Thank everyone for their opinions and advice. I'm surprised that the majority of folks suggest waiting on repairs on my Bernina, and I do love it so I wasn't going to get rid of it, just frustrated with having it out of commission.

You all are great and a good backup for me not wasting money. I guess time & space were what was eating at me to get a new machine. The kenmore has done a lot of heavy duty sewing for me & now its just a matter of not having a sound sturdy place to set it up and it is so heavy. My current sewing area is not good & the Kenmore makes it "rock, rattle & roll!"

My husband would love all of you for suggesting I not go out & spend money!

Debs & Hemi

This is why I won't have a computerized machine. That high tech stuff doesn't last. ALL MECHANICAL for me!

Set up your Kenmore and get to know it. If I had your treadle I'd have it up and running too, for when the power is out or when you just want to peacefully put some quilt tops together the old fashioned way!

I have a Kenmore that actually just makes a whir sound when sewing. I am going to try to find a machine as a backup until I can find someone to fix my Kenmore.

Use the vintage Kenmore till you find out the real deal on the Bernina, then if you have to make a choice to purchase you can get another Bernina with a clear conscience and spend the extra $200 on that.:)

I'm with Rachel - I'd ask for a loaner.
If they have an ounce of customer satisfaction sense, you'll get one.

Just have to jump in here with my Bernina story. I have the 950. The foot decided it was not going to go down anymore. I called the Bernina store where I purchased it. They had said in a recent newsletter that they were no longer going to have the K-stand in the shop to use for repair. I called to ask who they recomended for repair. I was told "We suggest you buy a new one." I repeated the question about repair and was told the same thing again. I have contacted my Janome repair person to do it for me. I am thinking it won't need the motor for that repair anyway. Lucky I have backup machines. You shoud use your Kenmore while you wait.

These common scenarios just emphasize to me that it's good to have a back-up machine. I LOVE my high-tech, computerized Berninas, but it's good to have a vintage mechanical in the closet for just such occasions. It helps if you don't expect a computerized sewing machine to last more than 20 years. If my computerized babies function beautifully for 10 years each, I'll consider anything beyond that to be extra credit. I expect the mechanicals will sew for my kids, too!

WELL! I would contact Bernina, since they should CARE that you are a happy camper. When a mfgr doesn't service what they sell it is time to go to a competitor!!
:(

for the record i bought my Bernina 1630 in 1993 and this was the only repair ever needed and it was due to a strong magnetic exposure from a very low flying airplane landing at the airport ....my 1630 now lives at my Daughters and i go there to FMQ.

this was my first comment...above was my second and yes the landing gear bearly cleared the roof

Debs thanks for asking this question. I have no backup at all. My Janome has served me well with no problems at all but have thought for a long time it would be nice to have a emergency machine. All the responses have really helped me frame the options.

I love my OLD BERNINA 830. I purchased it used about 30 years ago and it is still going. I would see about purchasing a used machine from your Bernina dealer, I wouldn't waste money on a CHEAP machine. Once you've had a BERNINA you won't want anything else. I don't think I sew as much as most of you quilters but I have made about 15 double and queen sized levi/denim quilts in the last few years and my machine is still humming along. No problems....

Buy a Janome Gold for $200.00 and you won't be sorry.
Not a lot of stitches but sews beautifully and very light weight.
The J Platinum is nice as well with more stitches but a little more money.

You Janome will run for years and years. I love my 2. One for home and one for classes and retreats. Of course, they both get used at home too.

Use your Kenmore. I was told it was the best machine ever made and I can honestly say my girl sewed thousands of miles before I retired her. Still my favorite machine of all time.

Check Craigslist for a cheap newer model. It never hurts to have a spare for these situations.

You need a back up sewing machine! My 4 year old Pfaff, it's motherboard went out and the repair guy had to send for the part from China. Four months of waiting!?!?! If I didn't have my back-up machine I would have gone off the deep-end. My backup machine is my old Bernina 830. She is over 36 years old and still runing, and running and running and probably has a million miles on her. These so-called high tech machines aren't what they are cracked up to be.

If you decide to go with option C, make credit for the leather foot part of the bargain since you just bought it.

If you decide to buy a 'smaller' machine, make sure it has everything you need for quilting. I would not recommend giving up the 'fancy stitches' if you love them and it sounds like if you're buying a leather foot you need a heavy duty machine so I'd still consider either repairing your Bernina or getting a comparable machine.

Just MHO

I haven't read this entire thread, but would suggest asking for a loaner until your parts/cable arrive. If you like the loaner which obviously will be used, perhaps you will trade up.

I own 3 Brothers! One for everyday, One on my frame for quilting and the other is my serger. Brother customer service is great! They will tell you they make a model that is comparable to their models on the higher end just for wal-mart. I think people like what they like. Some of my family thinks I am crazy cause I put a QBOT on my brother they think I should have bought a new machine but why it works perfect! So if you have one that you can use or if the shop will lend you one I would go that way. Save your money for fabric and fixing your baby. Good Luck

I bought my Kenmore in 1958. It has cams that make wonderful decorative stitches. I love my Janome 4800, but that old Kenmore is my go-to machine for heavy duty sewing. Of course, mine is in a cabinet, so lifting it is not a problem, but if I were in your shoes, I would set the Kenmore up and leave up until you get the problem with the Bernina settled. froggyintexas

I have owned an old universal which did good till I burned it up, have my grandmother's old Kenmore which always goes out of tension wack, had a Viking, which was really nice compared to the others and liked that I did not have to mess with the tension, then purchased a Bernina 165 10 years ago because i wanted an embroidery machine and a friend of mine worked at the Bernina dealer. She had also worked at several other fabric shops with other brands of machines. She said that Bernina was one of the best built machines on the market. Now each of us has an opinion, another friend would never let her Pfaff go. Personally, now that I have finally become close friends with my Bernina, I would never let her go. I would buy a Bernina backup machine. It does not necessarily have to be new, can be used. I would check craigslist, ebay, or LQS. You will find one that is quality and price right. Get that Bernina fixed, they are an investment. Bernina holds their resale price pretty good. Now a Brother, to each their own, I have had guild members buy one and they took them back because would not work right. If you buy one in a LQS, you will pay more, but they will hold up on service. I have not heard either way on a Singer, but there are some reasonably priced Elnas that are a decent quality and good workers. Hope that helps some and more food for thought.

Hi Deb....well first off how old is your Bernina...is she older then 10-15 yrs...if so you might want to get another machine...if shes young and things arent going to cost a lot for repairs then have her repaired......in the mean time if you want something not to expensive look into buying a new one on HSN.....you can go online to hsn click on crafts and you will see all the sewing machines they have and watch videos on each one and their fairly in-expensive.......I will tell you a short story here I had one of those Kenmore 100 lb machines and I never moved it...as you said it was heavy but I di all my sewing on it and I wish I still had it...it died after 20 yrs so I parted with it.....I then bought a Brother it was computerized and I still have it and its the lightest machine I ever had....you dont have to use a pedal...it has designer stitches....but its so light that when I do quilting it just couldnt handle the weight of all that fabric so I use the machine mostly for small projects...and last year I bought the Singer Futura.....it embroiders, sews, quilts and serges this machine is amazing...Ive always wanted an embroidery machine but I wasnt going to pay a zillion dollars for one so I got this one thru HSN...easy pays and got loads of feet and software for designs etc...the best part is you can d/l any designs online for every machine out there as I said its amazing the price was $ 800.00 at the time but now you can get it at Joanns and some quilt stores and thats my story......so I think you just have to sort out in your mind what you like best...I wish the best...but dont always think that the most expensive machine is the route to go...because it isnt.....Trish

That was my first thought too. It's like driving a nice car with bun warmers and everything adjustable and then having to drive a no-frills jalope.

My Pfaff died last March...the part was no longer available..I now am loving my Viking but very disgusted a machine that cost so much was not able to be repaired!

Ditto!! I have a Brother SQ 9000 and it is great. Also have a Janome 8050. I love them both.

Fix it! if you like it or trade on a new one.

Quilting Angel....your so right I have a Brother too....and as I said in my earlier post its worked for me for 10 years and its a small machine which I picked up at Walmart.....it did all my sewing and I can take it anywhere its so light and doesnt take a lot of room to put away or leave out in my sewing room.....so I feel as another member posted its like buying a new car you have to do some research or just hope you get a good one...the thing is to keep in mind you have 30 days anywhere to return so take it for a ride and decide....Trish

Debs, I wouldn't write off your Bernina just yet. I have an 1130 that I bought in the mid 1980's. The mother board went out twice and just simply stopped dead both times. The first time, the machine was young enough that my dealer simply replaced the mother board. The second time (many years later) it had to be sent somewhere in the mid west to have the board rebuilt. It wasn't inexpensive either time, but worth the cost of repair because it's a really great machine. My own opinion about what you should do is consider using your older machine temporarily or borrow one and spend your money repairing your Bernina. It's worth it if you love your machine like I do.

My oldest Daughter has a Brother she bought several years ago from Wal Mart for under $200.00 and she has sewn lots on it. It has an extension table for it. It has never been in a shop. It is a very good machine.

I had a choice to make, either get a lighter machine or stop attending classes and the sewing group on Monday's. I decided to try Brother's machine which cost less than $200.00. It has worked well for me - no problems - Because it's light weight, I never planned on quilting with it so I never experienced it moving all over the place. If it did I'd just use rubbermaid shelf liner under it. I can manage the 13 lb. machine along with my wheeled carrier - a lot lighter than my 35 lb machine.

I love Berninas and I have three of them. I have lots of other brands too(Baby Lock, Brother, Pfaff,several vintage machines), but Bernina is my fav. Well worth whatever it costs to fix it...or trade in on a new Bernina. I bought a Brother SQ on clearance from Walmart to take for stitch camp, or to fix something on the road. It has about sixty stitches, comes with a a 1/4 inch foot, walking foot and clear sewing table...it is ok, sews well, but it feels like a toy to me. It is ok for traveling or as a backup, but I wouldnt want to sew on it constantly.

Go to Craigslist.com for your area. Lots of machines on there at really reasonable prices. Check it out. Some are really nice MACHINES CHEEP...... Even nice FW's You have to type in the words sewing machines. I've bought several high dollar machines CHEEP

I have to concur with the others. Use your Kenmore and get your Bernina fixed.

I wish I could say I'd NEVER buy a cheaper machine - but 1. I cannot - due to finances, and 2. I never know my future circumstances to say what I'd NEVER do. I have a WalMart Brother that I purchased because the one I'd had before lasted a good long time - are they perhaps throw aways? - yes, but when one does not have tons of money to spend they sure come in handy. They have both helped me earn enough money that I could quit my job and stay home with my children. Not a living, but enough... If I had to choose between using an older machine and buying a new one while waiting to have a really good one repaired - I'd use the old one.

I have an old Kenmore that is a work horse, and I have a FW that I do all my pieceing on. I do not like the newer electronic machines, they do not work well with me, I always seem to have a problem. I am looking for a treadle machine. If I were you I'd use the Kenmore to get my projects done and maybe later trade in the Bernia.

Scuse my ignorance but what is a QBOT?

I have one last thought about the sewing machines....seems most of you own a Bernina......I can not afford one and years ago Kenmore,Singer and Brother were the only ones available in my era anyways.....I dont have anything against Bernina but why do they have to be so dang expensive?
It costs enough for fabric and the things that go along with sewing....Ive been to our quilt shop here and the shop sells only Bernina Ive tested them and sat there and sewed on them...and yes they have a lot of nice features...but there is no way Iam going to spend $2,000.00 or $3,000.00 on a sewing machine just like Huquavana I recently found out that Singer is just a cheaper modle then Husquavana that they have merged and Singer is HUSQUAVANA so who cares what the sewing machine brand is...if it sews and does what you want and like then so be it....just my two cents...Trish

No one said it had to be...she asked opinions and people are just giving theirs :(

Sorry Margie...I didnt mean to upset anyone.....Trish