BellaOnline Forums Hobbies and Crafts Quilting Machine Hate

I hate my sewing machine. The baby took a wonderfully long nap today. So, I thought I would take advantage of it and do some work. It was either that or do the laundry. I never used the machine much until I started quilting. So, I can't say how long it has had a tension problem. It has given me problems off and on for the last year. Either it works perfect, leaves a ton of thread behind my fabric so I sew quite a bit before I notice or, most recently, it is so tight that it puckers the fabric. And, just for fun, it will jump back and forth between the two. The tension adjustment knob doesn't do anything to help. It is either working well or doing wild things to my fabric.

Maybe the quilt fairy would stop by my house and leave a top of the line machine. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> I keep dropping the pictures of the new machines in places where Philip will notice, but so far he hasn't grown any fairy wings.

So, the question is, do I get serious about buying a new machine or have this one fixed? How good of a machine could I get for $300 to $400?

Michelle

It depends on what you want out of your machine. What are you sewing on now? I understand the Janome Gem Gold is a wonderful little machine for about that price, but it has it's limits. There are so many choices out there that I think you should start with a wish list and see what fits the list for the price you want to pay. Then test drive them.

Michelle, I know what you mean by having a machine you hate. I just spent 3 hours sewing a 1/2 inch length. I took my machine apart and put it back together AAAHHH <img src="/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" /> Frustration reighs. I don't know about 300-400 dollars but I found a new one for 699.00 I am saving for I hope in two weeks I will get. It is a PFAFF non-computor but who needs that stress.

Maybe you need to leave a picture of the machine on Philips pillow or in his dinner. Hope it works out.

Oh, I am new to this post it looks interesting. Talk to you later and good luck. Jean <img src="/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Michelle...you can find a good used sewing machine for $400 or so (I would stick with Pfaff, Viking, Elna, or Bernina) . It sounds like your tension disks are worn - it may or may not be worth having it fixed. Call around to some sewing machine shops and see what they say. Most of them will give you some money in trade as well.

Good luck!

Tammy