If you truly love the machine, bite the bullet and repair it. I have a Pfaff at the repair shop right now and the bill will be over $300 but I don't care. I really love thta machine and it is no good to me if it doesn't operate properly and I can't buy a new one, or even another used one like it for that price, so I'm getting it repaired. It's been used hard and no wonder it needs a little help now and then.