My main sewing/embroidery machine may be dying or dead. I took it in Monday and now it's the waiting game. I'd noticed for the past week or so that each time I started it it would go v e r y, v e r y, s l o w l y and then pick up to normal speed. The hand wheel was very hard to turn too. I dug out some thread from the take up lever which brought the hand wheel back to normal and things seemed better. I had some sweatshirts to emb. so I did a test emb. first and all was fine. I got the first shirt done w/out problem and then about 50 stitches into the second the machine just stopped. Just like that. I've learned not to tempt fate so I removed the shirt right then and took the machine in the next day.
It's a 16 y/o machine that wasn't used but a handful of times till I got it in 2004. Since then however, I'd say I've used it an average of 4-5 days per week and I've done hundreds of embroideries. Lots of times I've done 20 or more shirts at a time for the fire dept., etc. In other words, the machine has worked very, very hard for the last 7 years.
I wouldn't mind an upgrade but this Viking #1+ has such a fabulous reputation as a workhorse that the following models just don't have. I guess the biggest concern is the very expensive embroidery software I've got for it. I don't want to have to give that up after all the time I've put into learning it. The machine was originally about $5,000.00. I got it from an acquaintance for $500.00 because she got it for free and didn't want it. I can get a whole $400.00 or so for it (in working order) now. Doesn't that just absolutely stink?! The motherboard is only going to last so long as well.
So, we'll see what's up hopefully soon. In the meantime there's a Sewing Expo next week on the 12th-14th that I'll be going to. Maybe I can gather some knowledge about options. I'm using my 401A (1958) Singer now and it's running smooth as silk.