You definitely NEED a backup machine. An older machine, from the years when they were meant to last for generations, (not just until the warranty ran out). I have a "few" backup machines which will sew just about forever, while my newish embroidery machine has been in the shop for over two weeks now, and the mechanic can't figure out what's wrong with it.
What interested me most about your post is that you said your husband sews too. My DH acts like his hands would fall off if he tried to sew something.
