My sewing machine is broken. The little computer screen does not light up. I called the repairman, he said it could be a fuse or a board. The fuse wouldn't be too bad but the board is over $700. And that is $700 I don't have. I have been out of work for over a year due to health problems. I guess I will have to break out the old treadle machine and try to learn to use it. Wait....somewhere around here I have a little tiny kenmore about a 2/3 size machine. I will look for it too. I hate not having my favorite machine though. And right before Christmas. I have all of my electronics plugged into surge strips. Except my sewing machine, now how dumb is that. The single most expensive piece of electronics I own. In fact all of the other stuff added together would not equal what that machine is worth and I had it plugged into the wall.
Vikki in WA State (kicking herself in the backside) We made it through the windstorm last night athough without power. Thank goodness for wood heat.
I really do love you guys but sometimes you crack me up. My favourite machine is my one and only machine. A $299 special from Janome which was a gift. Oh to be able to have 2, 3 or more machines!!! Do you sew on each of them equally? No, I'm serious - my ma has 2 machines one of which has never exited it's box. I don't understand.....
I have 3 machines but 2 don't sew very well. I keep one because it's in a cabinet and I use the cabinet top for decorative purposes in the hall and one that I should get rid of and probably will when we move.
I used my pfaff for everything. I tried the treadle a few times, but they are harder to use than one would think. And truly I was spoiled by a computerized machine. Mostly because the needle always stops in the same position and it has a wonderful needle threader. Things that I would not even notice if I was not used to having them. Make sense? I used to carry the little kenmore on the truck with us. Space and weight were so limited. But I put it in the closet about 5 years ago, time to dig it out now. I will be thankful to have it. The treadle was a beautiful, barely used 1914 redeye. I bought cheap at a garage sale. I tried a few times to use it, but it is hard to make it run forward. When you push the treadle it is just as likely to run backward as forward. I use it as a conversation piece in my living room. (just one more piece of junk that always needs dusted) Maybe I will learn to love the mechanical machines again. I know lots of people do.
It may be too late to nag you Vikki but I'll give it a go anyway. If your dear little Kenmore has been stored for a while, it would be a good idea to allow her to come up to room temperature and give her a nice clean/oil and new needle before you try any stitching. I'll bet she'll 'do you proud'. Our vacuum cleaners used to live in a room that was unheated. We decided that was not our smartest moment and found them new places. It could make a difference. Polly
My machine of choice for piecing is still my Singer Featherweight. For machine quilting I use the Singer 301. Not as fancy or versatile as the computerized machines, certainly, but they always work and I can do most repairs myself. I too have an old Kenmore that was a good workhorse for other sewing, and I made a half-dozen quilts on it before I got the FW. I still use it for some things.
So sorry about your machine, Vikki, I do hope it is the simple fuse and not the board! I'd love to learn to use a treadle, myself, but there are only so many hours in a day...........
How awful, Vikki. I'm sorry to hear about your machine. Yes it's a good idea to put them on a surge protector. Do give that Kenmore a good going over for dust and lint, and give her some oil (all as per the manual) before using her. I just know she will come through for you.
Having backup machines is a great thing. I use my 6-yr old Viking constantly but sometimes I don't want to re-set it for something else when it is set up for embroidery or with the walking foot, esp. if all I want to do is piece or do a quick straight stitch on something....so I pull out one of my other machines, lately that has been the Elna Lotus.
I have a boatload of vintage machines in my collection, and regularly take them out to run them...but my current 'favorites' besides the Elna are an 80s era Kenmore and Viking, both with free arms and cams...so I have my design stitches for when the newer Viking is busy doing something else :)
Irene
-------------- You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.=20
I have 3 - my new Janome, the Kenmore that was replaced and a small Janome to take to classes. I can't manage the big one, it is the quilting model (6600) and to heavy to lug around. I kept the Kenmore because it was still working. I have a GF that comes over and sews with me and uses that.
I currently have multiple machines, including one that I sort of sometimes consider selling although I like having it. It really is a duplicate now and I don't need it.
Let's see,
4 Non functional - no motors - decorative only - sitting on shelves and whatnot - 2 Singer 66s, 2 Singer 99s.
2 singer Featherweights. I though of selling one a while ago, but decided not to after I was conditioning it for sale.
1 Singer 301a on lone to my Sister-in-law (remind me to ask for it back)
1 New Home Treadle (circa 1897) in perfect working order
1 Singer Treadle in perfect working order with an intersting history - the woman it belonged to used to use it to sew costumes for Kate Smith.
1 Singer former Treadle, not electrified in working order. Use it for display because the machine is so beautiful.
1 Singer 15 in top working order that I just bought at a garage sale for $20.
Babylock Quilters Choice Pro
Brother 1500s I was thinking about selling one of these, but I'm kinda attached to them.
Brother 4000D
Brother 8200 - I was going to sell this or trade it in, but it works great and isn't worth much.
Bernina 440 - treated myself to this, but sold my 1630 - now I miss it.
Old Viking Serger
New Brother Serger with coverstitch - this was a mistake. I could never really learn how to use it despite pay>I have 3 machines but 2 don't sew very well. I keep one because it's in a
Well, when dh was putting up the webpage of old machines I fould a lot of neat old ones. Over the years I have tried to get rid of many. There are a few older ones I keep because I am sort of attached and others because they aren't worth selling. I have a hand full of old machines that are just really great machines I have a tough time parting with them unless I can find them good homes.
I do most of my sewing on my Bernina 930. It is the best machine I have ever sewn on. I like to piece and machine quilt on my Brother 1500 (has the large harp) I take grandma's FW to classes. 301's are good to piece on too and I use one of those in a card table once in awhile. My Bernina had a problem 2 weeks before Christmas some years ago. I had no backup at the time and I was in a real pickle.
I have to laugh when I think of all the quilts that show up at guild meetings for show and tell. Some of the most beautiful ones come from women that have simple, older machines. No computers, no fancy gadgets just real talented quilters! Then some of the gals with fancy machines have nothing that they really make or finish. Go figure! Oh, I pull out my treadle when little kids wander through. They always get a kick out of learning to use that. That machine was given to me by my folks on my 10th Christmas. I will never get rid of that! Taria
Shar> I really do love you guys but sometimes you crack me up. My favourite
Hehehehehe... I've listed mine before, but the list needs updating, so here we go:
Oldest first!
1907 (scrawled inside lid, but probably older!) Saxonia type machine made by Adria of Hungary. Treadle: very pretty decals,. I'm in the process of restoring this to working order for re-homing... Acquired through Freecylce! :)
1909 Jones Family CS Handcrank: Princess Alexandria model. Very smooth operator. Bought from a junk shop for less than £20 as a birthday prezzy for me a couple of years back. :)
1923 Lotus decal Singer 66K. I bought this as a student in 1976. Gorgeous machine!
1936 Singer 15-88 treadle: working perfectly! :) Plain Jane to look at, but works perfectly. Built in Cnada... A gift from a friend - it belonged to her grandmother.
1949/58 Frankensinger 99K: built out of at least two different machines after an accident with a ship... My mum's 'original' sewing machine! The one I put my first zip in, aged seven.
1953 Singer 221 featherweight. Another gift! In need of a new plug at the moment, but a sweet little worker.
Late 50's/early 60's 'Novum', built in Ireland. Built like the proverbia brick netty! Another Type 15 machine. FAST! Very good straight stitch machine. Pale grey in colour.. Horribly heavy!
Late 60's Elna Lotus ZZ: neat little thing!
Early 70's Elna Lotus TSP. 'Nother neat little machine! More stitches than the ZZ.
Late 70's/early 80's New Home XL-II: lots of stitches, but complicated to set up! Nice stitch quality, easy for the kids to use, which is what it was given to me for! This was another gift from a friend.
1982 Frister & Rossman Cub 8: nice machine, but not working... :( Bought to make my wedding gown. :)
Mid 80's Viscount 2000: very nice machine! Handful of nice quality utility stitches.
1998 Huskylock 910: my worn out serger! Oops... The other not working machine.
1999 HV Lily 500: my second! The first was stolen at nine months old. My main workhorse machine.
2006 Brother 1034 serger: bought for the free-arm. Love it!
2006 Bernina 1150D: my workhorse serger, and worth every expensive penny! :)
Sitting on the floor here there is also a box containing an almost new Brother machine, bought for a friend's granddaughter... So though I payed for it and await the cheque from the USA, I don't count it as mine...
Some time after Christmas 4 more machines are due to land here, from a Weight Watcher pal's loft! One is a handcrank, one is a Brother... Other than that, I know nothing about them! Not all will stay here. And I just had another person email me with possible news of another small machine, so I don't know how that will pan out! The Toyota serger I bought used a couple of years back was passed on to a friend when I bought the Bernina, and the New Home a pal gave me to re-home last year was passed on to a kid who needed a something. :) I've just spent a week in school with a flock of 8 sewing machines: the two Elnas, the FW, the 66 & the 99, the Viscount, the New Home, and the Novum. We made Christmas stockings. :)
Vikki, treadling is easy, but you need to make sure the treadle pedal is in the correct starting position, or just spin the 'handwheel' by hand as you start if it isn't. Go slowly to start with, and just practice...
Vikki, Sorry to hear about your machine. I hope it is just the fuse, but in the mean time you at least have a machine you can use (even if it is not ideal).
Sharon, I currently have 2 machines and would like to add a third or maybe a fourth someday but that is because I would like to have an embroidery machine and maybe even a serger someday. I have my primary machine (use this one exclusively) that I would get rid of if I ever upgraded. The second machine I have is not ever leaving because of sentimental reasons. It was my grandmothers. It's not an ancient machine, but it is about 35-40 years old (according to my dad's estimate of when she got it). She sewed all of her own clothing, repaired many of my dad's and uncles' jeans on it and made things for us grandkids (18 of us) on it. I didn't think it was grandma's machine when my dad dropped it off for me. The cabinet top lifts up and the front opens up to act as a support to the top so you increase your table size and then the machine lifts up. Well I had always seen it fully open and set up with a pile of mending and projects next to it. When dad dropped it off it was all closed up and didn't look like the same cabinet. It needs to be taken to the shop for a good cleaning, oiling and some minor adjustments, but it still runs well. I wouldn't have to worry about keeping my current machine for a back up if I want an upgrade. Grandma's will work just fine as a back up machine for when my primary is in the shop. It doesn't have any fancy stitches on it (it does zig zag though), but that is fine for patchwork. Right now it is in my dining room, but it will go back to being displayed in the living room once my Christmas tree is down.
Not equally, no. I a developing a pattern though. If it is a heavy or sturdy fabric, or needs a zig zag or buttonhole, it goes to the pfaff. The walking foot mostly lives on the Free-Westinghouse. The Bel-Air is doing a lot of utility sewing, because I can tote it around easily.. The Singer and the Imperial are rotated out for maintenance right now.
If you add it all up, I paid $125 for all 5 machines. Had to buy a belt for the Pfaff, and the Singer needed a new slide plate. Realisticly I should have had the cord replaced on the 99 when I got it. That is one of the reasons it is out of rotation, why take chances when you don't need to? I know a lot of people like them, but I am not even considering ever aquireing a machine with a computer in it's guts. To much fuss, to much to go wrong, for me.
I have 4 machines. A New Home memory Craft 6000, which hasn't been used in a very long time, but sews beautifully. It got put aside when I got a Viking embroidery-sewing machine. That's used almost daily for sewing. I then got a Babylock Ellageo sewing/embroidery which is also used almost daily for embroidery. Both machines are usually running at the same time. I also have a little Singer Featherweight 2-the new one, not old model. If I want a really lightweight machine to take someplace I take that. Gen
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