Sew?

(Image found via flickr)

I'm having a little dilemma... My sewing machine is not well. At all. It's a 1988 Singer (a special Bicentennial Edition - even has a green and gold Australia on it!) that was given to me by a friends mum a few years ago. I don't really know what's wrong with it but you have to keep revving the pedal to get anywhere and I'm sure that's not right. Especially considering I didn't used to have to rev it to get any speed...

The problem is this - do I get it fixed or do I hold out for a bit and buy a new one?

I have called two (of the three) repair places listed in the yellow pages. The first lady was a bit rude and basically said "get it to me by 10 am tomorrow and we'll have it back to you in a week. that will be $95 for the servicing." And hung up! I wanted to have a conversation about it first. Will the repairs be more? Will they be expensive? Will they worth it?

The second guy was much nicer and offered to look it over for me before doing anything to it to help me decide. I told him what was wrong and his comment was "oh dear, that's not good at all." Yikes!

Why, why, why didn't I get it sorted out before I had a major urge and a huge list of things I want to use it for???

Helpful advice appreciated. Unhelpful advice (Adam!) ignored. Gifts of new sewing machines gratefully accepted.