Do you suffer withdrawal symptoms when you don't have access to your sewing machine? Yesterday mine went in for its first complimentary service after 12 months and it could take 14 days to come home again. So how am I dealing with that? Going to buy more fabric today of course. I have got on and prepared some appliques that I can do by hand that will go into a charity quilt, and maybe I could finish off all those almost finished embroideries, and maybe I could even do some housework and baking and ironing. How boring! Will I last the distance? :-(

Oh yes. My machine was on the fritz for almost two weeks before I got it fixed. About drove me nuts. Still trying to catch up on my swaps.

Yes I go in to a depression with out my machine. Have gone the wait 2 weeks route, and didn't like it one bit. I found a shop here that makes an appt. to service machines for out of town customers!!! I love it. They service my machine while I shop!!!!

Where in NC?

that's why I have 5 or 6 machines...to prepare for all contingencies :)

Yes, that's why I have more than 1 machine. LOL

Kill me! That is sheer torture.

I do hand work....or use one of my spares... :wink:

That is why I have back ups :D:D:D

Are we bonafide addicts or what?? LOL :D:D:D

Now is a good time to get the next project ready. Do all of your cutting done and you'll be ready to go!

I'm with alot of you guys. That's why I have 2 backups, always ready to go. I have given up many things in my life, but my sewing machine isn't one of them!

I miss mine when they go for fixing or when they die but there's always another in the closet waiting to take it's place.

oh yes, but I solved that problem by having several other machines that I can use if one goes in for a checkup. Actually got several of them really at a great price on craigslist and ebay. Also did the same, when I couldn't sew, I cut the material for my next project.

I have withdrawal symptoms when I'm home and have other things to do that keep me from sewing!

That why I have more than one machine.

Yes..even though I have 3 machines, I like my Janome the best. I scheduled its "tune-up" for during our vacation. I went and got it the next day after coming home. I had to share it with my granddaughter this last week...THAT was hard! :)

Absolutely, postively, huge withdrawel symptoms. Fortunately I have other machines but they are not as good as my bernina! It also gives me the opportunity to sort out my sewing room.

That is why I also have more than one machine. You never know when one will need to be serviced.

Well, I've almost made it through the first day, sorted my stash, bought some more fabric, drunk lots of coffee, changed my library books, done some shopping, now have pumpkin soup simmering on the stove on this cold and grey day. I just wouldn't have room to keep more than one machine - does an overlocker count - and anyway this one cost me a small fortune.

That's why I have 4 sewing machines:
1. the modern machine (Viking Rose)
2. a Featherweight (back up to modern and to take to meetings)
3. a hand crank (for when the power goes out)
4. a treadle (for when the power goes out and the hand crank is in for servicing).

I am spending most of the summer in northern Michigan at my starter farm. I would bring a machine here and have other times, but there is no where to put it and work. Too many people and kids. I worry too much that my projects will get damaged so I leave it all behind and now I am rethinking that I may not be here as much this summer. I have even concidered building a seperate building/sewing shed. ----- Desperate to sew/quilt may mean desperate measures.

very pretty quilt in your avatar...

I have 3 machines set up in my sewing room. When I first started quilting I had to send it to be repaired. I swore I would never have just 1 machine. I also have another for classes and when I go on a retreat I always take 2 just in case. My DH says it's overkill, I say it's smart :lol:

I'm into the overkill myself. My sewing room has four machines set up that can be used at anytime...there is also a serger and embroidery machine there. I have two machines for backup and two travel machines. I leave one machine in our storage closet, a large classroom, at the church where our guild meets and have loaned one to my son in another town. Let's see that is nine machines and a serger...OH WAIT...I forgot about the two treadle machines I have in my storage shed that both work...I just don't have room for them in my sewing room...have thought about bringing one in for use when the power is off, but light would be a problem for my aging eyes...LOL>

Oh my I can't count today...that's eleven machines, two treadles and a serger!!! No wonder my DH says NO everytime I say I want a long arm...LOL!!!

All I can say is WOW :thumbup:

World of Bernina in Raleigh

Nope, that is one of the reasons I have eight machines.

I know what you mean. In march I fell in the garage and I had 2 cookie sheets in my hand (we have a stove and a frig and 2 freezers) and when i fell my middle finger went between them and cut the end of my finger off and fingernail. I only had a small piece holding everything together. Of course went and they sewed it back on. Any way it didn't hurt, i didn't get upset.
Well anyway one week later my Viking 500 blew up. I was so upset I set and cried over the sewing machine and my husband couldn't understand it.
I have a 1949 machine from Sears and Roebuck my mom bought it a few months before i was borned. It will sew ANYTHING. It also take almost 2 people 2 pick it up.
I have my grandmothers Singer I think about a 1955.
Singer Fashion Mate, Embrodiery machine and a serger. But he was so kind and let me buy a Viking Sapphire. oh yes I also have an industrial machine in the garage that my father just gave me. He used to sew tack at the race track. Guess What I NEED A BIGGER ROOM!!!!!

I know what you mean, when I need to do cleaning, ironing, etc. I would rather being working on a project or cutting out my next project....HA!

I suggest you buy a second machine. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, just one that does basic sewing. And the best place for finding second machines would be yard sales and secondhand stores. You can find some great little inexpensive machines! And the seller usually is happy to let you try it before you buy the machine.

I solved that problem when I decided to upgrade my Bernina. The choice of upgrade depended on how many feet could be used on the new one. BUT I didn't turn my old one in on the cost. I kept it as a backup and when my baby has to go to the "doctor", I hook up ole faithful.

get a vintage machine! You can fix it yourself. Several old ones around here. When I want to sew I want to sew!

Look for an inexpensive "back-up" machine for just this reason!!

I am in NC and have a shop that does that...are you in Mooresville??

That is exactly why I bought another smaller, simpler and light weight machine to have on hand. I also use it to take along to class or sew ins. I knew I couldn't bear to be without a sewing machine for very long.

I would go crazy. That's why I have a back up. :-D

It's fun reading what everyone does when the sewing machine is in for servicing!! :lol: I have several machines... so usually I am not without one.

But now - oh horrors! - my daughters are wanting to abscond with my machines! Back! Back! Not Grandma's sewing machine!! It's mine.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

I lilke the way you think! How many builders do you think we would keep busy if we all could afford to have a separate sewing studio built! :thumbup: