New sewing machine

My sewing machine broke before Christmas. I pressed the backstitch button, heard a pop and a clunk, and could only go forward after that. I managed to finish the two wall hangings I donated to a Christmas fund-raiser, but then I gave it up and put the machine in my car. I drove 80 miles over two-lane roads to the nearest Bernina dealership, Top Stitch Sewing Service near Barnett, Missouri, which is near Versailles, which is near Jefferson City. (Yes, it's rather remote. I saw a bald eagle on the way.) Although Timothy (the owner) and his staff are as nice as they can be, I am always overwhelmed when I walk in. So many sewing machines! So much thread! So many notions!

$200 later, I came out with 6 spools of thread, Diane Gaudynski's book, "Guide to Machine Quilting," and a Daylight floor lamp I've been wanting. I wandered around and LOOKED at the new machines, but why, oh why didn't I try out any of them? I knew I would be in the market for a new machine this year--it's well past time. But I just looked. Some of those machines are SO intimidating. I wasn’t really sure I wanted a computer that sews, or if I could handle one.

Back home, I put my last-minute Christmas presents on hold and actually had to vacuum my sewing room! I also put up this beautiful pegboard system behind the door to hold my rulers and various other items.

When I went back to Top Stitch to pick up my repaired machine, I was determined to be brave and try out a new “sewing computer.” Well, I bought one—a Bernina Artista 640. It happened that fast. Timothy is a good salesman—the best. “If you’re thinking about a new machine in the next year, you should buy it now, because Bernina has no-interest financing until Dec. 31….” That did it.

I said good-bye to my old Bernina 1230, which I had for 22 years. After Christmas, I sent it off to Colorado with my daughter. It has a lot of happy sewing left in it. I ordered a new table insert for my sewing cabinet, but it didn’t fit properly and will have to be sent back. I’m tired of losing pieces and pins down the empty hole. But that hasn’t dampened my enthusiasm for this new sewing machine. It has features I never knew I needed, but that I LOVE—it cuts the thread at the end of a line of sewing, and it has a self-threading feature. I just used the pre-set button sew-on program—easy as pie. I’ve read the entire manual except for the embroidery part and am ready for my weekly lessons back at Top Stitch (the lessons come with the machine).


I also bought a new pair of hiking boots, and I've been using them, too. Here I am with my daughter's pups at Mill Creek Recreation Area.

And a self-portrait at Paddy Creek Wilderness. It's a long way down to the river off that big rock in the background!