I need some one to commiserate with me. My sewing machine just died! I took it to the repair shop for a free estimate, but you know what that means.
I sew on my machine everyday and now that last simple pleasure is taken away.
I must say it has been a good friend to me since 1984. It is a Singer and was one of the first electronic ones on the market.
I have looked at "new" machines, but the ones that compare to mine are so expensive.
It looks like I will be hanging up my quilting. Getting old is not for the faint at heart!

Don't despair, I read almost every day on this board where someone has had a great deal with a yard sale or good will or whatever, and nabs a vintage singer that is still going strong for just a few dollars. A lot of these seem to be cheaper than your service would have been, had it been repairable. So keep a good eye out, and perhaps you will be back sewing sooner than you think.

Look in thrift stores and on Craigs list. You will find a new machine that is inexpensive. Don't give up your quilting, Until then, maybe a hand piecing project like GFG or applique?

If you got a new Singer in 1984 you got one of the ones with plastic parts. Get an older machine, with all metal parts -- they are rugged.

Don't let a little setback stop you from quilting!!! I bet there is another machine out there just waiting for you to adopt it. Put a "wanted" ad on Freecycle or Craigslist, sewing machines are the kind of thing that people will be happy to pass on to you.

Additionally, perhaps you could update your profile to include your location (just general vicinity) you never know a member here may just be near you and have a machine that needs a new home.

This time of year, there are lots of yard sales--maybe you could find something there. Or perhaps your sewing machine repair shop has something gently used that would meet your budget.

I’m so sorry your trusted machine broke. I can sympathize when my last one broke I was without a machine for a loooong time. I don’t know what your budget is but maybe you can find a good solid quality older or vintage sewing machine at a yard sale, craigslist or 2nd hand store. You may even have luck on freecycle.com Here’s there link http://www.freecycle.org/ ((((HUGS))))

I think you just need to get out there, yard sales,thrift shops, estate sales. There are lots out there. Seek, and ye shall find...Best of luck with your search.

Yes, please do. I would be more than willing to help, if you are in my area. And with the kind members we have here, i'm sure you can be on the road to sewing again.

Some of the older machines actually have a nicer straight stitch than some of the electronic ones.

Some beautiful quilts have been completely sewn by hand.

I think either Jinny Beyer or Judie Mathison (spelling?) make many of their quilts by hand.

It is upsetting for a trusted piece of equipment to fail, but newer and more expensive isn't always the answer.

im sorry! keep looking!

Goodness start telling everyone you know and don't know you need a sewing machine. Someone will have one stuck in the closet. Ebay has some great buys on older machines in excellent condition. Sears has great machines for the best price and very low monthly payments at Sears! White makes Kenmores now and White makes all the Janome machines.

Bless your heart! If you live close to me, I'd let you share mine.
Keep your eyes open at the yard sales. Maybe you can find something.
Hugs!

Ditto. After I got my FW a friend gave me her sewing machine that had sat around in it's unopened box for years, a Kenmore.

There are definately machines out there and they are often very inexpensive or free. In the last couple of years I have been given an almost new Brother, a 457 Singer, a Husqvarna 350 Prelude, a serger, a 201 Singer and a Featherweight! Put the word out at your local quilt shop, guild and church and you may be surprised at what turns up on your porch. I have shared some of my machine "gifts" with other quilters, my local 4-H, my daughter and kept some for me! If you're in Southern Ontario, I'll share with you too.

You never know, I just gifted someone a new kenmore that someone have given to me, It was one of the 100 dollar ones, I have a 30 year old kenmore that works fine and she needed it more than me. That was 3 weeks ago and she has turned out 2 beautiful quilts, no need to have to have a fancy one :)
If you have a stash of fabric bet you couls sell some and make a hundred bucks pretty fast on here!

I paid $61 for my 1956 Singer 301 and she quilts better than my Elna. Garage sale season is coming. There's a machine for you out there.

Sorry about you machine. I'd be sad if my Elna had a problem. When you've been together for years, you get attached.

How horrible to be without a machine, but don't despair as like others have shared, there's a machine just waiting to be treasured. My hope for you is that soon you'll find it. Check out Craig's list, yard sales, estate sales, and this board. If you have a local dealer, let them know you're looking for a good decent trade-in machine. Possibilities are out there.

Theres a wanted section on Craigs list try to post there.
Don't give up!
I live pretty close to ST Louis and theres sewing machines on Craigs list almost every day.
Try a city near you.

At various times I have had as many as 12 portable machines around the house, along with a non-portable and a treadle. They were almost all free. Check out your local thrift stores too. And while you are at it, pick up a spare or two.

I have a "cheap" Brother machine purchased 4 years ago. It just keeps working and working. It's very reliable, but, I confess, I just do piecing on it. At the time I bought it, it was $89, so I bought it telling myself that if it turned out I liked sewing again (30 years since last stitch was sewn), I'd get myself a better machine. 4 years later, I can't bring myself to get a better machine!

A machine like this could tide you over while you search for the machine of your dreams.

Good luck!

You never know where one will pop up. I was asking in a WalMart that had discontinued its fabric department where I could find a fabric store close by and got to talking with the lady stocking the shelves in crafts. She 'just happened' to have an industrial machine that she wanted to find a home for. When I asked her how much she wanted for it the answer was 'just come get it out of my garage'. Needless to say we found her house her next day off!

Keep your chin up it is surprising what may happen. Other people have listed some of the same ideas that I would suggest. Just don't give up on something you really enjoy.

My Brother recently died too. I cried and cried. I wanted to buy a new one, but just couldn't afford it. At the same time, my MIL found an old Singer at a thrift store. She didn't know my Brother had died. Things work out!!

Wish I knew where you are I would cetainly share my spare until you could find some kind of replacement. I do not know what I would do with myself if suddenly I had to stop sewing/quilting.

It is Jinny that sews all of hers by hand. Amazing :thumbup:

Don't give up on the quilting! Find a "temporary" machie in a thrift shop until you have time to decide what you want.

I have extras, where do you live?? I'm in the middle of Nebraska.

I just stopped at my favorite second-hand shop yesterday and they had two older all-metal sewing machines. One was portable that I had never heard of, started with an "F" for $25. and the sign said "Sews Good" (the shopkeeper had tried it and stated that it sews good). The other one was a Good Houskeeping in a cabinet for $50. and was also in good working condition. The machine looked like it had hardly been used and the cabinet was in very good condition as well. I thought about buying one, but I already have about 13 and with no electric it just didn't seem to make sense to purchase yet another electric machine.

Don't give up. I am sure you will find the perfect machine at the perfect price with all these good wishes around you! Its a good idea to let us know your general area too as I am sure someone somewhere could help you out to keep you sewing

Keep your chin up and your eyes open, read the want ads, go to yard sales or church sales, you will find one you can afford if you just keep looking.

Look for a good used machine. Check out your local sewing machine dealer. They are always taking in trade-ins when someone wants to upgrade.

Keep your eyes and ears open for a good sale. Also check all your sewing machine stores. You can get new machines for little money down and NO interest. Sewing machine stores also have an assortment of used machines. Get one and START SEWING. You need to sew to keep your soul healthy.

Talk to independent repair services. I know there are very few of them but it's worth a try. They usually have some old ones that are in running condition. If there is a senior center in your area check with them too as they usually have sewing/quilting activities there.

Jane

Don't give up your sewing! My mom needed a new sewing machine and I had one in my shed I was not using. I gave it to her. You never know! I'll pray that you can get another great machine soon. The Lord can do some amazing thing!

Ask the repair man if he has one to sell at a reasonable price. Quite often repaired machines aren't picked up and he may only want his cost out of it and you get a great deal! There are always free or near-free machines -- get the word out to everyone you know. Our God knows the desires of our heart and will provide! (Psalms 37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.)

Please let us know your geographic area, I've got a machine I would love to find a new home for. I have also found a perfectly good really strong Kenmore machine at a thrift store for $15.95 and it's a champ...please don't give up. If all else fails, I like hand piecing too and it'll keep you going rather then give up!

Go to your local quilt shop and see what they have in the way of machines that were traded in. Sometimes they have an older machine (better than the new ones) that you can get at a good price
Go to yard/garage sales, rummage sales, look in the local ads in your newspaper, tell friends to keep their eyes open for you, look on CraigsList for your area, look on EBay. I got a wonderful FW and a Singer Red Eye (1914 vintage) both in perfect working order on EBay and very reasonable.
If there is a quilt guild near you, put the word in there also. Maybe one of the members has a machine they don't use anymore.
DON'T GIVE UP QUILTING! Do some hand quilting til you can get a machine.
DEAR GOD IN HEAVEN, please bless this wonderful quilter and bring a machine to her doorstep somehow, some way.
Amen.

Amen!!

I went on Ebay and got a beautiful Brother computerized refurbished machine for $149 w/free shipping. It works like a charm and sew with it everyday. There may be other deals out there that would interest you.