Withdrawals....
 

I have three sewing machines. I have a serger, which really doesn't get used much but love the end result for when I do....I have a fabulous Husqvarna Diamond embroidery machine, Which can also be used as a regular sewing machine, but my ALL TIME FAVORITE is my Singer/Kenmore, 8-stitch machine I got when I was 13. That thing is a tank, and she's been through a lot with me.

I had to take her in for service a few days ago due to tension issues. Not a big deal, but therepair man said…..I'm booked, you 'may' get it back in February, but most likely the first week in March! I about hyperventilated!

Now I could use my Diamond….but it just doesn't feel the same to me. I want my baby back, and without her I am going through sewing withdrawals.


*sigh*

Does anyone else have their favorites, which nothing else seems to be able to replace? Or am I just old and set in my ways?

Now would be a perfect time to clean and organize the sewing room, at least for me. I need a good reason to do that!

I always have hand work, long arm work and piecing work going. So if one machine is out of commission I turn to one of the other projects. When I had to send my LA back to Texas for some major repairs I did miss it but had the other projects to occupy myself with. I would take this opportunity to try and bond with your other machine. Start an applique project you have been wanting to do or use it for piecing to see if you can't like it just a bit better. Remember things could be worse and you could not have any backup machines at all!

By the time you get your baby back, you'll be used to 'making do' on your other machine. I do have my favorites as well. I need to spend more time using my vintage machines, but I always go to my Juki to do pretty much everything. I have it set up in my main sewing space and have all colors of bobbins loaded for it, etc.

I bought a Singer 301 at an estate sale about a month ago, and haven't even sewn on it yet. Shame on me!

Close your eyes, and breathe through your nose. Now get out a book and look at patterns. When you are done with that, go to your stash and start picking colors, and cut pieces for your next quilt. The time will go by. You will see your baby again.

Face it, your baby needed to be serviced so that she can continue to survive a lot more decades. Find something else to do like reorganizing or hand work as suggested above. At least you have a dependable service man doing surgery on your baby, someone who you can trust. Hang in there! :)

If I had a sewing machine that I felt that way about and it is affordable, I would buy another of the same model. It would be much less expensive than those other machines you listed, and when one machine develops a problem, the backup is there. It never fails, when I am pushing to finish something on a deadline, the machine just won't cooperate.

Those are good suggestions. My husband told me "just get over it" and rolled his eyes. Now that I am crabby he's rethinking his tune. LOL. Reorganizing is a good idea, but I know I'll spend my time picking out (yet more) patterns to work on.

elnan: if I could find another one, I think I would buy it! But it's already 35+ years old. But if I ever see one.....It's mine!! :)

The more I read here the more I know we are all so much alike. I have a Viking Sapphire, a Bernina, a small Janome and a Featherweight. I use the Sapphire and absolutely am determined to master the others some day in the future! The Janome is small so she travels with me but I have yet to really learn the Bernina and I have never tried the Featherweight.

When I had to use my backup machine I realized how small its throat is and how bad the lighting is. Then I got to the end of the seam and there was no scissor button. I just about had a kanipshen (so I understand what you are saying) - how am I going to get that thread cut????? I momentarily panicked until common sense stepped in and I reached for my scissors. lol

I can't imagine having a Diamond and not using it!! I have an SE and a Sapphire. When one goes in for something, I sew on the other and I love the one I'm using at the time the best! LOL!

Linda in Missouri

When I purchased my Janome 6600 about 4 years ago, I thought it was way more machine than I would ever need... then I upgraded to the 8900 (just had to have it) but my 6600 is my "go to" machine so I have only used the 8900 a couple of times.

Yes! I have my favorite machine and she is an old White from the 1950s that sews straight and reverse stitch and that's about it. Love her for piecing. She was my first sewing machine. I also have a Brother but as you said it doesn't feel right. Hope you get your baby back soon!

We have a very busy repairman. Fortunately you can "book" a repair visit, like an appointment so you don't really need to let your machine go until a day or so before the work is done. That doesn't help if there is a problem and it won't work, but if its just for a tune up etc it works well.

Actually, yes! I relate to sewing machine detachment. I always feel that a part of 'me' is missing...not much different from when I left my kids with relatives when DH and I would get away for a weekend.

Deep, deep breath!

I remember way back when, my dishwasher broke, couldn't get a repair person there for several days. I also briefly panicked about all those dirty dishes, until I realized I could fill up the sink with water. We are so spoiled. LOL

I feel your pain. I love all 4 of my machines and think of them as each having their special gift. When one has to go out for repair or tune up I miss it, but then I find something to do on one of the other machines...

Rob

I too have a favorite. It's my 221. I do have others that I just purchased. One of them is a 99K. I haven't even tried to sew on the other 2. I am going on a trip this week and taking my fav. When I get back, I will have to try the other 2 machines.

Just sit back relax and take a couple of deep breaths. Do something else you enjoy and before you know it, your baby will be home. She does need some down time too, even it is to get repaired!

Cathy

The machine that I really, really, really love is my Juki 98Q...a straight stitch only machine. But it is wonderful. Besides it, I have an old Viking #1--not the #1+....and I use it occasionally, I have a Juki Exceed F600 that I keep upstairs and I love it, I had a Pfaff Tiptronic 1171 that I totally loved. It just sewed. Whatever you put under it, it sewed. I never thought I would find another machine I liked as well till I got the Juki 98Q. When my daughter needed a sewing machine, I let her take the Pfaff home because it just never gives any problems.

I feel your pain. I usually go into withdrawal if my Janome 4000, has to go in for it's routine "physical exam", however, I was fortunate enough to find an older Brother machine for $0, best price ever. It really does a great job stitching, in fact I think it's shorter zig-zag stitch is better, but at least I have an alternative. I had an older Kenmore machine, which served me well for many, many years, and it was exceptional at thicker fabrics and quilts. Unfortunately, I managed to burn out the motor - very disconcerting to have smoke coming out of your machine.

I think we can all relate to this! We all have our favourites & when we have to let them go for one reason or another, it's hard. Stay patient, I hope time flies for you. Enjoy your Diamond Royale........it's an awesome machine. I traded mine in for the new Husqvarna Epic & I said, the Epic had better be good to beat the Diamond. It's a pretty amazing machine but the Diamond is also pretty awesome itself.

I can identify with you. My favorite machine was my Bernina. Several years ago, the machine was in the shop for repairs for about six weeks. After a few weeks, I got out my Featherweight which I had never used. In almost no time, the Featherweight became my favorite. Now, it is the only machine that I use for piecing. The Bernina is used for appliqué and FMQ. I am so glad that I finally started using the Featherweight. I love, love, love that machine and I can service and repair it myself.

Try the 301, you might like it....made my granddaughters wedding quilt on 301, it did a great job...like it better
then my Featherweight

Peg

Oh dear. I have three machines, and I have to say, I like my Singer Featherweight the best, but I use all 3 for different things so I'm not really attached to any. I like all the suggestions given, but Onebyone's I should follow, so that would be a good place for you to start. It's amazing how fast days fly by and it will be March before you know it.

I feel your pain. It's hard to be without my favorite machine. I'm having withdrawals just thinking about taking mine to the shop for servicing and it needs it. I think I'll just breakdown and do it after reading here and either use a different machine for a few days/weeks (I shudder to think weeks) or start organizing. I got those comic book cards for Christmas and haven't started organizing my fabric on them yet. Darn, I really want to start a new project instead. Isn't that always the way it is?