I was just in JoAnn's yesterday-haven't been in there in ages. I stopped in the Viking gallery because I was looking for something new & excitng in Embroidery software and saw that they have all kinds of new & different models of machines-not being in the market for a new one hadn't paid attention before, but did note that they are having a sale so it might be a good time to get a new machine...they do have lower end models not all the Viking machines are pricey!

Good luck and I hope you find something.

Pat

I haven't sewn on a Singer in years however, I have heard they are not the quality machine they were in the past

I have had the Viking Scandinavia 200 for about 18 months and love it.

That said, if I had researched more I would 'proabably' have spent more on a serger and probably a little less on the sewing machine.

There is currently (on the quilting forum) someone asking about which machine to buy and in one of the posts, someone has posted the link to a comparision of sewing machines - you might want to check out that comparision.

Carolyn

The singers made after the mid 80's aren't like the old work horses. You might even consider getting your's fixed to have as a back up machine. Nothing does a pretty straight/top stitch like those old singers.
Susan
Owner of 1951, 1964, & 2, 1970 singers and a Brother ULT 2001 embroidery machine.

I wouldn't get rid of my old Singer if I were you. The older models are the best. I have heard that the newer ones are not very good. A sewing machine is such a personal thing. Much depends on what you want to use it for. Make sure you try it out before you buy it and ask if they have free lessons. Colleen

There is a learning curve on the new electronics especially if they have machine embroidery and their added expense for needles, stabilizers, hoops and machine embroidery thread...not cheap by any means.

You may also want to look into the Kenmore line of machines that are made by Janome. I haven't had a problem with a Kenmore yet in 40 plus years of sewing.

I would continue to look on line at all the manufacturer sites for the machines you like and continue to investigate machine embroidery. Once you have your machines chosen, try them out to see which one you like best (most manufacturers will have a dealer locator to tell you which dealer is the closest to you. Keep in mind that what you pay for is what you get and don't let the dealers steer you towards their most expensive machines. Joanns tends to run high on price for sewing machines.

The one thing about Husqvarna is that everything is proprietarily expensive and no other feet or software will run their machine embroidery or sew on their machines.

In the meantime, I would take your non-functioning machine apart to thoroughly clean and oil it.

Be sure to check out the Bernina Activa (I have a 140, the product line before the 200 series) as a back up to my Artista 200 embroidery machine. Nice little machine, Swiss made, lots of nice features. Nothing sews like a Bernina...nothing!

Here is a link that might be useful: BerninaUSA website

My 1975 Singer Fashion Mate 360 up and died the other day too. I was so upset. Sounds like much the same as yours everything works but the bottom belt and bobbin. Of all the metal parts, it has one plastic gear that disentgrated and that works the works for the bobbin. I was debating on getting it fixed or getting a new one. I used to sew a lot and now its down to hemming and patching and darning. Although I'd like to one day quilt. I too was looking at that same singer model but ended up with a 7436 (more features, same price and just as simple to use). I think they sell these at Walmart. So far I like it, very easy to use. I'm 50, I don't do technical, I don't learn technical, but this is easy. One problem with new machines is they don't fit into the old cabinets because of the free arm (which already I can see is a nice feature after years of struggling with cuffs, sleeves and small spaces) and I'm not sure I like the machine up so high and not have the flat surface the cabinet provided but this model came with a larger surface table that attaches onto the machine which is nice and it has a lot of features I probably not use. There is automatic tension adjustment and I hated for years fighting with that to get the top and bottom stitch to co-ordinate, it adjusts itself, there is a wheel to adjust if you don't like the auto adjustment. And you can see the bobbin is gettting out of thread, that's nice. And no cams for the designer stitches, just press a button. BUT I bought mine at a dealer (all kinds of machines, some very expensive!) and she said the Singers are shipped with a thick oil and I should use the machine a couple weeks to break it in and bring it back in & at no charge they'll put a better silicon oil in there which will improve the performance and it will run quieter. So if you order one on-line or buy at Walmart who is gonna do that? So it seems to me you should do the traveling to a place that actually sells machines where you can sit down and try out the machines and find out these little things. It cost a little more than ordering on-line but unless you get a hundred dollar machine, it is an investment and you are going to want to be satisified when you patch and darn.

I own and older Viking (1994?) 405 that just does 4 stiches and a new Janome 6500 that does a whole lot more. My experience with the Viking is that even the most simple model is on the persnikity side. I also had to by all the special attachments, bobbins and feet separately that got very expensive and they are particular to that model. It needed to be tuned often so I'd go months with out using it and then need it tuned again or it'd eat the bobbin thread. My local sewing store doesn't even sell them because they take too much effort for people to keep up. The Janome is a stellar machine and my mother in law uses her's like the work horse that it is every day and she loves her's. The suggestion to go with the Kenmore's that are made by Janome was a very good suggestion (especially if there's a Sears near you where you can see one in person). You can also get them at a very reasonable price off of ebay. There are a few stores on there that offer free shipping on them too. The Janome Jems are a nice basic machine that we use when traveling to a quilting weekend.

I agree with all the good things everyone's said about Sears machines. I think they are great. If you want a top
machine and can spend a little more money, get a Bernina! I've sewn on many machines over alot of years and that is my favorite. They are a really quiet, smooth running machine and worth the extra money if you are really serious about sewing.

For Christmas last year, my daughter's family gave me a Sears machine. ( They are Janome's. ) It has all the new features I wanted on a machine including up needle and down needle. You can run it with a button on the machine instead of a foot peddle if you want to.

The best thing is that you can purchase a three year unlimited warrantee on it. Which I did. If it goes out of adjustment you just give it back to them to fix and clean.

My good machine is an old Elna su and I love it. But to have it cleaned and adjusted was $79.00. I figure if I have the Sears cleaned three times I will be way ahead of the game.