'Sparklingmerlot' left a very good comment last night, it echoed what I was already thinking.
I have an amazing recipe for a slow cook using that relish. It is a go to winter favourite.
If you can afford it, I would buy the new machine - you use it enough to justify it. If McDreamy gets fixed you can keep him as your back up and ditch baby brother. You sew at an almost commercial volume so it's not surprising your machines have a shorter lifespan.
I have been researching sewing machines, their life spans, problems they can have, if they are fixable or terminal etc etc.
I've also researched what machine is the equivalent to Mc Dreamy, bearing in mind he's no longer available.
The new version of my Brother Dreamweaver is the Brother BS3100.
I have found it in three shops here in New Zealand so far:
ABOVE: As you can see, there is quite a difference in prices, depending where you go. My only concern about the cheapest place is that company is based in Australia, with a 'dealer' in Auckland. I wonder about back up, warranties, repairs etc?
If Sewing Machine World matches the cheaper price, I'd get it from there, but somehow I doubt they will... as it's a very large difference in price.
I'm going to ring the cheapest place today and find out about all that stuff.
IF it sounds OK, I can see a trip up to Auckland happening very soon. I will also talk to Neil at Sewing Machine World, and ask him what his 'best price' is for the BQ3100.
I'm off to Cambridge this morning, I have a project on the go at Mosaics that I want to finish.
ONWARD...
12.25 pm. Home from Cambridge.
I decided last night to have a go at making my own Caramelised Onion Relish.
I often crash after lunch, feel super tired and sleepy. I know that's not uncommon, and not even related to age. It's just one of those things.
NOT the best afternoon. I am constipated, even though I have 'been' very recently. And I'm eating more fruit than EVER.... this afternoon was a nightmare. BLOOD... so much blood. Scary even. And pain... yes, probably NOT as much as other people, sorry other people.
But I'm actually over it now... I feel terrible. I am off to see my Dr tomorrow, if I can get in. I can't live on laxatives for the rest of my life surely? They make me feel ikkk.
Stew just got home, he's off to the pub. I'll pick him up later on this evening. I'm staying home and not moving. Moving hurts. Well... sitting on me butt hurts too... 😖😕😫 .
7.30 pm, and I'm about to head up to the pub to spend half an hour with Stew and our friends. Then home to take some pain killers and then... bed early. I'm wrung out.
I bought my Brother Dream machine from Echidna, and have found them really good, but i am in Aus.. Are you loyal to Brother? The Janome Continental M7 looks good. I have a 30 year old Janome My Excel 18 W ( never serviced😳) and it never misses a beat. I’m thinking of getting rid of my Brother - too many annoying glitches- and maybe getting a Juki…. So many to pick from! X
ReplyDeleteI hope you can get a fair deal on a machine at a place close and convenient to you . What a drag. I certainly think the repair person should be able to fix the machine, and if not - He better not charge you for a job he can't even do, and possibly even making it worse!
ReplyDeleteMaybe they can meet you halfway. Just looked it up in Canada and it is 5508.00 in New Zealand dollars. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteBreaking down the math say middle of the rd $5600 10-13 yrs 450-560 a year 8-10 bucks a week, now 2 machines say $12,000 that’s $20-$25 a week, for your enjoyment you don’t smoke or drink and it makes you happy.
ReplyDeleteI can't remember when you bought McDreamy but lets say you had him for 10 years. If you pay, say, $6000 for a new one and it lasts 10 years it comes in at less than $2 a day. I could work out how much per sewing session but you get the idea!
ReplyDeleteAnd here is the beef recipe (I found it on facebook but can't remember where so apologies to whoever posted it originally)
French Onion Beef Stew
1 to 1.5kg stewing beef diced
2 tbs plain flour (I season mine with ground black pepper)
1 packet French onion soup mix
1 cup water
1/2 jar caramelised onion relish/chutney
1 Tbs soy sauce
2 Tbs Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbs vinegar
1 x 50gm sachet tomato paste
2-3 Carrots and 2 sticks of celery sliced - you can add potatoes but I prefer to serve it with mashed spuds.
Toss beef in seasoned flour and place in a slowcooker
Combine remaining ingredients in a jug and pour over beef.
Cook on low 5-6 hours.
Just a quick post ,neat to catch up and gotta say I just love the ceramic panel you have done
ReplyDelete💯🥝❤️🏉.Super cute.
Cheers 🥂
You poor thing Chris 🫢 bugger and you’ve been doing what you can not to get constipated 🤦♀️. Hope you can get in to see your doctor so you can get some relief. Good luck
ReplyDeleteOmg you poor thing. That definitely doesn't sound any kinda normal so yeah, docs should be made aware. Good luck 🥰
ReplyDeleteYour mosaic is fabvulous!!! You clever kiwi girl.l As usual, for your safety lol spit spit spit
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recipe Sparkling M.
And Chris, wishing you the best result for your Docs visit!
Hi Chris Jennie Anderson from Palmy here, (Karen in Wellington’s friend). Just a comment on a new machine. DIrect Sewing in Auckland have the Brother model you are looking at for $5499, the same as the Chchch shop. However at the top of the website they advertise they will match prices. They would also be a lot closer for servicing etc. I got a Juki from them a couple of years ago, not a digital thing in site, just a fast straight sewer that also has a walking foot etc. (No good for your zigzag). But have had good communications with them etc. all the best with whatever you choose.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that Jennie, I will certainly check them out.
DeleteDid you use all the fancy bits in McDreamy? Sometimes you can save a lot by getting less fant stitches etc. Ive found Fibre One Muesli bars with popcorn and had a wonderful week !!! I get mine at Woolworths. Hope they work for you. Kj
ReplyDeleteI only need three stitches for almost everything I do, but to get the wide throat (measurement from needle to right hand side of machine) ie the working space... most of those machines have all of the extra features.
DeleteMy local shop (5 minutes away from my house) services all makes and models of machines regardless of where you bought them or their age. So does the next closest shop which is one hour away. Your shops only service what has been purchased from them?
ReplyDeleteMost of the people here use Janomes. I think you need to look at more than one brand of machine. And you need an industrial level machine.
Vickie
When was the last time you had a colonoscopy? I think the guideline is every 5 years.
ReplyDeleteVickie
My GI doctor told me to use Restoralax or Metamusil only as anything else makes you dependant. I just saw him this week and might be able to get my car out of the snow today to go get it. I have been eating stewed prunes and they help a bit. Good luck and tell the doctor about your use of pain medication as that could be a problem. Gigi
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness - I know you don't want to even think about it, but it sounds like now you might have hemorrhoids - going to see doctor probably good thing as you don't want it to get even worse. Hope you can get the machine you need too !! Dawn P. Albany, GA USA
ReplyDeleteThe bird panel is stunning! Please do not delay going to the doctor. Blood in your stool is serious.
ReplyDelete