How sad for you. There have been lots of great suggestions here. I would check out your local Goodwill or Salvation Army thrift store. Ours always have sewing machines at great prices and even let you try them out to make sure they work.

so sorry for your loss,
there are a lot of good ideas above, and the hand work is great, I do a lot of it1
Hope you can get another machine soon!

I am so sorry! I wish I were closer because I would sure be willing to share.

:mrgreen: don't hurt yourself :lol: :lol:

wish you were close, have a few extras I've had given to me. cost an arm and a leg to ship them. :(

I'm so sorry to hear about your broken machine and your current situation as well. This might seem like a dumb question, but is your machine possibly still under warranty? Even if it's not, I'm thinking that it can't hurt for you to call the customer service department associated with your brand of machine and explain to them what you've been told about the repair costing more than what you paid for the machine. Depending on how long you've had the machine, I wonder too, if there's anything the manufacturer might do to help you out??

Certainly, it can't hurt to try, and you'd only be out a phone call, hopefully to a toll-free number. Have you considered getting a second opinion? What if the first one isn't accurate? Do you remember breaking a needle just before your machine quit working? That is often what mess up the timing. Ask me how I know, lol.

You've been given some excellent ideas here, hope something works out for you soon.

I would be calling all my friends and asking if they have an extra machine that you can use!! Most sewers have more than one and many of us, more than 2 :oops: . Also shop yard sales. Someone might be willing to part with one for a couple of dollars just to get the darn thing out of the way since they don't know what to do with it :D

And, yes, if you've never tried hand quilting, give it a GO! It's actually fun!

try calling a local quilting guild. maybe they can help you out. someone there may even have a very affordable used one. try every thrift shop within fifty miles. call first. call all the quilt shops near you. they often know who wants to sell a used machine.

So sorry to hear this. I have been there. Folks have offered up some great suggestions. Hope one or more of them work out for you.

I think I might get out my needle and do some hand sewing after the pep talk on here! LOL!

Sorry you are having a tough time of it...Everyone has come up with some really good ideas, so hopefully you will find a solution. Don't lose heart, remember quiltmaking also had it's roots in hardship.

Handpiecing is a very addictive, meditative occupation, just what you need when things are not looking so bright. Hang in there....things will get better...love, light and peace from the land of Aus.