I just pm'ed you. If you live close I have a machine.

Angie

I just got an idea for you after reading all the great suggestions from your quilting sisters. Check with your LQS to see if they have get togethers for project linus or other charity quilts. The LQS I worked for had extra fabric set aside for this - We cut a quarter yard off every new bolt for this when it came in. They usually have extra sewing machines for people to use. You could get your quilting fix while you are searching for another machine. And who knows you could come across a machine through the store and/or customers. Also, some quilt shops like to have projects on display. Maybe you could check with them to see if they would like you to come in and work on a display quilt for them. You'd get to work on quilts and they'd get another display quilt(s.) Good luck and let us know how this goes for you.

Oh no.....you can't give up quilting! Your temporary mission is to find a new machine or better yet, a used machine. Ask everyone you know to be on the look out for you. You will find something. Until then get something new started and cut cut cut :-D Wish you lived close by, I'd loan you one of mine. :D

I don't think White makes Janome machines. Janome makes Janome machines.

You might also try your local pawn shops. I found a janome last week for $75!

You might also try your local pawn shops. That's where I found a janome last week for $75!

Try and find an older sewing machine off Craig's list. Like other's mentioned the older ones are better. Look for a singer 15-91, singer 301, Singer 99. Some will be straight stitch only and no reverse but you can definitely quilt on them. I would look for a singer 15-91 if I were you. (has decent throat opening, reverse and zig zag but it is a heavy machine)

I didn't think you could just stop quilting. it's like eating, a necessity.

I have found several good machines at auctions, i got a singer for 5 dollars one time. Some of the repair shops sell used machines too. I would panic if i only had one machine and it broke. Last count i think i have 10 different machines. and they all work. lol

I am making my quilts on a Brother that I paid $89. When it dies, I will go to a thrift shop or ask someone in our guild if they have a machine they don't want and if they would sell. I wouldn't give up my passion for quiltmaking no matter what, I would find a way.

Let us know where you are so we can alert you to good deals in your area. So sorry for your *friends* passing. Best wishes for a new best friend.

Sorry for your loss. In addition to all the wonderful suggestions, have you thought about checking out ebay?

I have two Singers....bought both within the last five years....each one was less than $175 and I love them. If it's between sewing on a "fewer do-hickies" machine and not sewing at all........well.............Look into your heart. Are you REALLY finished with quilting????Don't put high priced obstacles in your way, my lovely friend! and YES!! Yardsales NOW!!!! They are WAITING for you! Sigh...............Hugs..............

Do not stop your quilting/ This is the second time this month that mine decided to act up and I have only one so sometimes that is a problem but something will come along. I agree with some of the others that you could do some hand piecing for now. Never give up something you love to do.

Pity we don't know where you live. Some of us may have a spare to share.

I've found a lot of older machines at yard sales. Last week I found one with the cabinet for $6. I had to leave it as I have no more space. Good luck I hope you find one you can use. I would have for you to give up sewing/piecing.

Check your local craigs list, many machines can be found for under $50.!:)

Give up quilting?! NO - say it isn't so! I'm with the reply about giving general geographical area - I have two Jenome's - in case one quits on me - and I gave away a regular machine to a friend who wasn't sure she was "into" sewing who has used it for years and put many miles of fabric through it. Getting old isn't for sissies, for sure, but there are some of us who have more than we need that are more than willing to share with those who don't.

I want to thank you for all your wonderful suggestions. I have found a machine to use as long as I like. Now I can search for the perfect one for me. Alas, I live near Livermore, California. Most of you seem to live east of the Mississippi..............

I lived in Tracy for a few years and tehre was a great group of quilting ladies there. I learned tons from them. I know there was at least one lady here on the board from Tracy. Google quilting in Tracy and see if you can find them. May be worth a try. sewyogaga and grandma1 both live in Livermore

Mayber Alex Anderson could give you a hand, I thought I heard she lives in Livermore!

Look on Ebay, i bought a beauty for $25, and it's in a cabinet, love it more than my brand new one and use it more.
Hope you manage to carry on quilting, such a shame if that was the reason for giving up.
sending hugs

I bought a singer confidence quilter machine in December. I absolutely love this machine. I also could not afford those pricey ones. It does everything that I want it to. I have done two quilts on it and freemotion quilted the lap quilt. Now I am free motion quilting a large queen size. The best part is it only cost $299 and comes with walking foot, extension table etc. I got it inside Joanne Fabrics at the Huskvarna sewing center.

Hang in there, and let us know how it works out. HUGS!

Don't give up!!! Check yard sales, estate sales, ebay, local newspapers, etc. and search for a used machine. You can't stop now!! Too many patterns and too much material out there for a quilter to drop out of the group.

Please check craigslist in your area; go to rummage, garage and yard sales - you WILL find another machine. Do not despair!! I'm one of those lucky ones who just happened upon a 1949 Featherweight at a yard sale for $20!! Those bargains are out there, you just have to go look!!
Good Luck!!

Since your sewing machine is down (temporary) you have plenty of time to get started on your next quilt. Wash, iron and cut. Worry about what you can control and put the word out among your friends about needing a machine. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

You can find a nice machine for $20-50, if you are patient and check yard sales and your local Craigslist. Think outside the box-- you don't have to go out and buy a new sewing machine. Hope you are quilting again real soon...

try thrift stores, yard sales, the newspaper, etc for a good used one....some poeple have 1, but seldom use it and finallly sell it.

good luck and may you find your machine soon but please do not give up quilting

I remember when my machine was being repaired and was gone for a week. I was miserable too. But like others have already said, you can find some really good deals at garage sales and Craig's list, etc. Good luck! I would hate for you to hang up your quilting.

I feel your pain. I too had my Singer crash and burn several years ago, just days before the quilt I was machine quilting on was to be judged in a quilt show. I took it back to the shop where I bought it, he said it wasn't worth fixing because it wasn't mean to do the amount of quilting that I did. Duy!! I told him this when I bought the machine. Well, after lunch and a conference with my husband I went back to buy a Janome and he gave me full credit for what I had paid for the machine. I was desperate and also fortunate that I could afford a new machine at the time. I have since literally "Lucked out" by going to our local recycling center. After checking out the swap area I was just about to leave when a gentleman was bringing in an older Brother machine. I asked if it worked, he said yes, and I took it home to give to my daughter, as she wanted a sewing machine. It has been a great stand-in when I need to take my Janome in for a tune-up and yes, you guessed it, my daughter never got the machine. Then a year or two ago my girlfriend was at the recycling center and took home a Sears Kenmore machine, about the same vintage and with very similar bells and whistles, so now I have 3 machines. If you don't have a local recycling center, I would suggest going to consignment shops as well as checking out Craig's List, and yard sales. I picked up a Kenmore in a cabinet at my church yard sale and gave it to my daughter-in-law. I had also acquired a Singer for $25 at a yard sales several years ago, which I had loaned to my sister when her machine "bit the dust". When she passed away two years ago I was going to take it back and find a new home for it, but one of my nieces asked if she could have it for her daughter Kelsey and I couldn't refuse, for sentimental and one too many machines. Hang in there and keep an eye out and have your friends keep their eye out. PS. I switched repair shops several years ago when they said they had fixed my Janome and it didn't work right, so I took it to another sewing machine dealer who fixed it up that it ran better than it ever had. Check another dealer too.

You can tell which company built any Kenmore sewing machine, simply by looking at the model number on the metal "nomenclature" plate. The first 3 digits before the decimal are the company code, while the remaining numbers are your model number.

117- White Sewing Machines (most USA, some models made in W. Germany)

119- currently unknown

120-New Process Gear (USA, a div. of Chrysler)

516-Gritzner Kaiser (West Germany)

158-Jaguar/Maruzen (mostly Japan, some Taiwan)

148-Soryu (Japan)

340-Necchi (Italy)

385-Janome (Taiwan) (Currently)

Most who are Kenmore experts say the 148 is the best made.

I agree with the lady about showing your vicinity. If you were near me, I would gladly help you find a machine. we
bought two at sales this morning for $10 each. those old mechanical Singers just can't be beat. I am talking pre-600
series. if you find a 201, grab it & run. singer 401 has lots of stitches, not the bells & whistles of new ones, but
prefect for piecing and so worry-free. see---everyone needs to have at least two sewing machines for times just like this !! good luck !

Yes! Freecycle is the way to go. Sometimes members are just waiting for someone that will love their machine. It is well worth joining and the folks you will meet are amazing. I am the proud owner of a 1892 National treadle machine and a 1951 Rotary Reversew from a fellow freecycle member. Freecycle works and the only price is the pick up.

Oh don't quit! I'm sure you can find an inexpensive machine at a yard sale, thrift store, dealer that takes in used machines. My Janome was a used machine and I love it. Could have never afforded it new but the Janome dealer encourages trade-ins for people like me.

Get a cheaper model until you can afford the one you want. Or,shop yard sale and estate sales. You don't have to quit!!!

Try your local stores for trade-ins. They always have them because of people wanting to trade in and buy new ones. Local ads might lead you to one or how about the computer avenue (e-bay?). Or get a more basic machine for now until you can get the one you really want. Don't give up - there's a machine out there with your name on it!

Don't give up...I just sold an older Bernina 730 Record for $100 at a yard sale. There are bargains out there. We quilters don't quit because of a minor set-back!!!

Ebay is a great place to look.
Often times, sellers don't want to hassle with shipping machines and will offer "local pick up only."
From what I've seen, these machine usually sell VERY cheap as by listing local pick up many buyers are excluded.

I've seen some wonderful machines sell for less than $25!

Now.... if I only had a handy dandy teleporter. I'd have a collection the likes no one has seen! lol