What would you do?
#31
I don't know about that particular model Singer but if it's running well - why not use it? Buy the $15 foot .... heck buy a $20 walking foot too. That's a lot cheaper than a $400 machine. Looks like it's a low shank foot.
You say she 'inherited' the machine from the MIL - did they MIL pass away? or will she be insulted that her machine wasn't 'good enough'? How about the hubby? How long has she been sewing on it? a few months? a couple of years?
Buying a new machine is like looking for a new home...you have to know WHAT you want before you buy and you have to know your BUDGET.
Personally I'd just probably buy a few feet for her (check ebay) and let her grow into sewing and let her figure out what she really needs.
You say she 'inherited' the machine from the MIL - did they MIL pass away? or will she be insulted that her machine wasn't 'good enough'? How about the hubby? How long has she been sewing on it? a few months? a couple of years?
Buying a new machine is like looking for a new home...you have to know WHAT you want before you buy and you have to know your BUDGET.
Personally I'd just probably buy a few feet for her (check ebay) and let her grow into sewing and let her figure out what she really needs.
#32
Then maybe a little bit later she can get another machine and say she has gotten so much better and needs to expand her horizons!
Last edited by EmbQuilt; 11-16-2011 at 04:52 AM.
#33
i would actually talk to her about it---is she really attached to the machine? she may not have any interest in a new machine-
also---would her mother in law be hurt- maybe not-
if you do go for a new machine tell her she should still hold on to the older one- you just never know when you might need a back up-
i have been on both sides of this---actually all 3 sides of this- my mil gave me an old machine years ago when i was sewing my kids clothes by hand- later that year my mother sent me a newer machine- i stuck the older machine in a closet- another year or so went by i got my sister sewing-on the old machine- that old (machine from mil passed around between family members for 20 years- then i gave it to my daughter when she turned 21- and had her own daughter to sew for- then her mil gave her a much nicer new machine a year or so later- one of my neices kids are now using the old-old machine-it is still in the family---we just pass machines around to whom ever needs one at the time- there are no hard feelings- as we could get better ones we did- no one ever expected us to keep on using the old one- the old one was one to keep us sewing until we could get a better one. i can think of 4 different machines over 20 years old that are still being used by siblings, kids, grandkids, neices/nephews- they are excited to get the machine- and as soon as they get a new one they either put the old one away-or pass it on until someone else needs it.
also---would her mother in law be hurt- maybe not-
if you do go for a new machine tell her she should still hold on to the older one- you just never know when you might need a back up-
i have been on both sides of this---actually all 3 sides of this- my mil gave me an old machine years ago when i was sewing my kids clothes by hand- later that year my mother sent me a newer machine- i stuck the older machine in a closet- another year or so went by i got my sister sewing-on the old machine- that old (machine from mil passed around between family members for 20 years- then i gave it to my daughter when she turned 21- and had her own daughter to sew for- then her mil gave her a much nicer new machine a year or so later- one of my neices kids are now using the old-old machine-it is still in the family---we just pass machines around to whom ever needs one at the time- there are no hard feelings- as we could get better ones we did- no one ever expected us to keep on using the old one- the old one was one to keep us sewing until we could get a better one. i can think of 4 different machines over 20 years old that are still being used by siblings, kids, grandkids, neices/nephews- they are excited to get the machine- and as soon as they get a new one they either put the old one away-or pass it on until someone else needs it.
#34
#36
Thanks for all the input. The MIL is a very touchy person, so perhaps upgrading the current machine makes the most sense. In fact, I think I will write her a note letting her know how much DD is enjoying the machine and tell her that I am buying some new feet etc. Thanks also for the website info for parts, that is a big help.
#37
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: howell, Mi
Posts: 2,345
I have 2 walking feet that I bought for my old Kenmore. They fit my "new" Janome. I know they were not very expensive, because if they were, I wouldn't have 2. I would just get her the feet that she asked for and wait and see. It would be a shame if giving her a new "better" machine hurt her MIL's feelings. You can always gift her with a new machine later.
Sue
Sue
#39
Since most Singer feet are interchangable I would get her them for now, if and when this machine is no longer usable you could get her a new or newer Singer that would use the same attachments. Or, I would speak to her MIL and ask if buying her a new machine would offend her and if not maybe see if the MIL wanted to help you with the cost of a new machine and give it as a joint gift, that way you may be able to get an even better machine with more bells and whistles.
#40
Power Poster
Join Date: May 2008
Location: MN
Posts: 24,407
i would actually talk to her about it---is she really attached to the machine? she may not have any interest in a new machine-
also---would her mother in law be hurt- maybe not-
if you do go for a new machine tell her she should still hold on to the older one- you just never know when you might need a back up-
i have been on both sides of this---actually all 3 sides of this- my mil gave me an old machine years ago when i was sewing my kids clothes by hand- later that year my mother sent me a newer machine- i stuck the older machine in a closet- another year or so went by i got my sister sewing-on the old machine- that old (machine from mil passed around between family members for 20 years- then i gave it to my daughter when she turned 21- and had her own daughter to sew for- then her mil gave her a much nicer new machine a year or so later- one of my neices kids are now using the old-old machine-it is still in the family---we just pass machines around to whom ever needs one at the time- there are no hard feelings- as we could get better ones we did- no one ever expected us to keep on using the old one- the old one was one to keep us sewing until we could get a better one. i can think of 4 different machines over 20 years old that are still being used by siblings, kids, grandkids, neices/nephews- they are excited to get the machine- and as soon as they get a new one they either put the old one away-or pass it on until someone else needs it.
also---would her mother in law be hurt- maybe not-
if you do go for a new machine tell her she should still hold on to the older one- you just never know when you might need a back up-
i have been on both sides of this---actually all 3 sides of this- my mil gave me an old machine years ago when i was sewing my kids clothes by hand- later that year my mother sent me a newer machine- i stuck the older machine in a closet- another year or so went by i got my sister sewing-on the old machine- that old (machine from mil passed around between family members for 20 years- then i gave it to my daughter when she turned 21- and had her own daughter to sew for- then her mil gave her a much nicer new machine a year or so later- one of my neices kids are now using the old-old machine-it is still in the family---we just pass machines around to whom ever needs one at the time- there are no hard feelings- as we could get better ones we did- no one ever expected us to keep on using the old one- the old one was one to keep us sewing until we could get a better one. i can think of 4 different machines over 20 years old that are still being used by siblings, kids, grandkids, neices/nephews- they are excited to get the machine- and as soon as they get a new one they either put the old one away-or pass it on until someone else needs it.
For 90% or more of my sewing, a good straight stitch is all i really need!
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