sewbizgirl

Ain't that the truth... or while you are waiting to save up for repairs on the computerized machine...

I love being able to treadle and piece my quilts when our electricity is out, too. We live in the sticks, and the power goes down quite often. During storms the rural areas are the last priority for repairs, too. We were without juice for 12 days, post-Katrina. If I'd had my treadle then, I would have been happy!

So far, I'm not a featherweight girl. I like the heavier vintage machines. I have a 66, two 201s, and a 403, all Singers. Since I don't go to classes or anywhere else to quilt, I don't need a lightweight portable machine. If I find later that I do, I will look for a 301.

My youngest machine is my trusty Bernina 830-- the original one, all metal and all mechanical. It's got 20 built in sts, 5 utility and 15 decorative. I rarely use any of them but the zig zag, and the blind hem st once in a while. In the past 20 years I have not used the decorative sts at all. My Singer 403 has removable cams to make decorative sts too, but I can see the previous owner rarely touched them.

I guess you have to weigh out the pros and cons of every machine, and maybe own more than one. For me, reliablilty, strength to sew whatever I need it to, and a great looking straight st are the most important concerns. All the bells and whistles would not justify the huge prices of the new computerized machines, for me.

Funny story, I was in the local Bernina shop looking at their Moda fabrics and they had one of their fancy Berninas set up with a giveaway offer. If you would sit down for about 1/2 an hour and let one of their staff demo the machine for you, your name would be entered into a drawing to give that machine away on a certain date. I wasn't even interested enough in the demo to possibly win the machine! I know they thought I was crazy when I didn't take them up on the demo... lol. I guess I could have tried to sell the machine if I won it, but I just didn't want to hear the sales pitch.