Thanks, Kathi! I have a Bernina artista 200 for machine embroidery and regular sewing and a Bernina activa 145 for a backup (non-embroidering). Would like the newer 730, but I'm not working at present, and they are rather spendy! Well, a gal can always dream, huh? Mary

Buy the Bernina. That 130 is a great 3/4 size machine, that will outlast the Janome. That said, and I own 3 Bernina's including a 145 which is the same machine as the 130 with an extra feature (the knee lift), ... I bought the Janome Magnolia for my daughter in law who needed a sewing machine but doesn't do much sewing, as the price was a deciding factor. It was more than $500 less than the Bernina. The Magnolia is a good machine, but if you have access to a reasonably priced Bernina 130 I'd jump at it.

Hi Dawn. In both cases it was the computerboard, so neither can be repaired. My machine started refusing to sew forward, only backwards. After the repairman said it could not be fixed, I started fooling around with it. Now it only zigzags backwards in the widest width! My mom's machine just won't sew at all. The machine runs but nothing happens, like gunning the engine on a car when it's in neutral. The repairman examined both machines, said they both have the same computer problem so he can't rob one to repair the other. I still have both, just sitting there, gathering dust in a closet. I replaced them with a Singer Q series. For ease of use, it is nowhere near the machine the old ones were, but I can't afford a high end machine. My new machine sews well so far, and I still do a lot of sewing, so I guess I am satisfied with it. The repairman also sharpens scissors. He recently told me to "embrace your new machine. You are never going to find what you had unless you spend several thousand dollars, and maybe not even then. These Touch tronics were the best machines I ever worked on, and they lasted forever." So I am embracing! What is your machine doing...or NOT doing? I hope it is a simple problem. I will have to take a look at what is going on over at ebay.

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.