Great article. I wish I could print it out and hand it to each wannabe sewist who
buys the cheap entry model at the big box stores. Seriously it’s like going to learn to drive in a kids plastic toy car, you will never get the full joy of creating, rather, you will be fighting with the machine. Then you’ll put it away and move onto another hobby.
Great article. It reminded me why I took my 1974 Kenmore all metal sewing machine in for a tune up. I'm keeping my fingers crossed it will never need parts because I doubt they are still available. I also have a Bernina/Chandler 217 industrial that I have had for 46 years. It will never be sold until the day I die. Even then, I might take it with me.
Another fantastic article! I so enjoy reading your views. Solid no-nonsense advice. Please may I share some of your blogs? I too am disappointed, disgusted even, that trashy plastic toys score highly in reviews. But these are probably reviews by beginners or at least non-experts so they don’t actually realise the stitch quality is poor. If it’s your 1st machine and you’re just learning, then of course you’re excited and think your machine is the bees knees. Unless you’ve experience of a wide range of machines, you’re not in a position to judge.
QUESTION---I have a Bernina 1530 I purchased in 1992. Never needed major repairs. The roller ball is now slipping and will not move at times. Can this be repaired?
Hi Carroll. That’s a tough one because the machine has reached an age where it’s both difficult to find someone who knows how to perform such a repair, plus it’s difficult to source parts for that machine. My uncle used to fix the roller ball by soaking it in alcohol and reinstalling, but he has now retired and it’s not something we work on anymore. You’d have to ask your local technician to see if it’s something that they can do
Great article. Wish more sewists would get on board with this. It takes the joy out of creating when the machine does not produce good results.
Great article. I still use my mom’s 58 Singer… it sits beside my 2022 Brother. I end up using both often.
Great article. I wish I could print it out and hand it to each wannabe sewist who
buys the cheap entry model at the big box stores. Seriously it’s like going to learn to drive in a kids plastic toy car, you will never get the full joy of creating, rather, you will be fighting with the machine. Then you’ll put it away and move onto another hobby.
Great article. It reminded me why I took my 1974 Kenmore all metal sewing machine in for a tune up. I'm keeping my fingers crossed it will never need parts because I doubt they are still available. I also have a Bernina/Chandler 217 industrial that I have had for 46 years. It will never be sold until the day I die. Even then, I might take it with me.
Thank you for the clear images. I recommend this site to my students as a reference for future purchases. 👌🏻
Another fantastic article! I so enjoy reading your views. Solid no-nonsense advice. Please may I share some of your blogs? I too am disappointed, disgusted even, that trashy plastic toys score highly in reviews. But these are probably reviews by beginners or at least non-experts so they don’t actually realise the stitch quality is poor. If it’s your 1st machine and you’re just learning, then of course you’re excited and think your machine is the bees knees. Unless you’ve experience of a wide range of machines, you’re not in a position to judge.
Cale, are the newer versions of Bernina all metal?
Should I try to take the cover of my Janome to check? I was also thinking of upgrading, but do companies give that information?
What model of Janome do you have? Most Janome machines are built with a metal frame
It's a Sewist 525S. Thank you!
Thank you Cale for always enlightening lessons.
QUESTION---I have a Bernina 1530 I purchased in 1992. Never needed major repairs. The roller ball is now slipping and will not move at times. Can this be repaired?
Hi Carroll. That’s a tough one because the machine has reached an age where it’s both difficult to find someone who knows how to perform such a repair, plus it’s difficult to source parts for that machine. My uncle used to fix the roller ball by soaking it in alcohol and reinstalling, but he has now retired and it’s not something we work on anymore. You’d have to ask your local technician to see if it’s something that they can do
Is it possible to retrofit plastic gears with steel ones, (As in a upgrade kit) or can you even buy steel gears today for a sewing machine?