sewing machine *sob*

[mrsflibble]

sewing *sob* machine *sobsob* not working *sobs again*

*sob*



(I do however have many fingers in many "how the hell do I mend this" pies)

[marshlander]

And why is that they always break down when you are really wanting to get on with something? I think they do it on purpose! I think they are made too complicated these days. My mums machine did straight and zigzag, end of story. She traded it in after 40+ years for a new one that she still hates. My current machine can do 101 fancy stitches that I never use, has a case full of attachments that i never use but throws a strop if I want to sew a straight line!

I get so upset with mechanical and electrical things when they won't work. Like you I'm afraid I get all tearful, emotional and not the least rational! Ye Gods and little fishes! blame it on hormones!

Luckly, there's a sewing machine God a few miles away who picks up, sorts out and returns the offending item!

[barefootlinzi]

oh nooooo!!! disaster!

if my sewing machine gives up the ghost i have 3 non leccy machines(2 treadles and 1 hand crank), buti still havent figured out how to work them, its on my roundtuit list!

[QuakerBear]

It's at times like this that you realise just how quickly a machine can do a seam...

[mrsflibble]

Right, my machine is totally fux'd, and it's uneconomical to get it fixed. £30 for a repair on a machine that only cost £39.99 new is rediculous. I've found another the same on ebay but am trying to decide whether to go for the same machine as the one that's just died on me (el cheapo but expensive to repair; Delta) or go for a big name brand. James has agreed that because sewing keeps me sane and sophie funky he will buy the next machine so I don't have to save for it out of my "silly money" budget... basically I have £40 from him and whatever I can put towards it so I might get a brand new but better one. I don't know.

I do have a spare machine, but it is so old I can't use man made fibres or threads on it, the foot pedal heats up astronimically so after sewing a seam I have to unplug it for 5 mins; it's a conversion somebody did to a 1930s russian machine in around the 1960s to make it electric. Later it had a british plug added. I don't want to part with that 'cos it's quirky and fun, but I can't sew on it as it annoys me lol!!!

[QuakerBear]

If you see any Elna for sale maybe try one of those. I've got one and it's got a lovely even smooth motion. Mine's basic but very sensible if you know what I mean, it feels like a seamstress designed it rather then someone who thought seams in the shape of little ducks would be really useful. I heard someone else recomend them as well.

The only problem with them is that they're Scandenavian and parts are starting to become harder to get for the older models.

Good luck with finding one you can live with. I understand how sewing machines are like husbands, the right one is perfect and a joy but the wrong one is just plain anoying.

[tiggy]

Dear Mrs Fibble, Iam sorry you machine died as you are so creative and a girl needs her tools. Is there a local sewing machine repairer who might have a good quality 2nd hand one for sale ?rather than a cheap new one.Do you have a chance to get a round bobbin singer hand machine as a back up, I kept mine because its handy for simple stuff and is human powered but I have an electric with some fancy stitches as well.I admit Iam not in your league when it comes to dressmaking though. Good Luck and I hope you soon get a new machine

[clare]

I know just how you feel without a machine,mine keeps me sane too.
Marshlander,funny 'cause my mum had an electric singer for 30 years(very basic)gave it to me then it packed up after 8 years and I got a superduper modern thing(not quite so many stitches) and it's so tempermental but I've had it 10 years and it's still going so I suppose I shouldn't complain........

[mrsflibble]

I will be looking for a quality second hand one, I don't think I'd like to go for another delta after seeing the few on ebay thatare for sale; most of them are inexplicably broken grrrr. it was such a great machine while it worked!

thanks for the sympathy though guys, I needed that.

[Ratty]

You have my full sympathy too. I'd not be without mine. I have a Janome. Fairly basic but very good. I agree that a reconditioned old one is a good choice - also Freecycle/Realcycle. They come up from time to time on ours. Hope you get it sorted soon. I have been thinking of you and your sewing marvels recently as I've been making patches for Ash's many holey jeans! x

[LBR]

That's why my mother has three sewing machines. You just never know when you'll need that other one.

[mrsflibble]

if the pain of the loss gets too bad i the meantime I'll go to my mum's house and commandeer hers for a day lol!