a pattern to make a shirt. It has to be a bit more of a fitted shirt I guess. I'll check out the peasant thanks! I'll check out those blanks too for shirts. nice shirts are hit and miss. Old navy had nice ones for a while with little capped sleeves and now they just have plain ones

Hmmm I was hoping there was an option other than the felt. I am really not a fan of the felt look.

This is insane!

I am not too much into the felt look either. I messed up a panel of a grace dress w/ an embroidery and had to cut it out and will need to replace it, just keep putting it off.
I will try the other desk, but the one I have it on it's been on for more than a month. I am willing to try anything that means I don't have to go back to that terrible place. It's still not working but I couldn't spend a whole day for a 3rd time this week going to that store, I have other things to do like try to take care of my kids. Hoping the letters I sent get to someone who can help me.

I am so sorry to hear of all your problems with your machines and the poor service at your repair places. That is just unexcusable!

I just know that if/when I need to take my 770 in for servicing that the repair guy is going to give me a hard time. He told me that the biggest differences between the 770 and the 780D is that the 770 did not have a USB port - WRONG! He wanted me to buy the 780D from him - that's the dealer's version of the 770 - and it comes with built in Disney designs. Those are the only differences between the 2 machines - oh and the extra $400 the 780 would have cost. I, at least have an alternative repair place about 40 minutes away if I choose to go there.

I had a similar discussion about the 780 vs 770 and was told the 770 was awful and I NEEDED the Disney designs since I have kids. Um, no thanks, I have lots of sources for WAY better designs.

Oh my gosh, I feel so bad for you guys trying to get your machines fixed! That is just terrible! I hope you both find some sort of resolution soon! I would be beside myself


Nini - Brother should send you a postage paid label to send your machine in for warranty work due to all the trouble you've had! Is this place one of their autorized service centers?

Yesterday when I was sitting in the parking lot w/ my two 3-year-olds and Brother Corp Service called me back, she said I could do mail in service but they only cover shipping back to me, I would have to pay to ship it to them, which would be a fortune. Even for warranty work.

 

[disfamof7]

I just discovered this thread and I have to say I am absolutely addicted already!!! What amazing ideas on here!!!! I can't wait to try some of these ideas but obviously some of you have much more experience sewing than I do! So I'll gladly accept any tips you may have to give a newbie at sewing

Thanks for the wonderful thread!

 

[DMGeurts]

Just in case you missed this posted on FB, her PTR or my PTR...

Chiara just texted me and asked me to let you all know that she is having her baby tonight, her C section is scheduled for 9:30pm Eastern time.

I don't know any details other than that, but I do believe that prayers for both her and the baby would be coveted.

D~