tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post7801807756891984335..comments2024-03-15T06:24:43.983-04:00Comments on Diary of a Sewing Fanatic: Do you have a Back Up Sewing Machine?Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic)http://www.blogger.com/profile/02204627216540667980noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-31346386522801783182021-11-06T20:29:36.769-04:002021-11-06T20:29:36.769-04:00My back up is my Bernina 830. Still the best for b...My back up is my Bernina 830. Still the best for buttonholes. Still sews like a dream after 45 years. I have to wriggle the cord on foot control on my 11 yr old my Pfaff but still use it daily. Elna 745 overlocker has spent more time in workshop than at home until a local engineer found the design fault.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12281998498686453922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-14853518061216708402021-09-10T22:53:31.795-04:002021-09-10T22:53:31.795-04:00After reading all your posts; I have machine.
I ha...After reading all your posts; I have machine.<br />I have one machine: a White that I bought in college back in 1967.<br />It actually has a hand full of stitches and can make buttonholes.<br />I had my mother's old Singer; but it was made of plastic parts and I hated it.<br />I gave it to my niece who had no money to buy a machine.<br />I really wish I had my mother's old Kenmore from the 1950's. It sewed like a champ.<br />And whatever happened to my grandmother's really old machine from the 30's.<br />She made all her kids clothes; dance costumes and sewed for her neighbors and friends.<br />She made me lots of beautiful dresses when I was little. Even though it only did straight stitching she could work magic with it.<br />These days I lust after a good see her and something to quilt with; but I am retired on Social security; so all those expensive machines are only unfulfilled dreams.<br />Enjoy your blog and love everyone's comments. Keep on sewing!jaceagle47https://www.blogger.com/profile/01925226188745612121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-71641003398378103572020-12-15T19:27:31.024-05:002020-12-15T19:27:31.024-05:00I just ordered a new brother sewing and embroidery...I just ordered a new brother sewing and embroidery machine, I love the brother brand and was excited about ordering a new one. I have a passion for sewing, I love it and I'm starting a sewing business. So, my husband asked me what I was going to do with my old machine and I told him I was going to keep it. He thought I was going to give it away, but I told him I need a backup just in case something went wrong with my new machine. I'm glad I found your blog spot.SewingMaster7https://www.blogger.com/profile/02943552059106238880noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-26399166022530366132019-10-04T19:28:41.468-04:002019-10-04T19:28:41.468-04:00Like you, I have Janome 8900 as my main machine an...Like you, I have Janome 8900 as my main machine and I love it! I mean, I’m totally drooling over the latest and greatest from Janome (have you seen the harp space?!?!!!) but I’m not in the market for a new machine right now. And 8pI totally have a backup machine - a Janome 3860 - it’s a discontinued model but it still work great, it’s travel sized, and it has an automatic thread cutter. I don’t use it often, but I keep it serviced and it serves me when I need it!Doctor T Designshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01579737383030185168noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-80954532828254154712019-09-22T05:32:16.138-04:002019-09-22T05:32:16.138-04:00I always appreciate quality content, Thanks to you...<br /><br />I always appreciate quality content, Thanks to you for sharing such post.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.justsewingthings.com" rel="nofollow">Just Sewing Things</a><br />AMBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00801838722179338575noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-22610533314224347622019-09-16T21:54:42.320-04:002019-09-16T21:54:42.320-04:00So, my main machine is a Janome Slyline S5. I do l...So, my main machine is a Janome Slyline S5. I do love it! My back up machine is an older singer that I've had for years! I did have another machine in between these two but it was a Viking my mother in law gave to me. For the most part it worked, but the cams gave me a great deal of headaches. So, if all else fails my Singer works and that's all that matters. Plus I can only afford one amazing machine (expense wise) at a time. I also have a couple really old vintage straight stitch machines to quilt on. Variety is the spice of life! :)Jeanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11744073613012413496noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-29106159160761949272019-09-10T11:19:46.517-04:002019-09-10T11:19:46.517-04:00Thanks! That's also a good phrase to keep at t...Thanks! That's also a good phrase to keep at the ready.<br /><br />I like the Latin because I can hiss it at him almost anywhere, and hardly anyone else understands what I am saying.<br />LinBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18201009126846898608noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-43486941249385647982019-09-09T20:22:16.418-04:002019-09-09T20:22:16.418-04:00My main machine is a Babylock Ellisimo, a few year...My main machine is a Babylock Ellisimo, a few years old. I bought a backup babylock, lesser grade than the ellisimo. I bought this to take to classes and to bring on my camper. I also have my moms vintage Elna, but i don't use this, i only have it for sentimental reasons. I do wish I had kept one of my Pfaff machines, which I had traded in. I may invest in a backup Pfaff, because I truly miss the IDT system they have on their machines.Cathiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01478144292279247967noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-9479591878774359862019-09-09T19:03:00.686-04:002019-09-09T19:03:00.686-04:00I have two sewing machines a Singer 503A and a Ber...I have two sewing machines a Singer 503A and a Bernina 1000 designer. Both machines are mechanical machines. I'm getting back into sewing and I'm using the Singer because I like the way it does buttonholes which are important when making a button down shirt :). I don't consider either a backup really because the Bernina has special feet which make some sewing processes easier so I will use it when I need it. <br /><br />Carla CarlaF-in Atlantahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08645265029528219794noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-34007178892240129822019-09-09T18:50:20.503-04:002019-09-09T18:50:20.503-04:00I definitely have backupS! But they are so differe...I definitely have backupS! But they are so different from my everyday Pfaff. One is a vintage, 35 pound monster that makes the world's best buttonholes and the other is a Singer Featherweight. So, both are enough to get me through but quite different my my computerized Pfaff with IDT. Bunnyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03672695141031447916noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-6505237689543743692019-09-09T12:01:08.129-04:002019-09-09T12:01:08.129-04:00Machines are much on my mind at the moment.
Like...Machines are much on my mind at the moment. <br />Like you I love Janome machines. My back up machine was my main machine until the hubby bought me a Bernina a couple of years ago. I didn't get on with the Bernina, and swapped with a friend for a lovely Husqvarna. I'm now giving serious consideration to selling that and replacing it with.....a TOL Janome! <br />They make such good, reliable machines, and they're very intuitive too! I think, also, having sewn on a Janome since I was 16, I'm a bit stuck in my ways! We shall see. I'm giving the Husqvarna a good try out, but it's got to prove itself soon or it'll be off to the shop!Evie Joneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17838980250700215736noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-21928194726671866412019-09-08T22:46:01.601-04:002019-09-08T22:46:01.601-04:00Yes, thanks for asking!
I have several machines ...Yes, thanks for asking! <br />I have several machines (it's kinda like a little stable in an amoire in my sew-mahal). My main machine for sewing right now is a 24 year old Bernina 1630--computerized, very nice machine that is still working fine. The one I use for buttonholes is a Pfaff 7550 (also computerized, and makes a mean buttonhole with very little fuss, but doesn't have as pretty of a straight stitch as my Bernina). I also have a lovely featherweight, and a Pfaff 7570. 3 sergers: my original Bernette 334D (great, basic workhorse), an Elna 645 (love this workhorse, but it isn't too fun to re-thread; I'd recommend this as a backup for anyone who is looking for one as it does cover stitch, too) and a Babylock Evolution. I also have an older Brother embroidery only machine that needs to be purged from the sew mahal--I just never use it. <br /><br />I have no real commitment to any particular brand, it has more to do with the dealerships I am near when I purchase. Now that I'm up in the hinterland in Northeastern PA, and the closest dealerships are in Ithaca & Binghamton, NY and Scranton, PA., I don't see myself getting a new machine anytime soon. <br /><br />I have discovered that it isn't worth it to buy a lower end machine, since I use them so much. I broke a lower end Babylock sewing machine 5 years ago and was never very happy with it originally (it made a lot of noise and didn't stitch that well). <br />Coastal Conniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04663433288775281968noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-11048238235727721482019-09-08T21:17:58.641-04:002019-09-08T21:17:58.641-04:00JosephineSews - thanks for the update! While I lov...JosephineSews - thanks for the update! While I love the space the M7 has, the design does nothing for me...so I've still got my heart set on an 9450.Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02204627216540667980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-81506639812208266332019-09-08T21:13:45.121-04:002019-09-08T21:13:45.121-04:00Karen - that's my plan cause I'm the Queen...Karen - that's my plan cause I'm the Queen of the carryon. And to ship some from London if I need to...but thanks for confirming that I'm on the right track! Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic)https://www.blogger.com/profile/02204627216540667980noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-37291081165185668262019-09-08T20:40:32.317-04:002019-09-08T20:40:32.317-04:00I was interested in the M7 because they touted all...I was interested in the M7 because they touted all the layers of denim it would go through. I went to test it out this weekend and thought the Janome HD9 did a better job with multiple layers of denim so right now the M7 is on hold even though it is a sweet piece of machinery - I will get the Janome HD9 instead. Dealer did admit they had not had time to play with the M7 just yet and said it could have been the settings they chose. I thought about a commercial single stitch but I just don't have the space and I like moving things around too much. The great thing about the getting the HD9 is that it will save me thousands of dollars over the M7. I know eventually I will get the M7 - it just won't be now.JosesphineSewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16548190691308350440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-29232716351774238612019-09-08T17:04:26.127-04:002019-09-08T17:04:26.127-04:00I have a TOL Viking and a nice mid-line Pfaff. My ...I have a TOL Viking and a nice mid-line Pfaff. My first “real” machine (ie not big box) was a top of the line Pfaff. I love toys and the lady at the dealership told my husband it was my “bass boat”. Lol. About 23 years later I treated myself to a new high end Viking. I went with Viking because that’s what my local dealer carries and I believe in that dealer support. About 3 years later the Pfaff died (and I cried as I buried my friend of 25 years). By that time my dealer had added Pfaff to their line, so I picked up a nice middle of the road one. I’ve always loved the Pfaff integrated dual feed.<br /><br />Like you, I wouldn’t take a chance of not having a working sewing machine in the house. ��Gingerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01627112722638480662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-42714704116091831462019-09-08T15:14:00.629-04:002019-09-08T15:14:00.629-04:00Ha, ha, that's a good question. I know I defin...Ha, ha, that's a good question. I know I definitely suppress the urge to buy any machine beyond a full featured lower end machine to preserve my ability to continue to purchase fabric, and to a lesser extent, new patterns.Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09966759436392900790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-89802079371328796432019-09-08T15:02:41.820-04:002019-09-08T15:02:41.820-04:00I have three machines, 2 Janomes and a New Home. I...I have three machines, 2 Janomes and a New Home. I had a New Home for over 30 years and when it died I guess I went crazy. But I have a heavy duty, a computer stitcher and a vintage. Now all I have to do is learn to work my serger.janehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02637808893882629744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-35126253083412659772019-09-08T14:59:28.865-04:002019-09-08T14:59:28.865-04:00I had a Singer Prelude, an inexpensive machine I b...I had a Singer Prelude, an inexpensive machine I bought at Target about a dozen years ago that did everything I wanted at the time. I bought it using a gift card I received for Christmas. When I purchased a Brother 6000csi - another inexpensive machine that does everything I wanted at the time, and more - I put the little Prelude away as a backup. However, a colleague at work did me a nice favor several months ago, and I gifted the Prelude to her. She is interested in learning to sew, but has no mentors, and I didn't think she would be able to make some progress on that desire without the little push that a free, good machine would give her. She was really pleased to receive it. So now I have no backup. But I think if something went wrong with my current machine, I would probably just buy it's upgrade, and use that for the next decade. I have many accessory feet, and it still does everything I want, especially since my sister gifted me her wonderful HuskyLock 1002LCD, which I would likely only replace with a Brother 1034, which is pretty much all that I want to afford.Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09966759436392900790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-18740284106867406692019-09-08T06:44:56.873-04:002019-09-08T06:44:56.873-04:00Hi Carolyn, I just returned from a trip to Pars w...Hi Carolyn, I just returned from a trip to Pars where I did considerable fabric shopping. You will love it, but you have to plan how to bring it back because fabric is very heavy and you will be overweight before you know it. I took an extra suitcase that was essentially emply on the way over and full of fabric on trhe way back. Worked great!Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04314401309273836950noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-9466139879307530142019-09-07T23:44:00.068-04:002019-09-07T23:44:00.068-04:00I have 3 backups. Seriously. One is the fairly e...I have 3 backups. Seriously. One is the fairly expensive Singer I bought in 1998. Another is a $75 Singer that I bought while the 1998 Singer was being serviced at one point. One is an old Janome that I bought because I found it for $50 and couldn't leave it feeling lonely for $50. And when I thought my 1998 singer had actually died on me in 2012, I bought my Janome that I haul around to Sew Camp; Jan at the White Sewing Center in Scranton told me that was TOL at that time. Plus, I have 2 sergers because you know I hate to rethread those puppies. Oh! I almost forgot about my 1979 Brother which is upstairs in my bedroom. It was my first sewing machine (I'd used my grandmother's and mother's prior to that), and it was the first present my husband ever bought me (we had been dating 3 weeks; I told you it was love at first sight, right?). Congrats to the new addition to the Cave.Marjiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14950085029835332900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-76083037497497424232019-09-07T23:05:05.371-04:002019-09-07T23:05:05.371-04:00Oh yes. Having a back up machine is essential. I d...Oh yes. Having a back up machine is essential. I do alterations from my home. Usually when I upgrade my old machine becomes the back up.Ceesewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09837470851746981723noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-61559837763192594812019-09-07T19:00:28.157-04:002019-09-07T19:00:28.157-04:001.Do you have a back up machine? Yep. Several, in ...1.Do you have a back up machine? Yep. Several, in fact. <br />2.Is it of the same quality as your main sewing machine? Yes and no. My main machine is a thirty year old Brother. I have a used Bernina (among others) that has way more bells and whistles.<br />3.Or is it lower in the series? I have at least two that are lower priced models, including a Brother that really belongs to my youngest.<br />4.Is it even in the same sewing machine family? Some yes, some no.<br /><br />I would add that if I were to purchase a brand new sewing machine, I'd get an industrial. They're far less expensive than the TOLs in every brand, and built to withstand a lot of use.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11437656183952670450noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-59611508535243828652019-09-07T18:59:43.178-04:002019-09-07T18:59:43.178-04:00Caroline, she's purty! I just bought the new ...Caroline, she's purty! I just bought the new Brother Stellaire a week ago cause I love embroidery and it has a bigger hoop. That moved my Brother 4000D to backup position. But I sew on a Bernina 530. Then there is an Babylock serger and coverstitch. Ultimare backup is a Singer Featherweight. I don't actually like that machine much, but I will certainly user her if needed.Sewing Geekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02873831807099877860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20705637.post-28969549475373450562019-09-07T17:22:47.931-04:002019-09-07T17:22:47.931-04:00I am enjoying the different machine stories here! ...I am enjoying the different machine stories here! In shopping for a machine for a pal, I ended up buying a second Bernina Activa, in the same run as my first, from the same year. Mostly because it does a stretch stitch and most importantly, it uses the same feet and I have so much money tied up in those suckers. The original back up was my 3/4 Kenmore 140, which still travels with me when necessary. There might be a junk Bernina London in there, but it's destined for the pal's house. SJ Kurtzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04871599515352715171noreply@blogger.com