My machine is broken!
 

Last two times I sewed my machine shut off in the middle of sewing. Called the store and they said it might be a loose connection or a circuit board gone bad. Can't get it there until next week. So, I'll be without a machine for about 2 weeks! :(

That why I didn't trade in my older Bernina when I upgrade to my Bernina 1530. Always have a backup. Hope it is just a loose connection and not a board. They I have heard are expensive !!!

Those mechanical/vintage machines are so handy to keep! I believe everyone should have 1 or 6 as backups.

Not good to not have a backup machine for times like this. I have two machines I use all the time but, I do have three others I could use if I needed to. They were bought over the years and at different prices.
I don't have any machines with boards, I hear the boards can be expensive to replace.
Good luck I hope it is a cheap fix.

Oh no! I hope it's an easy fix. Fingers' crossed for you.

hahaha....I have 12 backups! I'm set. I have a friend who has over 40, but she will never have to replace a motherboard or chip--they're all treadles or cranks.

I only have one machine you all are scaring me.

laughing out loud

You mean I wasn't suppose to buy these 12 vintage machines plus 3 newer (not nearly as expensive as most of you great quilters) Singers and Elna???? The 12 vintage Singers are always at the ready because when I finish a project with any one of them, it is oiled, lubricated, cleaned, new needle put in and covered with a breathable cloth. One of them has been converted to a handcrank and when we had a power outage.....went to candles, a cup of tea and that precious Singer!!!! Now, I do rotate them so that no "one" gets upset.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has 2 or 6 or 12 back up machines. My best purchase was a treadle, because whether there's electricity or not, I can still sew. I purchased those LED lamps that have the solar battery charger, too. After living through Hurricane Ike (and no electricity for 5 days), I was so glad I had the treadle and the lamps.

Also, I believe that everyone should have one mechanical machine. The Singer Featherweights are great. It only has a straight stitch, but it's a workhorse and once you get familiar with the machine, most problems can be solved by yourself.

[QUOTE=mermaid;7201284]hahaha....I have 12 backups! I'm set. I have a friend who has over 40, but she will never have to replace a motherboard or chip--they're all treadles or cranks.[/
Just have to add that at the very instant I hit that submit button this a.m., there was an explosive "boom". For a moment I tho't I had caused my computer to die..it went black. Then I realized an elect. Transformer had blown down the st. Funny I was typing abt treadle machines. I didn't need to use mine today, tho.

I can't imagine having one machine. Put out the word you want a used sewing machine and someone will have one stuck in closet they forgot about.

My thought exactly!!!

I am so sorry that this happened to you that's why I feel like I should get a back up in case something like this happens. I hate being with out a sewing machine.

I could not survive with only one machine , at least two are must have in life . And of course always Bernina .

I agree with always having backup machines. I only have 4 tho:)

love that one or six :wave::sew::sew::sew::sew::sew::sew: giggle and that does not include your serger?

Ha Ha!!! So true!!!

seriously looking at hand crank machines ...... thinking it would be great mental exercise, like holding your toothbrush with the 'other' hand on odd numbered days.

I have 2 backup machines- a featherweight and my Bernina 180.

I can't imagine having only one machine either. I would feel so uneasy if I thought I could not sew. I have "many", some computerized and some treadles, and many in between, but all will do piecing perfectly. Many of mine were $20-$30 on Craigslist.

This happened with my Brother machine. It was dust in the foot pedal. Cleaned it out, and then it was fine. It happens occasionally, and cleaning always takes care of it--I vacuum it.

I have lots of backups too...I just fall in love with neat old machines over and over and they have to come home and join the herd And I use them all!

I really enjoy maintaining my old machines too, I can't tell you why exactly, but there's something very satisfying about opening them up and lovingly putting just a dab of grease or a dot of oil in just the right spot and feeling how the motion smooths out. Plus I'm just entranced at the engineering in some of these machines. I think gears and levers are beautiful. :)

When I go on vacation, it's always a tough decision to decide which machine to bring with me. Usually I bring my most neglected machine and rediscover why I loved it in the first place.

But I have to admit, at home, my 6600 gets the most use of them all and occupies the primo spot in my sewing room. I love my vintage machines, but I love my modern miracle machine too. :)

That's why I bought a backup - just a cheap little Brother from Walmart. Now I have also added an antique (not vintage) Singer so I can treadle during lightening storms.

Did you check the plug in at the foot pedal. If that comes out just a little the machine won't run. Ask me how I know! Luann

Tkhooper.....maybe you better find an older machine inexpensive to keep on hand?
U sounded so funny! Lol

Several years ago, my daughter bought me a Featherweight to take to classes. When my Bernina was in the shop for two weeks, I started using the Featherweight. Now, the Featherweught is all I use for piecing. I love that machine! I am no longer concerned when my Bernina is in the shop. I don't use it that much now. So far, anything that has gone wrong with my Featherweight, I can fix myself. I hope you will not have expensive repairs on your machine and that you will not be without it for long.

For years & years I had only one machine. But now, I have my Featherweight, 2 Brothers, 1 Kenmore, and 3 treadles. I think it would be scary to have only one now. I use my FW the most. And oh, I forgot I have an electric Singer in a cabinet that I use for bindings because I keep my walking foot on it. I've only had the Kenmore in shop once because the reverse stopped working.

So agree with this. Even if it is an older machine as a backup, it will come in handy when the primary has to be serviced. To me, it just makes sense.

Serita

Check yard sales and thrift stores for a vintage machine to be used as a backup. I have three such "backup" machines. :)

Hoping it will be a minor fix:)

I hope your machine is too sick :) In November my machine stopped working and I was in a panic. I called the dealer and he told me the same thing you were told... I thought "a circuit board I can't afford a circuit board!!" When I took the machine in it was actually only a $10 fuse... whew!! I ended up buying a 2nd machine while I was there so they didn't even charge me for the fuse.

I have 2 but thinking of getting another. The only vintage (?) is a 401 about 1959. I keep checking the estate sales but may go to one of the other stores just for an inexpensive backup. Things around here always go out in 2s.

Girl after my own heart, 7 sewing machines and 2 serger's, now what I need is room. I would check paper and Craigs list for an older all metal used, here in FL we find a lot of them.

Yep, I have about 7 back ups, one never knows....LOL

What kind of machine do you have. Some Janomes are bad about the foot pedal going out....then most of time, you can take it apart and clean dust bunnies out and it will work fine....just be sure the spring does zoom across the room when taking it apart...foot pedals are about $80-100 dollars, so clean first, if you find out that is what it is. But don't turn your machine over to the tech until you check the foot pedal as suggest in previous post.

I have 3 machines but all are electric. I need to get my treadle in working order for any power failure I might have.

Yep, as my DH says, "there is no redundancy in tools". When I managed to throw out the time on my Bernina 440 recently, I pulled out the Bernina 910 and finished the project that evening. Current machine count:14

1 Bernina computerized, 1 Bernina Electronic, Bernina Serger, Bernette mechanical, 70s Viking, 70s Elna, 70s Kenmore, 2 Featherweights, 3 Singer 301s, Singer 66-6, Singer IF treadle

I have three vintage machines and enjoy them from time to time-just for fun. I also have a treadle that come in handy recently when we had a power outage for 26 hours. I did have to replace a mother board in my Bernina 1130 and it was expensive-I don't want to do that again. I hope your repair is not too expensive. I would ask to have the problem diagnosed in your presence so you can make a good decision. Also, for your future sanity invest in a back-up machine. I would recommend a vintage type machine because the are inexpensive, are reliable and fun to use.