Good grief . . I wrote a whole post yesterday about this and I have no idea where it went.
I decided against getting the new sewing machine for several reasons:
(1) I have a son in college (need I say more?). I could go into my long discussion here about what's fair and what's not fair but I'll spare you. I'll just say that Chad did *nothing* in high school so he ended up with no scholarships. His dad (we're divorced) will not help pay for college so that burden falls on me. For those of you who are longarm quilters, you know that the money earned is great spending money but it doesn't go very far paying for college. I'm afraid that $1,500 or $1,600 for the machine will be money I need down the road so I'm going to save it for now.
(2) I checked on ebay and the Bernina 1230 machines are going from $800 to $1,000 which would help pay for the new machine but I'm not sure I want to part with the 1230. It's still a great machine and except for having to add the walking foot to do binding, we can still have many happy years together.
(3) I checked with the Janome dealer who does the AQS shows and his show price is several hundred dollars less than my local dealer, plus he always throws in extras. At Nashville, he was adding the three new feet and the new plate. I would prefer to support the local dealer but I asked him about the warranty if we move and he told me that parts are covered by the new dealer but I would have to pay for labor. Chances of us being here for another whole year are probably slim so I'll just wait and see what happens.
So, I'll continue sewing on the 1230 and keep my mind off the new toy.
Judy L.
Sunday, October 08, 2006
No New Sewing Machine
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©2006, 2007 Judy Laquidara
17 comments:
Tough decision but I think you made the right one. Just think, if you delay buying that new machine now, you can buy the newer version in a few years which will be even better!
Yup, I always think that if I'm not sure about a big decision like that, there must be something in my subconscience that knows better :)
Didn't realize you were looking at moving so soon. I thought you werejust looking at "someday" dream cabins.
Jeanne
ah the differences between "need and want"--the practical balanced against the desire for a new toy.
I seriously just need something that goes forward and backwards and the capabilities of buttonhole and zigzag every once in a while. The ability to change the center needle position, needle down, apply a walking foot and a big space to cram a quilt through. Mine does all that pretty well though a bigger opening would be nice.
Having said that, mine is 10 plus years old. I have to take it over an hour away for service and it is gone for 3 weeks when I do. That alone is enough for me to want to get a backup machine that can be serviced locally. BUT I can live with what I got since I am not working and get some money saved up.
I would have a really hard time parting with my 1230 too. I've had it for years and haven't really had any problems. I hear my friends, who have new machines, complaining about taking them in for service all the time. I'm not sure newer is always better.
Sounds like a good decision in the end.
As a divorced mom I can understand the college costs. DS #3, who lives with his dad, got lucky as wife #3 works at Marist College and DS got his college degree for free.
DS #2, who lived with us, is already taking out student loans as I was unable to save much money for his college.
You did make the right decision, even though it was a tough one.
I have heard only good things about Bernina so maybe you are just as well off with one that you know. When you have money ahead there will still be a great new sewing machine waiting for you.
Whew, been there, done that regarding college tuition. With "judicial pressure" my girls' father coughed up but I had the bulk of the load. (Why do they need clothes, cars, medical insurance, food???). It won't go on forever; it just seems like it.
My 1130 was pried from my fingers last spring, because I just wasn't using it as I should have (I have a 170 that I don't like as much as that 1130, but it does more tricks so it won the coin toss.) And I was able to get $1200 for it, so that soothed the pain. (It had lots of extras.) That and the fact it went to a good home. If you keep watching eBay you may find the value of your 1230 going up--it's very cyclical.
Sometimes we have to balance Need and Want, and as parents we do what we have to do to get our children through whatever it is.
It takes some backbone to make those decisions too, like you have done now.
Maybe you are even more lucky when Want can take front seat, and get an even better model :-)
I am sure you can to well with your old machine. I know exactly how it feels having children in college. They are expensive LOL. I think you did the right priority. And when you can afford a new machine it will probably be even better than this one. I was to start on you one hour a day quilt, but my shoulder and arms did not cooperate now. And too much overtime at work. But the pattern and fabric is laying in my sewingroom, ready when I am ready.
Facing reality is sometimes so hard to do - and putting dreams on hold too. Your decision was good though and you should pat yourself on the back!
Good decision, Judy. Just a few more years and you'll be able to get what you want - probably a much enhanced version of this Janome. I've devoted the next few years to retirement savings, so no quilty capital expenditures for me! We can hold hands and do this together! :)
Judy,
When your book comes out, if and when you decide to do another one, maybe you can approach a Janome dealer and tell them you'd make all the quilts for it with one of their machines and you'll give credit to Janome?
Just something to think about.
Having one kid who just graduated, and a second one who's going an extra semester, I understand completely.
EileenKNY
I want that machine too so I can't be too un-biased. I need it for the faster sitching and wider space for machine quilting since I have NO longarm. SO that why I NEED one. Ofcourse I really just want it too!
The son in college line says it all, doesn't it? I have one there too...and a daughter heading there much sooner than I want to think about. Your time for a new machine will come...things DO happen for a reason!
Hi Judy! Long time no talk to! My son is in college also, and we are also paying through the nose. We just hope he gets a good job after all this effort.
Good for you Judy! Times like this are so hard. Before you know it, however, he'll have graduated. Then you will feel rich!
Patti
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