Flying_V_Goddess

Okay, I've mentioned that the foot pedal of my sewing machine is broke (which totally sucks with Halloween around the corner). But a replacement for it costs...well, a lot of money (I think $80+). In fact, the cheapest sewing machine sold at Wal-Mart is cheaper than the pedal.

Should I buy a new pedal (on the internet, which presents some problems regarding paying for it) or buy a new sewing machine (which might present its own problems with it being one I've never tried before)?

GMA

if u like your machine buy the pedal who knows what you will end up with a new machine.

b.zang

If you really like what you already have, spend the money to fix/refurbish it. If you are ready to get rid of what you have, be prepared to spend enough money to replace it with what you want.

Flying_V_Goddess

I like what I have yet I'm not so incredibly attached it that I would cry if I had to get rid of it. My machine and the one I saw at Wal-Mart look similar---they're very basic in features and have a bobbin that doesn't go through the sides (God, I HATE the ones with the side-set bobbins). But I can't get a feel for it unless I actually sew with it, which I can't do until I buy it. So that kind of makes it hard deciding whether I should replace "Stitchy" (yeah, I named my sewing machine Stitchy). 'Cause who wants to put down like $70 and find they don't like the machine?

Moonpi

If you have sewing machine repair shops near you, go try out their trade-ins. Sometimes there are some good values to be had. I burn up a cheap machine in a couple years, so keep in mind you may have to trade up sooner than the old metal machines that lasted forever.

Flying_V_Goddess

I'm not sure if there is a sewing machine repair shop within a decent distance.

Barb M

I would look at freecycle and at the thrift stores for another foot pedal...for that matter, you can usually get a sewing machine at a thrift store for 10 or 15 dollars, if you like the used machine you find, then use it, and if you dont like the machine, use the foot pedal from it on your old machine.

gcathie

Gee my Mom has bought about 7 sewing machines at second hand stores (Goodwill, Pawn Shop, Salvation Army....etc....you get the piture)....stand and all range in price for 5.95 to 50.00.....keep looking check out the Yard Sales....Estate sales.....I don't think I would put 70 in a pedal...unless you loved your machine....I bought a computer one from Allbrands.com.....LOVE it....500.00 machine I got for 200.oo....been reconditioned....but LOVE it....now I might put that 70 in it...Good luck...

pocoellie

I wouldn't pay $70 for a foot pedal, unless it was a special machine to me. Also wouldn't buy a cheapie machine, they just don't last. But like gcathie suggests yard sales, thrift stores, etc., I've bought 4 or 5 at auctions, just bought my gd an older Kenmore at the Humane Society thrift store for $10. Works just fine.

Janeen

I got a Singer 401 slant needle machine in CABINET for $25 at the Goodwill - this is the machine that has a gazillion built in stitches and no electronics to go bad!

Now when we lived up north in Indiana I had no luck at all finding decent used machines anyplace - thrift shops, garage sales etc, but since we've moved down here I've managed to find quite a few.

If you do decide to got that route, look for the older Singers because those machines were built with metal gears and made to last....

for straight stitch machines the 301 can't be beat - the feed dogs drop and they are FABULOUS for stippling.... If you find one of those for less than $200 grab it and run but don't celebrate until you are far away from the place that sold it :mrgreen:

Another good straight stitch machine is the smaller 185 but be prepared for a machine that weighs a TON... you'd never think that tiny machine weighed so much.

If your machine with the bad pedal is a really good machine ($$$$) and worth the money invested to replace the pedal - go for it. If the machine was less than $200, or especially if it was a $100 machine from Walmart, don't bother... just put it back in the closet and think about it another day :roll:

Sometimes getting a $75 machine to use WHILE YOU WAIT FOR BETTER $$ times is a good move. It gives you something to use while you wait and you don't feel so frustrated wanting to sew. Yes, it will have to be replaced sooner than later but you also know that you actually got some sewing done in the meantime.

You can also check out sewing machine dealers and look at their used machines but be very careful there - sometimes they want practically what the machine cost new and lots of the 'newer' machines have plastic gears that crumble.

Electronic machines are nice because of all the things they do but what all do you need to quilt?? a straight stitch! if you are into garment construction a zigzag may come in handy...

I have embroidery machines but for all my quilting I use my 301 from the 50s