if u like your machine buy the pedal who knows what you will end up with a new machine.

If you really like what you already have, spend the money to fix/refurbish it. If you are ready to get rid of what you have, be prepared to spend enough money to replace it with what you want.

If you have sewing machine repair shops near you, go try out their trade-ins. Sometimes there are some good values to be had. I burn up a cheap machine in a couple years, so keep in mind you may have to trade up sooner than the old metal machines that lasted forever.

I would look at freecycle and at the thrift stores for another foot pedal...for that matter, you can usually get a sewing machine at a thrift store for 10 or 15 dollars, if you like the used machine you find, then use it, and if you dont like the machine, use the foot pedal from it on your old machine.

Gee my Mom has bought about 7 sewing machines at second hand stores (Goodwill, Pawn Shop, Salvation Army....etc....you get the piture)....stand and all range in price for 5.95 to 50.00.....keep looking check out the Yard Sales....Estate sales.....I don't think I would put 70 in a pedal...unless you loved your machine....I bought a computer one from Allbrands.com.....LOVE it....500.00 machine I got for 200.oo....been reconditioned....but LOVE it....now I might put that 70 in it...Good luck...

I wouldn't pay $70 for a foot pedal, unless it was a special machine to me. Also wouldn't buy a cheapie machine, they just don't last. But like gcathie suggests yard sales, thrift stores, etc., I've bought 4 or 5 at auctions, just bought my gd an older Kenmore at the Humane Society thrift store for $10. Works just fine.

I got a Singer 401 slant needle machine in CABINET for $25 at the Goodwill - this is the machine that has a gazillion built in stitches and no electronics to go bad!

Now when we lived up north in Indiana I had no luck at all finding decent used machines anyplace - thrift shops, garage sales etc, but since we've moved down here I've managed to find quite a few.

If you do decide to got that route, look for the older Singers because those machines were built with metal gears and made to last....

for straight stitch machines the 301 can't be beat - the feed dogs drop and they are FABULOUS for stippling.... If you find one of those for less than $200 grab it and run but don't celebrate until you are far away from the place that sold it :mrgreen:

Another good straight stitch machine is the smaller 185 but be prepared for a machine that weighs a TON... you'd never think that tiny machine weighed so much.

If your machine with the bad pedal is a really good machine ($$$$) and worth the money invested to replace the pedal - go for it. If the machine was less than $200, or especially if it was a $100 machine from Walmart, don't bother... just put it back in the closet and think about it another day :roll:

Sometimes getting a $75 machine to use WHILE YOU WAIT FOR BETTER $$ times is a good move. It gives you something to use while you wait and you don't feel so frustrated wanting to sew. Yes, it will have to be replaced sooner than later but you also know that you actually got some sewing done in the meantime.

You can also check out sewing machine dealers and look at their used machines but be very careful there - sometimes they want practically what the machine cost new and lots of the 'newer' machines have plastic gears that crumble.

Electronic machines are nice because of all the things they do but what all do you need to quilt?? a straight stitch! if you are into garment construction a zigzag may come in handy...

I have embroidery machines but for all my quilting I use my 301 from the 50s

Don't forget about Craigslist. I do a search on 'sewing' and 'quilt' all the time. Usually tons of older sewing machines for under $100. I got one for $50 that came in a cabinet. It worked fine until I started dinking with the bobbin case and screwed it up. :( There's a tip: don't dink with what works!
I have the cheap Brother from WM. It does fine for me. I just do basic stuff with it.

Hi,

When my pedal decided it was going to try and die, my husband took out the screws on the bottom and made a very minor adjustment. The pedal still works like it did when it was new! I would try that before anything.

Where in WI are you? I'm in MN and willing to give you one of my pedals if it would fit... I have 7 machines and I only use 1...

Anita

BUY A USED ONE AT GOOD WILL SALVATION ARMY OR CRAIGS LIST

Let me check... I don't think, though, that anything I have will work, but I did try to help.

Anita

http://www.sewingmachineparts.net/se...ols_cords.html

has a chart that may help determine what foot controls will fit. He may have your part, just not listed online.

Done a search and came up with this one for $44 including s&h.
http://sewingmachine221sale.bizland....re/page36.html

This ones on ebay. It looks close. You can email the seller and see if they can take a better pic of the plug.
http://cgi.ebay.com/POWER-CORD-w-Ped...d=p3286.c0.m14

You don't always need that specific brand/item number. Which could be why you found it so pricey. You may even be able to call a local sewing repair shop and describe what it looks like.

I wouldn't pay that price for a foot pedal. You CAN try sewing machines out at Walmart. Thats how I got mine. Otherwise take the pedal to someone who may be able to fix it.

Oh, found one. $27.99 total!
http://cgi.ebay.com/Sewing-Machine-F...d=p3286.c0.m14

goes to show you... we try to help each other!!

Anita

I had a broken pedal some time back. I took it to my sewing machine repair person and he ordered me a new one. Works great!

I definitely would check out used machines I have one used from a dealer and one I bought at a rummage sale wal-mart machines are ok if you get a good one but if you get a bad one it will be gone (sent away) for service more than at your house Sandie