I thought it was dead!
 

Well, for the longest time I have been sewing on two el cheap o sewing machines. My DH uses one and I use the other. Neither of them have any fancy features. Nor, can I FMQ on either of them. I have been hoping for awhile they they would bite the dust. Last night one of them just froze up. I took it apart as much as I could and cleaned and oiled it and it still wouldn't go. So, I told my DH he was just going to have to break down and get a new one. Well, lo and behold, what do you think happened? the Phoenix raised from the dead. This morning when I went over to it and turned the wheel, the thing moved freely! I sat down and started to sew and it worked like a dream. I guess all that oil finally penetrated to whereever it need to go. So, I guess I don't get a new one for a while longer. Phooooooeeeeee.

Time to look at a Singer 66, 99 or one of the oldies.. You don't have a clue what sewing is like until you try one of the oldies..
Barri

maybe you could pretend it was dead and go get that new machine as a backup when this happens again?
surely there's some way to usher in that new machine ....

What are you waiting for? Retire it to the closet and go get a fun machine, you or the machine are not getting any younger.

I really like BellaBoo's answer..Maybe I should just get the new sewing machine, a long arm quilting machine and the Benz that I want.... I'm certainly not getting any younger !! LOL

You could have just pretended it didn't still work. LOL Retire it to the closet and tell DH he needed to buy you a new one. We wouldn't have tattled!!! LOL

I too have an el cheap o sewing machine but I love it and it does everything I need it to do for now. However, I often drean of it having a younger sibling but it may be a few years before that happens.

I dream of a long arm too...my monsters keep saying when they grow up and get rich they'll buy me one, I keep telling the DH I will be great with a short arm!! Love the family and the daily circus called our home lol
I sew on cheaper machines too, I don't dare try to even sample another at least I don't know what I'm missing!!! I'm really bad about oiling my machine where do you look for instructions on that and how often?

Come over! I'll give u one of my oldies!!

You can always look around for used, well-cared for machines. I have 2 wonderful workhorses that I paid less than half of list price for.

As far as oiling, your manual should have instructions for how often to oil, and an illustration that shows where to oil. I like to oil once for every 8-10 hours of use.

I didn't want to be deceptive but I sure thought about just taking it out of the cabinet and hiding it from him and saying it was just dead. And, I even thoght about fooling with the tentions to make them mess up, but my conscience wouldn't let me do that either. Oh, well, one of these days....... it'll surely die. heheheh!

Oh my goodness your sewing machine can hear? I know my car can.:o

Consider talking about treating yourself to a new machine. No reason to be sneaky, sounds like if you start shopping and decide what you want it'll be better then waiting til one of the machines dies anyway. Just think of all the research you can do:)

you know...you've used these machines for a long time. old is great but new will give you more artistic outlets, make you smile more, lift your spirits, enjoy your hobby more and in general make each day happy. we deserve it!

lol, so sad and yet maybe a good thing :)

Next time don't try to hard and you will get that new sewing machine that has dropped feed dogs so you can FMQ and give your old one to DH. Us gals have to think ahead if we really want something. Laughing

I have a very old Viking (abt a 1970 ) It was sitting on the ground wait for me to lift in the car, slid on it's side to ground, Now making LOTS of noise.. I"m heart broken, REALLY REALLY love that old machine. I take it to quilting class. It's been on it's last leg for awhile. :) :)

Save the work horse for piecing and treat yourself to an updated machine. They are like children, always room for one more :o

i think you deserve a new one just go for it even if the old one is still working

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.;)

Mine had that attitude too until I got him hooked. I started by saying honey, would you do me a favor and mark this pieces off for me. Then, honey would you do me a favor and cut them out. After so much of that, he said, We need to get some of this stuff I've marked and cut out of this house. Show me how to use that thang. hehehe!And, that is how it all began.

I hear you!!!! I don't think I'll EVER be able to buy a new washing machine!!! DH knows how to fix them!!!! GADS!

My dream of owning several machines has come true because I go to garage sales. It is truly amazing what people buy, then just don't use and finally sell for a super reduced price. I have amassed quite a collection of old Singers, including 3 FW's (one from my mom). Just stop in when you see a sign - you never know what you're going to find!!

Get a new machine. Life is too short!

I really think that this is a good idea. The truth is, I was doing the same thing, but the problem is, machines really do last a long time. If you have the money, go ahead and get a new one--a nice one. I wish I had gotten a nicer one a long, long time ago. It makes sewing much more fun and opens up all kinds of possibilities for you--if only in your mind. I only wish I had gotten mine a few years earlier (got a Janome 2 years ago--am 49 now). Spring for it, if you have the money--you really won't be sorry!

I had a New Home 1980's model and was itching for a newer one. I kept it for a longer time because there were very little machines that sewed better than that one. You may be disappointed in buying a newer one unless you get one that is mid to higher range $. Don't get one from Walmart or Joann, look at the local dealers for a newer old one or a really decent new one.

I did give up my old machine because I found a Janome in the same Memory Craft line that sewed like a dream. I do however still miss that old one and wish I still had it. The grass may be greener on the other side, but look out for the mud too!