My sewing machine is very sick! It doesn't go in reverse. And my budget doesn't allow for the replacement I really wanted – The Bernina Aurora 430. Since this is a sewing emergency, I'm considering the Activa 240 and hoping the dealer offers an upgrade trade-in (I'm sure they do) so I can get the Aurora in a few months when I can better afford it. I went through this sewing machine agony a few months ago, but I had big car-related expenses and couldn't get the machine at the time. Maybe I could sew without a reverse gear for a while. I'm confused because I really am not ready to deal with this right now. It's almost Christmas, for goodness sake! I need a few days to cogitate (I love that word) and determine what to do. Right now, I'm too flustered to make a good decision.
Oh that stinks! Well, you can sew without reverse. My grandmother's treadle sewing machine doesn't have reverse and she sewed her whole life on it and made many, many things. I sewed on it too and made costumes when I was a teenager. When I wanted to reverse, I spun the garment around, if I could. But really, just leave a thread tail and tie it closed. I'd love for you to have the sewing machine you really want and think you should wait. Save your money, do your research, test out machines and don't buy in haste.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you!
Oh no!
ReplyDeleteIf you are needing reverse mainly to secure the beginning and end of the seam, I've read that another way to do this is to use a very short stitch length for the fist stitches, switch to the normal stitch length, then end with the very short stitch length again. I do this sometimes and it works fine. Maybe that could get you through for a while.
Yikes! That's got to be so frustrating. I agree with the Lori and Christina, you can do without it for a little bit, but you know that a new machine would really be a treat!
ReplyDeleteOh no! I agree with the others: if the machine is otherwise okay, go for awhile, tying off ends (I do this a lot as first choice, actually; I don't like to backstitch, do tiny stitches, or use the fix stitch on my machine), then get the machine you most want (and only buy once).
ReplyDeleteI really feel for you! But, since every cloud has a silver lining.... this is going to turn into a good thing! Yes, take a few days to cogitate (I'll be using that word a lot now, thanks). I would absolutely go for the lower end machine if the trade up will be worth it, and I knew I could save for the rest in the time alloted.
ReplyDeleteThis will result in stash reduction as well, which is never bad!
I agree with the others. You can get away without the reverse, especially by shortening the stitch length at the beginning and end.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what your budget is, but you might want to consider buying a back up machine that you can use now. I bought the lowest end Kenmore for my DD. It cost less than $100. It is a mechanical machine and doesn't have the speed of my machine. But it does an excellent straight stitch. When my sewing machine died recently I was able to use that and keep on going. It really helped prevent sewing withdrawal or missing any important self-imposed deadlines. I feel your pain. But this just goes to prove that we cannot live our lives with just one sewing machine, right? ;)
I can understand how you feel, and what others have written are right. It's good to ponder over your thoughts to come up with the best solution that works for you. You can not think right now, and wait until after the holidays. It probably will be less stressful for you and clarity wil find its way.
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ReplyDeleteWow... although I'm really enjoying my new-to-me Baby Lock, I think I might have been happier buying a Bernina, even though it would have been a lower end model. What are you using now? I know you'll be happy whichever one you get. On my old machine I rarely used the backstitch. I always just dropped the feed dog and made a few "stationary" stitches at the beginning and end of seams (I'm too lazy to tie them off)
ReplyDeleteOh, mine did that once. Lots of tying off of thread tails for a few days....then I paid about $200 to get it fixed. Good luck!
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