Yesterday I lost my last working sewing machine. Oh my. My 1530 has a fried mother board or something else equally bad. I think it is a doorstop but the repairman will have the last word on that. it died before I left for France and I chose to put off the inevitable until later.
Later happened. My 1130, Linda's old machine, started making really bad noises yesterday. Bad enough that I had to stop sewing. Oh my again. I didn't have a machine to piece on and I really needed one. Today I packed them both into the car (well, Steve did that part) and I drove them south to Plano to the Bernina shop. After doing the repair paperwork, I started the hunt for a new machine. I looked at Berninas in Plano, then I looked at a couple of Pfaffs farther south in Richardson, and then I went to the Bernina store in Dallas where I finally settled on this baby:
I found out that the activa 220 is on its way out. It doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles but it is a good, solid machine that didn't cost a fortune. I need a reliable machine to piece on – no embroidery or fancy stuff. I have the Sweet Sixteen for machine quilting. I think this is going to be the perfect machine for me and I'm happy to have found it.
However, this experience made me realize that this is how I end up with most of my major purchases. Cars, washers, dryers, sewing machines, computers… I wait until what I have fails and then I have to buy one. Usually right then. Forget that slow shopping around – I buy the best thing I can find that fits the bill right then. I should change. I know other people who shop around for these sorts of high dollar items. I know that I should do the same. But you know what? At 55 I also know that this is who I am. So today, when I needed a sewing machine, I found one!
Piece O Cake Blog 
If you had waited, that ‘outgoing’ machine would have been gone and you would been faced with buying a bell-whistler-veg-a-matic-all-in-one. So this is a better way. I have tried to do the research before buying, but then I spend way more than necessary. Pooh on that.
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I have this theory that ost major decisions in life are made pretty much this way — and most work out just fine! Glad to see that someone else lives the same life I do!
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I’m with ya!..I always think I’ll be better about it but somehow its to easy but off those purchases til later and then later is today!
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I love my Bernina Activa, which is what I bought to take to classes. I am very sorry I bought the big Bernina Artista with the bells and whistles along with with the high cost of every attachment you need plus the mother boards have been replaced 3 times – two under warranty thank heavens. The older I get the more simplicity I want in my life and the Activa is wonderful. Judy C
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I’m with you on the other appliances! I had a really old Kenmore (made by Singer) (bought by my grandma about 1970) and used that but wanted something for classes. So at my age 50 – 12 years ago – the kids bought a Kenmore (made by Janome) with only straight stitch and zig zag – and that’s my class machine still.
A few years ago I wanted a good machine. I did some looking around – and was just about sold on the Janome 6600 (highest model at that time) when I went to a quilt show. They had the machine for $700 off the regular price. You bet I made the on the spot decision to bring “Jasmine” home with me. Haven’t regretted it since.
I’ll bet this machine does a great job for you! I’m just not normally a shopper. I find what I want and pick it up. Who has time to go store to store? If you’re working – there aren’t enough hours in the day!
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Congrats on your new baby! I believe in the “if it ain’t broke” theory of buying things. I am still happy to be sewing and quilting on my Bernina 1090 and know I will be really sorry when the day comes that it has to be replaced. In the meantime….happy stitching!
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Most of us, including me, over buy. A good solid basic machine is all most of us need. Just wondering, can’t the repairman put a new “board” in your older machine? My 180 needed a part that cost about $300. To me, the $300 was better than a whole new machine.
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Ive replaced the motherboard on that machine before, plus other expensive items. It was a good machine but they are saying that it could be $300-$500 to fix it. Its just not worth it. I do hope the 1130 is going to be less to fix and I expect it to last longer. I hope Ive right.
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I love keeping machines very simple. My Bernina 430 is perfect for me. I have a longarm for the quilting, like you. Beware of hauling machines around. They really don’t like bumpy car rides. For a trip, bring something without a motherboard. That’s one reason Featherweights are popular. Congratulations!
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I see nothing wrong with the way you shop. I do the same thing!! Why look for a new washer if the old one is working? As they say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”.
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I have that machine and I think it is awesome. Even better I won it. I saw you and your booth at market it was fun to see you and feel like I knew you from your blog. great booth by the way.
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Nice, and thanks for sharing this info with us.Good Luck!
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I have a 240 that I’ve had for about six years. I love it!
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