MizMelly

Yes, I keep telling myself it would be good to buy a machine now, and keep my older big one as a backup. However, the cost on the one I want is over 1K and i'm still paying off a vet bill! sniff. I'll have to see how things work out with the pension and my last check payout, maybe I can put it on layaway!

lawsonmugs

Jaba I made 1 towel already and I am starting the second. Did you want two matching towels? I had planned 2 different ones but can make them similar.

jaba

2 different ones are just fine. Make what you planned, I will love them. Would you rather have 2 different? no problem I can do that and keep 1 of these for myself

sewbizgirl

Can't help you with a recommendation Jaba, as I only like hand embroidery. I did see a ton of the new emb. machines at Quilt Market in Paducah, and those things were as big as Sherman tanks. They must have had a time getting them in and out of there! A quilt show is a great place to see all the new machines and even test drive them.

tlambing

Please know, that I wasn't suggesting that the towels be matching or not. I was just wondering what you guys were doing! I think we should go with our gut! And do what we feel.

I just can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

lawsonmugs

Thanks Jaba, I have made 2 different ones and hope you enjoy them. They go in the mail tomorrow. I will love whatever you send. I am not fussy. Raised to poor and taught to enjoy what I'm lucky enough to receive. Teresa I was wondering what all are making also. Isn't funny how we can all translate the same phrase. It's a sunny and beautiful sunday here.

MizMelly

Ok, I'm done now for the foreseeable future. Darn piece of JUNK Singer Featherweight!! It's been giving me nothing but fits, and now I broke a gear!! It's my backup machine, and frankly it was probably a good thing it sat in the closet most of the time. I was trying to change the stitch selector and the knob froze up and broke! I can do one funky zigzag right now, which works for one thing I was doing, but I guess I will have to sit and wait til my good machine comes back. Hopefully within a week. Grrrrrrr.
What can you expect for something made overseas (will not say where in case someone has one!!) It was a newer Featherweight, a 221 in case anyone is wondering.

sewbizgirl

MizMelly, take a look on Craigslist in your area. There are always lots of the old sturdy Singers for sale... for pretty cheap. Those things never wear out (unless you leave them out in the backyard in the rain for 40 years or so...). Something like that would make you a great backup machine without breaking the bank.

sewbizgirl

Just looked in your area, MizMelly... Here's a real gem for you, a Singer 301a slant shank machine IN CABINET for only $95! It's a steal of really great model.
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/hsh/5614989820.html

$50 buys this awesome little Singer Spartan!
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/art/5574248180.html

Here's an amazing-looking Brother from the 50's for $40. Oops, needs repair, but I would buy this if I was close enough to pick it up, just to set it on display!
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/atq/5587741830.html

Life is too short to sew on crappy machines!

MizMelly

Thanks for the info, Sewbiz, my main machine is a Janome Quilter's Companion 6260.What a workhorse! I have thrashed that machine for years and it never fails! I took it in for servicing because the timing was a bit off and I wanted to get it done before I retire. Plus, I had a 20% off coupon for the service from the local Janome dealer, so it was worth it. Too bad about that little Singer. Anyway, I've gone through a number of Singers over the years, I call them throw away machines because they do not last, many parts are plastic and they shred. So I won't buy another one! I'm looking at a lightweight Brother for a portable machine -- the Janome weighs a ton in comparison! I normally buy new because of the warranty. I will inquire about getting the Singer fixed before I donate it, but I probably won't spend the money on it because I'm afraid of what it's going to cost. That part for the stitch selector will have to be ordered and it's not cheap.
So, I've done what hand stitching I could this afternoon, but now it's wait time for the Janome to come home.