If you've ever sewn with a computerized sewing machine for any length of time, chances are you've eventually encountered an error code. In this case, it was the dreaded E1 Error Code, although the real problem turned out to be a series of events that snowballed into something much bigger.

It all started when the machine suddenly stopped sewing and displayed the error code. Like most people would, the owner removed the needle plate and cleaned out the bobbin area, removing lint and stray thread ends. At the time, she was in the middle of selling her home and preparing for a move, so when the machine seemed better, she set it aside and continued packing.

A few days later, a young man came by to help her finish getting everything ready. She told him to "break down everything" for easier packing, and he took those instructions very literally. Folding tables, furniture, and yes—even the sewing machine were all taken apart. It sounds hard to believe, but that's exactly how she told the story. Realizing the sewing machine probably wasn't meant to be disassembled, he put it back together as best he could and continued helping load everything into the moving container.

She wasn't thrilled about the situation, but she also understood that he was simply following the instructions he'd been given.

Fast forward several months. After finally getting settled, she unpacked her beloved Brother CS6000i and sat down to sew. Unfortunately, the machine immediately displayed the E1 Error Code again. Convinced it was beyond repair, she put it back in the closet with plans to eventually throw it away.

This is where I enter the story.

Several months later, after hearing about my interest in sewing machine repair, she remembered the "broken" machine sitting in her closet and asked if I would take a look at it and let her know whether it was worth fixing.

My answer was a simple "yes."

After opening the machine, I found a few stray threads that had wandered into places they didn't belong. I gave it a thorough cleaning, applied fresh lubrication where needed, carefully reassembled everything, and tested it.

The result? The machine now sews like new, and its owner is absolutely delighted to have her favorite sewing machine back in service.