How Often Do You Upgrade Your Sewing Machine?
 

I finally took my sewing machine in to get it cleaned and the guy at the shop was shocked that I still had it. It is a 12 year old Janome. The thing works fine so I'm not planning on changing any time soon. However, I was kind of surprised by the vendor's attitude, he kept commenting about how they don't even make my sewing machine any more, yada yada yada.

Which got me thinking - how often do you upgrade? Is it like leasing a new car every two years for some people?

Well.......of course he "was shocked"....he's not making money off you!!!!! I bought my first machine in 1972 -- a Sears Kenmore. I bought my 2nd machine in 2008, a Janome. So I guess you can say every 36 years whether I need to or not!!!! :) :):thumbup:

My first was in 1992 and my "new" one was in 2010. They don't make much from me either, in fact the old Singer has NEVER been into the shop.

My first machine was a Kenmore in about 1976 (still in high school). My second machine was a Pfaff 7550 in 1994. Other than picking up a sweet Pfaff 1471 for $50 as a backup machine, I haven't bought a machine since.

New machines are relatively unreliable compared to older machines, to my way of thinking. The electronics are getting cheaper and cheaper.

If your machine is in good working order and it does what you want it to do, you have absolutely no reason to upgrade. Don't let them talk you into it. One reason I fear taking my machine to a sewing machine shop is I worry they'll break it, forcing me to get a new one. I trust them like I trust used car salespeople.

I had my last one for about 11 or 12 yrs when I bought my current one. I never would have upgraded but I wanted something with a bigger throat and a built in walking foot. I still have my old machine and have no plans to get rid of it.

LOL...

i still have my original kenmore zig zag, too.... but since becoming a quilter, i've bought a few more machines

My oldest machine, and my go to machine we bought in 1956. It has never been in a shop. It's a Touch and Sew and I've oiled and lubed and cleaned it often and it just keeps going. I have 2 other ones like it that I have bought since then for not much money. 30 or 40 dollars. I'm getting one ready to teach a young lady to sew. I'm gonna charge her Mother a hair cut for it. LOL

Time to find another vendor. I don't think of 12 years as being old. If it still does what you want it to do. Don't upgrade. Of course, he wants you to purchase the lastest and greatest. Only go for that if it has something you just can't live without.

I figure mine will have to be like my car...driven 'til it drops. My house needs work much more than I need a new sewing machine, and I bought my machine used at that.

Bought a Bernina Nova 900 in 1982; I don't sew on it any longer because it's a sought after collectable, it's in mint condition. Bought a Bernina 220 in 2009 and a Janome 7700 in 2013. I'm finished! I only bought the Janome so I could do FMQ. Since I work full time, I average 2 quilts a year, these machines should last me for the rest of my sewing life, or at least that is what I tell myself :)