Older Model Machines
 

Have any of you regretted trading in an older model, non-computerized Top Of The Line machine for a current one with all the bells and whistles?

I regretted trading in my Bernina 1630. While I love my 180 there were features on the 1630 that I used a lot. It was computerized and top of the line in its day. I'm not that big on having all the bells the whistles. I've learned that I don't use many of them and can easily do without many more.

I avoid the computerized digital machines like the plague. Every single quilter/sewist I know who has one has had very expensive repair bills that usually involve replacing a computer board or chip of some kind. Plus I can't stand the built in LED lights they usually have.

oh, I am a bit too spoiled by some of the features of the newer machines. and one of things I like the best is the lighting.

Trade in my mechanical, metal geared machine? Absolutely not. I still use it more than my new one with bells. Forty years and going strong! I have to consult the manual when using the new Bernette, but I really just wanted more automated stitches.

It was an early computerized machine, but I still miss my old Viking Rose. Parts died and were unavailable. I do like some of the newer features of my current Elna (big harp, auto cutter), but Rose did everything so well!

Well, both of my top of the line machines (when I bought them) are in the repair shop 80 miles away. I cringe when I think of what the bill will be! But I held onto my Singer 99K and my Harmony 8080 all these years, and the Harmony 8080 has come out of the closet to sew. Still works like a dream and is much quieter than my other machines. Hold onto one of the older machines if you can...they can be a life saver!

I had a Brother purchased in 2017. It was not computerized, but had 37 different stitches, most of which I never used. I boxed it up when I purchased my vintage/antique Singers. I do mostly straight stitching and have a buttonhole and zig zag attachments (well I have 3 buttonhole attachments) which work on all three of my Singers. I also inherited a Pfaff 362 and another Singer from my MIL. The Pfaff does have embroidery stitches built in if I ever need them. I love how easy it is to keep my Singers running. I don't need to bring them anywhere for repair. My hubby is a retired mechanical engineer, which helps when something does go wrong.

I spend a lot of time sewing so I want the ease and time saving of several new features like the auto thread cutter, needle up/down and speed control. I have several vintage machines that sew great but I rarely use them. I won't trade them in, the trade in value is not worth hauling them to the shop.

My newest sewing machine, purchased in 2007 (I think), is a Bernina 440QE. Its bells and whistles have been surpassed by the newer machines, but it does everything I want it to do. In fact I wish I hadn't bought the embroidery module for it, since I have no interest in machine embroidery. Perhaps if I had a newer, snazzier machine I might get used to having other features like the auto thread cutter, but right now I can't imagine why I would want that. I have several vintage machines as well, and my go-to among those is the Singer 301. The only two things I miss when using the 301 are the needle up/down and the knee lift for the presser foot. The 440 hasn't required much shop maintenance at all, and I can take care of any issues with the vintage machines. I honestly think if the 440 were to die, I would be happy using the 301 for piecing. I do have a longarm for quilting though.