Monday, January 23, 2012

I Hate It When This Happens





From the movie "The Graduate --

Mr. McGuire: I want to say one word to you. Just one word.
Benjamin: Yes, sir.
Mr. McGuire: Are you listening?
Benjamin: Yes, I am.
Mr. McGuirePlastics.
Benjamin: Exactly how do you mean?
Mr. McGuire: There's a great future in plastics. Think about it. Will you think about it?

I don't think I feel quite like Mr. McGuire does about plastics. More and more things are being made of plastic and although at times it's a good thing, it's not that way ALL the time. What you see in the above photo is a piece of the needle threader from my Bernina which broke off recently. (The pin is there for scale). When the original needle threader broke about three years ago, I took it in to be replaced and was appalled that the replacement one had more plastic parts than the original (and I was appalled that the price of the new plastic threader was $30). I knew that it wouldn't last long, especially since the part that gets the most pressure is the part that was now made of plastic and not metal. My prediction came true recently...the needle threader is now broken after just three years of use (the first one lasted me about seven or eight years). It's still usable without that gray plastic piece, but it's not quite as easy. I have decided that it works for now and when it completely breaks, I won't be getting a replacement. I'll just use one of those little wiry things that come in some sewing kits...BTW, in the package of three of those wiry needle threaders that I bought a few months ago, one of them had a broken wire as soon as I took it out of the package! I guess that's to be expected when we buy things from discount stores, but I didn't expect it from my Bernina...

8 comments:

Sheila said...

My daughter broke mine on my first Bernina (an Activa) the first time she used it so now even with my new EQ I never remember to use the needle threader It never works as easily for me as it did the demonstrator. But have you used one of the wire threaders designed for overlockers, they have a longer handle and wire, and are a breeze to use.

Susan said...

I don't think I have ever used the needle threaders on my machines! I still thread needles the old fashioned way with fingers and bifocals! LOL

Rose Anne said...

Can it be repaired? Maybe super glue is an option. It does work very well on plastic.

Heather said...

I find mine difficult to use so only use it when my bifocals don't seem to be working (operator error I suspect).

Amy said...

I do like the needle threader on the Bernina. I would miss it especially since I'm moving in to the reading glasses range. I've decided anything that is associated with quilting is marked up about 3x the price. That is the frustrating part.

Ida from Central PA said...

Super Glue, or Gorilla Glue are your friends!

My husband has broken the 'holder' for his cellphone (clips on to his belt). I have a bottle of LocTite Super Glue (Precision Max) in my desk at work jsut for him.

Stella Jones said...

How annoying for you and disappointing too because now you have to replace it and with what? Perhaps there is a metal one somewhere? You just have to write to Bernina and ask?

Gayle said...

Ah yes...I still haven't replace a teeny tiny light bulb in my Kenmore machine...$29.95 for a bulb no larger than a small jelly bean...and $8.95 to ship one teeny tiny bulb.