Frustration!

Hello Reader,

I sew a lot, sometimes every day. It's never a good time for equipment failure. I love my sewing machine, a Bernina 165 that was purchased in 2006 (manufactured in 2004). Over the last month or two, the reverse/back-stitch button has been increasingly glitchy to the point that it has stopped working altogether. It works fine in every other respect, but the reverse feature is used on EVERYTHING.

So I took it to the Bernina doctor. He informed me that my machine is older and has sewn 2.6 million stitches! And guess what? The replacement part is no longer available. The repairman will try to jerry rig something, but this will not be a permanent fix. It'll probably take three weeks to get my machine back.

No problem, I pulled out my circa 1970 Viking (even though it doesn't have the extremely handy needle-down option.) I used it yesterday. Not great, but I made it work. Today, the reverse button is stuck in the back-stitch position, and nothing I do will release it. Ironic, right?

So I pulled out my basic Janome Travel Mate (I had to Google how to thread it). It has even fewer buttons and whistles than the Viking and is extremely inefficient when sewing little doll parts. I want to cry.

While I have an even older Bernina (model 1230), it is currently living at my mom's house a couple hours away. I might have to swipe it back (sorry, Mom). But ultimately, I may need to look into buying a new machine. It breaks my heart.

What machines do you use? Recommendations? I'm leaning toward another Bernina - or something that will use the same bobbins. I really don't need anything fancy, but the needle-down option is a must. Knee controlled presser foot up/down is awfully nice, too.