Great explanation of how stepper motors create the capabilities of today’s multi featured machines. I love my Janome 8900QCP for many of the reasons you point out. I am also fairly certain that I’ll have my Singer 201k for far longer than my modern Janome, and that it will continue to produce beautiful straight stitches far into the future. Same for my Bernina 117k (bonus: zigzag and a few decorative stitches driven by mechanical cams). I think many people who shy away from “computerized “ machines do so for a fear of machine obsolescence, a lack of understanding what the word computerized even means in this context, and maybe a worry that they can’t do much in the way of self maintenance. Oh, and maybe concern about parts availability (see obsolescence above). Also, for some casual sewists, the benefits of step-motor enabled features maybe aren’t obvious. Keep writing!
Seems to me if you look at a digital watch, use any type of smartphone, press a button on a flat screen instead of turning a dial, or use a computer - then you are a "computer" person. Why do any of these labels need to be used? By now, the smart sewists I know can tell the difference between an electronic and non-electronic machine. I know - it's all marketing. "Computerized" implies newer, more features and pricier. Doesn't do much more on its own because a human is still involved in operating the machine. Thirty-five years ago the head of Bernina asked me, at a conference, what feature I would like in a machine. I said "a clock". And his reply was a typical, sexist, answer - "oh, most women don't want to know how much time they spend at the machine". Wasn't he adorable? Couldn't figure out that we might just want to know the time - or how long we had before we had to meet the school bus. Still waiting for that clock - which would be the ultimate addition in computerizing a sewing machine.
Thank you! Now I understand why the technician said that the motor controlling the needle moment in my 1991 Husqvarna #1 has failed. Next step is to find a replacement.
Thank you, Cale. I enjoy using my Singer 201K and Bernina 1030, but I have the most fun with my computerised machines.
Thank you, Cale. Every time you write an article, I learn more about our sewing machines!
Great explanation of how stepper motors create the capabilities of today’s multi featured machines. I love my Janome 8900QCP for many of the reasons you point out. I am also fairly certain that I’ll have my Singer 201k for far longer than my modern Janome, and that it will continue to produce beautiful straight stitches far into the future. Same for my Bernina 117k (bonus: zigzag and a few decorative stitches driven by mechanical cams). I think many people who shy away from “computerized “ machines do so for a fear of machine obsolescence, a lack of understanding what the word computerized even means in this context, and maybe a worry that they can’t do much in the way of self maintenance. Oh, and maybe concern about parts availability (see obsolescence above). Also, for some casual sewists, the benefits of step-motor enabled features maybe aren’t obvious. Keep writing!
Seems to me if you look at a digital watch, use any type of smartphone, press a button on a flat screen instead of turning a dial, or use a computer - then you are a "computer" person. Why do any of these labels need to be used? By now, the smart sewists I know can tell the difference between an electronic and non-electronic machine. I know - it's all marketing. "Computerized" implies newer, more features and pricier. Doesn't do much more on its own because a human is still involved in operating the machine. Thirty-five years ago the head of Bernina asked me, at a conference, what feature I would like in a machine. I said "a clock". And his reply was a typical, sexist, answer - "oh, most women don't want to know how much time they spend at the machine". Wasn't he adorable? Couldn't figure out that we might just want to know the time - or how long we had before we had to meet the school bus. Still waiting for that clock - which would be the ultimate addition in computerizing a sewing machine.
Thank you! Now I understand why the technician said that the motor controlling the needle moment in my 1991 Husqvarna #1 has failed. Next step is to find a replacement.