Backup sewing machines are a good thing!
 

I recently had my niece and nephew over, and they fell in love with sewing. So naturally, I gave them my backup sewing machine.

Yesterday I dropped my main machine off at the shop for a standard cleaning and some minor repair. Things happen when 8 & 12 year olds sew and you're lax with paying attention, lol.

But I was not leaving myself without a machine! Several months I had bought an older Pfaff while drinking wine and shopping on ebay (big mistake, I don't recommend this). I took it, untested, to the local Pfaff dealer and asked them to pick it over, let me know if it works, and if it does work to give it a lube and cleaning. When I picked it up they told me it works great and just needed some lube. I finally plugged it in today so I could do some piecing and it doesn't work at ALL. It makes horrible grinding noises and smells like burning electronics. Angrily I unplugged it and pulled my service documents (which I foolishly didn't read previously, I just talked to the guy at the counter) and I see it's marked clearly as not working. (But they charged me to clean and oil it anyway, which all together means I will NOT be going back to that particular dealer ever again! Thankfully not the dealer my main machine goes to.)

So in essence, I have gone through 3 machines in a week.

Fortunately, I have one more backup machine. My original, basic, bottom-of-the-line Kenmore I had bought when I was still a teenager and had just moved out on my own. This poor machine has been neglected, abused, and neglected some more. I pulled her out of her case, plugged her in, threaded her up and...what do you know, she runs juuuust fine. I had been thinking about giving this machine away because I thought I'd never use it again. I was wrong! I need to give her some grease or something because she's squeaky but other than that she's in fine working shape.

If anything happens to this one, though, I'm in trouble. I probably should pick up a couple more sewing machines, just to be on the safe side. Like maybe that awesome Slant-o-matic I saw when I was dropping off my main machine.... ;)

It's good to have a stash...of fabric, of bobbins, and of machines! LOL

I have a Walmart Singer Simple that I bought for about $ 100 - its a great back-up machine - I love it - in fact it was my main machine when I first started - I wore the first one out when I purchased my good Husqvarna/Viking - so I went ahead and purchased another Singer Simple machine as backup - it works great and since I don't use it often its holding up well.

My featherweight is my current back up. Sooner or later, I'll get the 66 Redeye up and running as another back up. Would love to get at 301 for yet another back up but waiting for the right price on that! Back up machines are GOOD things!

I too have a Featherweight back-up which is just great for piecing. Unfortunately I "traded in" my Singer Slant O Matic when I got my new Bernina. That was a nice sturdy machine I got for $25 at an auction. I gave my other Bernina to my daughter as she had a pretty undependable machine. I'm thinking I could use more machines!

By the way, terrible way to be treated by a dealer.

I can not manage with one machine I have three all Bernina's love them all . Cathy

My Bernina is in the shop for its annual servicing and I'm using my backup, a Featherweight. Actually, I use that Featherweight for all my piecing so my Bernina is more like my backup. I do use the Bernina for FMQ and machine appliqué; but I so love that little Featherweight. If I had a larger sewing room, I'd like another machine or two. As it is, I couldn't ask for two better machines than those I have.

I have so many backup machines. 3 Vikings and an old Singer that was my mothers. I will also get her Kenmore soon so with my newest Viking 960Q that makes 6. I hope to never need all of them and want to see one of my granddaughters learn to sew. Gave my first all metal Royal to my daughter and she managed to totally kill it. I'm very careful who I let sew on any of them now.

I, too have many backup machines.... With age comes wisdom..... that's a good thing. When I started sewing over 60 years ago we had one machine. When a new wife, I thought I needed a fancy $$$$ machine. Now, I still have a couple of the fancy ones but my trusted vintage machines are my go-to favorites. And the fact that I can fix them and keep them running so beautifully makes each one a special one. I think I have 14-15 machines, the oldest dating back into the 1870s. With that many machines I can have one set up with a walking foot, one with a darning foot, one just for binding..... etc. Yes, backup machines are a must.

Just used my backup machine yesterday -- my granddaughter was over to sew and that's the machine she loves to use! It is a Bernina 350 -- what a little work horse!

Now I know what to tell DH when he says I have too many machines. I have 4, two were free. They are backups.

DH has back ups for his truck, four wheeler, and John Deere. I'm serious, he won't be without one of those to use when he wants to. I could buy a fleet of sewing machines for those prices so I will never be without a back up sewing machine even if it means leaving the dealer with a brand new one when mine is being serviced. I've done that before.

backups are a must-I have a few just in case

My original cheapy Brother is my backup machine and it still works great. My main machine is a Viking Sapphire that I love. So far no break downs but it is due for servicing.

I have a total of 41 or maybe it is 42 sewing machines. Of course, several of these are classic antiques and I do not use them. But I would feel very vulnerable if I only had one sewing machine for my sewing projects. So, I totally agree with you "It's good to have a stash...of fabric, of bobbins, and of machines! LOL"

Back up machines are good! Just ask my six which wants to be sold. I can't part with any. I must admit that I have machines in Florida and Wisconsin. If I could use a machine while my husband drives, I'd have one.

A backup machine is a must. I must admit I have too many machines, Featherweight, Viking 183, Viking D-1 (my true love machine but it's 20 years old), Viking 875Q (10 inch bed), and Janome 8200 (11 inch bed), Brother Simplicity (weights just 8 lbs. for classes) and a serger.
So I have 2 machines for free motion, 3 machines that I can take to class, and the Viking D1 that still works perfectly but is in retirement right now.
I was doing free motion last week on my Janome and it decided to be finicky and was giving me big trouble. Had to finish the quilt for a wedding so I just pulled out my Viking 875 and finished the quilt. So glad I had it.
I don't go on expensive trips or buy designer clothes so this collection of sewing machines make me happy.

My daughters believe thay share that Bernina 160 between them, but it's really just my backup machine.

My back-up machine has saved me on more than one occasion. I keep it set up and ready to go.. as it also comes in handy when quilting and using multiple thread colors.. one machine is set up with one set of colors and bobbins and the other has a whole different set.

It's good to have backups. It's also good to have machines for different tasks. I use my Singer 66 for piecing and general sewing. My Singer 620 Touch & Sew gets used if I want zigzag or other decorative stitches. I also have a few other machines "just in case".
Rodney

I have two machines also. Two weeks ago my the White machine, the one I used the most broke and no replacement parts can be found. So I used my Viking. Now the Viking is not working. My DH ordered a new singer heavy duty for me. It came yesterday and was broken. Today we are sending it back. The Viking is in the shop. Now I'm without a sewing machine and I'm lost. Did this happen to anyone else?

I have several back ups, would not be without at least one. I sew everyday. I would not give one away. I would have bought them a Cheapy to sew on.

I must have my dh read this post as he thinks I have enough machines with 3 Regular machines, a Babylock Serger & a Janome embroidery only machine + several vintage machines. I don't do shoes, so for me, this is the next best thing !!! lol Honestly though, he really supports my hobby & is even very helpful & good at woodcrafting me cabinets etc. that helps make my life easier, so I am very grateful.

My Bernina is in the shop and I am using a small Janome but so far it has worked great! Was going to get rid of it but not any more.

Not just a back up. An older straight stitch machine for piecing would cost less than one service call and they usually do a very nice job of what they do.

Sewnoma, The same thing happened to me at my local Pfaff dealer. I had to check where you're located to see if we share the same dealer.

It's too bad about your pfaff. Depending on the model they are selling older broken ones on ebay for parts. You may be able to recoup some of your loss that way.

Oh back-up machines are a must! I (and many of my sewing friends have backups for our back-ups) We need machines for home and ones light enough to carry for retreats/classes. We enable each other, can justify almost anything-LOL.
Actually most of my back-ups have come from thrift stores/ garage sales. I only keep them if they are working properly and do most of my own cleaning/lube, minor repairs. And often give one of those machines away when I hear of someone in need or family members. Love, love sewing machines.

I think it was wrong for the dealer to charge you for a machine that didn't work; and I would not go back, plus a little bad publicity is not good business practice. Right now my Janome is in for a check-up and a check, as it decided to go wonky when I was trying to straight stitch, but she needs a check-up as it's been a while. I have never used this particular sewing machine place before, but have heard good things about them, so fingers crossed. I quit using the place where I bought my Janome because of poor service, took it somewhere else and until recently she has been chugging away for me, so she deserves a break. It has been over due to be serviced, although I had doing OK until recently. I do have a back-up older Brother machine that I got free at the local incinerator where people drop off things that are usually in good condition, and it has worked fine from day one, in fact I like the way it does zig-zag stitching better than my Janome. A friend gave me a Kenmore that is nearly identical to my Janome (also from the incinerator swap tables), but when I tried to use it - it only would do a couple stitches before it quit and made this horrible noise. I had a Kenmore that I literally wore out and the motor started smoking, so I decided I needed a new machine. I have been in withdrawal since I don't have my baby to work with, but I'll adapt until it comes back home.

Being a beginner I can't specify the names & numbers of my sewing machines (I use to make clothes) but I have my old Singer workhorse I bought as a demo I believe in 1983 or 1984, my granddaughter 12yr has taken that over (but it stays here) I have an old Dressmaker I got at an auction, a Janome Silver edition DH got at an Estate and my Mothers old Singer. They are all in great working order, I use the Janome for piecing and the dressmaker for SITD (all I know for now) and my Mothers is sitting quietly waiting it's turn to be cleaned up & sent in for a check up. I lost my Mother when she was almost 43 to cancer, so that machine will NEVER leave me except for a check up.

I have 2 Featherweights for backup - a 221 and a 222. After reading this, even though I had thought about selling my 222, I'm keeping her now and have even been considering getting a Janome Gem as an extra backup.