Ok. This is a good news/bad news story actually.
Bad news: The quilt shop downtown is going out of business. It's not due to lack of business, but rather some serious life changes on the owner's part. These things do happen. They are also a Viking dealer.
Good news: I was talking to DH the other night about my machines. I told him I had been doing some serious thinking about getting another machine similar to the one that I do 90% of my garment sewing with. When my serger blade broke a while back, I was still able to use my serger till the new blades came, just not able to cut with it. I had to trim edges more carefully and then just overcast the edges. It worked all right, not the way I'd normally do it, but all right. If it had been my sewing machine however, I'da been up a creek. Between the industrial straight stitch and the treadle, I can do a whole lot of what I do with my main machine.....well except anything that involves a zig zag.....and frankly the idea of running silk or even poly satin through the industrial is a little scary. lol You see what I mean. (I Know this makes sense to y'all around here!!) The really gratifying part of that conversation was when he said, "you know, I've been worried about that same thing." (He's a great husband, he really is!) So I told him I had been thinking about going to talk with the quilt shop owner and see what is going to be done with the floor model machines she has. I thought I might be able to get a pretty good deal on one of them, and I know it would still be in good shape and I could easily take it in to another Viking dealer in Louisville for a check up. He agreed with me and said he thought that was a very smart idea. Then said he didn't think there would be another opportunity like this for such a potentially good deal any time soon, so I should hie myself over there and see what could be found and purchased with his unwavering support (well, that and possibly my Visa card.... lol)
(Yes!! My husband thought it was a Fabulous idea for me to buy another sewing machine!!!! I told you he was a great husband.)
So I went down there this morning. Well.... everything in the shop is 40% off till the end of April, machines included. Same price if I wanted the floor model, or a NIB model. Well....then I'm gonna get NIB if I can right? :) I knew I wanted a mechanical machine. I just don't want a machine that's smarter than me. lol So I found, and fell in love with a Viking "Daisy" 325. Hang on to your hats! Normal price was $699 USD. I got it for $449 USD!! Whoo hoo!!!!! It's not fancy, but has more decorative stitches than my old Singer. Seems like it will be an absolute workhorse, which is what I definitely need. Had all the features I knew I wanted, and none of the ones that I know I just won't use. :) Oh! And I had a $15 store credit to use too. So that paid for a hard case for my new toy...uh...Tool. lol It was the last NIB one they had. They only had a few machines left. While I was there, another woman called and put a down payment on a Designer 1 over the phone with her credit card, and another woman was looking seriously at another machine. I'm glad I went when I did. If I'd waited much longer, the cupboard would have been bare! lol
I'm sure I will be getting to know my new little Swedish sweetie over the weekend. If you don't hear from me, you will know I'm still in the sewing room playing! lol
Sharon