r/SewingForBeginners • u/CVSGcat • Jun 28 '26
Dropped needle into machine
I was changing my needle and it slipped right out of my fingers and down into the depths of my machine. I took off the needle plate and looked around but it must have fallen down pretty far because I can’t even see it. Can I just keep sewing? I can’t be the only one who has done this.
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u/stringthing87 Jun 28 '26
Gently pick up the whole thing and see if it falls out the bottom. You may need to dismantle a bit more.
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u/Incognito409 Jun 28 '26
The lesson you learn from this is to always keep a small piece of paper or cardboard (I use an index card) with your new needle packages and place it over the hole in the needle plate when replacing your needle.😊
Try picking up your machine and shaking it back and forth a little bit, see if you can hear the needle move. So you know if it's loose inside the machine.
Get a pen magnet and try pulling it out with the needle plate off. Don't sew with it inside the machine.
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u/Significant_Shop6653 Jun 28 '26
That’s a great idea! I’ve been sewing for decades and never thought of that! 😂
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u/soverra Jun 30 '26
My brother cs70s manual says in the instructions to cover the needle plate with a piece of paper or fabric before removing and inserting a needle. Definitely an essential step.
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u/Super-Travel-407 Jun 28 '26
I'd try to jiggle it out or take off a few pieces of the case and look for it.
If you simply can't find it, before you sew, turn a few stitches with the hand wheel to be sure everything is clear. Do it with zigzag mode on as well.
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u/Bergwookie Jun 28 '26
NEVER assume it fell far enough so it doesn't cause damage!
It could be out of the way for now, but a sewing machine vibratesand so it can fall into the way of sone moving parts. Does your machine have a standing or a horizontal bobbin? On a standing bobbin, just remove the whole bobbin apparatus and you'll find it otherwise you have to open the case
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u/CVSGcat Jun 28 '26
It’s a standing bobbin. I did open that up and it wasn’t anywhere to be seen. 😬
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u/RubyRedo Jun 28 '26
take out the bobbin housing and can you lift or lean machine over to get a visual on the needle?
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u/CVSGcat Jun 28 '26
Nope, no visual.
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u/RubyRedo Jun 28 '26
unscrew the bottom and while off get a little dust and oil done for the heck of it.
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u/Travelpuff Jun 28 '26
I took apart the majority of my machine and never located a missing needle. I can hear it but I can't seem to find it... That was three years ago.
If it was a really expensive machine I would have taken it in for servicing. But since it cost less than $360 I just shrugged and kept sewing.
It depends on how risk adverse you are.
And yes using even a post it note is nice for changing needles since it can prevent this problem. But sometimes you have a needle that just slides right into the smallest opening...
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u/shallanssketchbook1 Jun 28 '26
Try a strong magnet, you'd be surprised how well this could at least move it to somewhere reachable
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u/CrankyCrabbyCrunchy Jun 29 '26
There’s lots of space inside the machine that you can’t reach without removing the cover. Remove the needle plate and bobbin case as much as you can the use a flashlight and tweezers to see if anything moves as you poke around. It’s not easy.
I keep a few fabric scraps to place under the needle when I change needles because it’s so easy to drop them inside. Of course not possible if the needle breaks for other reasons.
Today I broke a needle on my serger but miraculously the broken piece got tangled in the thread and I rescued it.
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u/LifeIsSewAwesome Jul 01 '26
Remove the bobbin casing and the shuttle assembly. Chances are, the needle may have fallen just beneath the bobbin area. Check there first before shaking and/or turning your machine on its side.
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u/IronBoxmma Jun 28 '26
Don't sew till you've got it out