Hi, Just thought I would share my pain. Last night I had to finally put my Bernina 1260 out of it's misery. I purchased the sewing machine in the early 90's when I worked for a dealer who made ends meet by doing custom dressmaking and alterations. She allowed me to purchase it at her wholesale price. Even with that wonderful discount it was the biggest purchase I ever made alone, aside from my first car. 6 or 7 years ago I had the computer in it replaced and it kept on chugging. Last night the computer went again and I can not see putting another 6 or 7 hundred dollars into a 20 year old machine if it is even possible. I am still friends with my former employer and two years ago she had a great sale price on a Bernina 220. While it is a nice little machine and even does more than my 1260 it is by no means the same quality machine. The price was right only a little more than I paid to have the computer replaced in the old girl so I purchased it and stowed it away for a rainy day. Last night it poured. I was desperately trying to finish a baby quilt for a niece's baby shower that I will not be able to attend. Before I could finish the final part of the machine quilting on the project my old workhorse died. I had to breakdown my whole sewing setup and drag out my new machine. I have only used it once and that was last fall at a retreat. It took me more than an hour to set it up and go through the instruction manual enough to figure out how to recreate the decorative stitch I was using on the other machine before it died.
I will be able to give the finished quilt to my brother to deliver to the shower for his step-daughter this afternoon as I will see him at another event. I am glad I won't be able to see my neice's reaction to the gift as I might have to wring her neck if she doesn't like it. Aside from my daughter none of my relatives appreciate my quilting. To put the icing on the cake, my serger needs to go into the shop on monday.

Awww, sorry to hear it. Glad you had a back-up though.

I can feel your pain.....make sure you take a picture of her before she goes.....happy memories though.

Good you had another one.

Oh, no, so sorry to hear about your friend! Glad you were able to finish the project!

I feel your pain, I miss my Bernina Nova for the embroidery. the motor went up in flames.
I bought a basic brother for $145 new it is a wonderful machine for the basics. last year i bought an Elna Elina on half price special for $400 which is great. I will make sure I always have a back up machine now.

i so understand....my old Husqvarna is slowly dying too...and it is not fixable!!! darn!!!

Ooooh, I really feel your pain since I have the same model and it is one of my best friends. It is such a workhorse - I am so sorry for you. :cry: :cry:

I am so sorry about your machine. It is really hard to lose an old trusted friend.

I really know how you feel. I was putting the binding on my nephew's wedding quilt when my 25 year old Pfaff started smoking. Filled the whole house with smoke. I had ceased up the motor. No fixing it. I had to find another machine fast. I spent the whole weekend trying out other machines and went back to Pfaff. I got a Pfaff Creative 4.0. It took some getting used to but it is the best machine I have ever owned and my nephews quilt got finished on time.

When are the services? Should we wear black or something quilty?

So sorry.

Oh dear, you have worried me now, I have a 1260 about the same age as yours, and like you, I love her to bits. No problems with her so far other than the light switch. Light still works if I hold the switch in, but it won't stay in.

Rather than get it replaced, I bought a Bendy Light, which is much brighter, and she was good to go again.

I'm not sure I can make the service but could someone let me know where to send flowers? ;)

So sorry to hear about your machine. But, do know there are many others out there that need parts. You could still recoup a good amount by selling the parts on ebay etc.

And are you absolutely certain it's the computer and not something else that would be cheaper to fix?

Thanks for your condolonces. What really burns me is that I have probably $1500 tied up in special feet for the 1260 that would also fit a 1530. The newer machine has a self-threader which I loath and the feet will not fit it for that reason. I am going to ask my dealer if removing the self threading part would make it possible to use my old feet. I am sure the answer will be no but I have to try.
My serger also needs to see the doctor. I "calmly" went through the owners manuel and rethreaded it again and again. It still won't work right and breaks needles as well as thread. More $$$$.
Before I try and get my dealer to give me a little something for my foot wardrobe if any of you are interested in a special foot let me know and I will see if I have it. I do so hate "waste".

I am pretty sure you need the "new" feet for the 220, check ebay for prices on the 1260 feet, I am sure you will be able to sell them, maybe not get a full return, but at least not a total waste.

Sorry about your 1260, it's hard when an old friend has to be "put down".

I will wear an arm band today. :(

So sorry to hear about your Bernina 1260.

I have a used Bernina 1530 that I am just starting to get to know. I hope we have many more happy years of sewing together.

I am so sorry for your loss.

debra

I had a Bernina 810 that passed away after 29 years of faithful service. I felt like I lost my best friend. When I went to replace her. I cried in the parking lot as the salesgirl put the new one in my car. She looked at me and wrapped me up in a hug. Made me feel a little stupid but better. Yet it still took me a month to unpack the new one. Now the new machine and I are pretty good friends.

Oh woe is me. Sorry for all the expenses and losing a your "friend" AKA Bernina.