by Stina
(San Diego, CA, The States)
I’ve had my machine since ’97. I bought it from a catalog and it arrived by UPS. It came with sheers – which are still sharp, various attachments and that marvelous hard carry case.
I’ve been able to sew denim, leather, silk, stretch jersey and many kinds of woven fabrics. I’ve worked on projects for a college level garment construction course and personal projects that usually filled eight to 10 hours each day for two and three days and that was never a problem.
I was not the most diligent with yearly tune-ups but I was able to get it to the repair probably once every two years. This last time – after moving and lots of bumping around the timing was wildly off and the foot has seized in one place – not up not down.
I took it in to a local repairman who has been in business since the early 80s and who one of my aunts takes her machines to for repairs…..he said it’s at a point where it’s too expensive to repair and won’t ever have the same power it once had.
My machine and just knowing it’s there for me has been my everything so now how to get through this economic slump without it? It’s going to be hard but I do believe I will have to put it in the garbage for disposal.
All of that said, it was a great machine. It was reliable. It allowed me to produce some really great pieces and work with materials up to a mid-weight denim.