considering giving up my zz machine
 

Help me not to be wishywashy please!

The plain fact is, sigfile aside, that I have too many sewing machines set up for use, and not enough room. I've got my 403 in a table, another table with the serger on it, my FW card table set up, and yesterday (prompting this) I made room for another table for almost-DIL's machine. The other end of the room is supposed to be The Husband's fishing stuff storage, but I admit, I'm encroaching.

I got to looking at what I use, and how, and now I'm thinking of removing the 403 from the equation. Mostly (these days) I quilt, for which I use my FW. For anything requiring more, I usually use the serger. OTOH, I'm eying a local 115, which would go in the 403's table, which wouldn't solve anything. I could get rid of the serger table, keep it in its case until I need it, then use it on top of the folded-up sm table. Or I could put my FW away and use the 403.

Gah. You see what I mean about being wishywashy? On top of this, I have two bookshelves, the cutting table, a plastic dresser full of batting and a real dresser full of fabric, with the ironing board on top. What I'd like is to find somewhere else for The Husband to keep his fishing stuff, but really, there isn't anywhere. (What he'd like is for me to stop taking over his half!)

So. I guess mostly what I'm looking for is, does anyone use only straight stitchers and miss/wish you had a zz? How many *working* machines do you have set up, ready for use, and actually use?

I have NO idea what I'm going to do, but something has to give somewhere!

I use mostly SS machines. Mostly old black cast iron ones. 'But', I wouldn't be without a ZZ machine. They are very useful tools. Especially if they also do decorative stitches. :)

I do understand how you feel about running out of room. I'm that way now. Machines everywhere, some stacked on top of others.
We rotate them as we fix, test, use them. Getting to the point we are making sure they work so we can put them C.L. Like you said, somethings gotta give.

How many do we have set up to use? A half dozen maybe. The rest can be grabbed and set up in a few minutes.
As for your husband, I do understand how he feels. My shooting area is now a sewing machine repair area. Even my gun tools and supplies have been drafted to work on sewing machines. Oh well.

Joe

I don't have just a ss machine. I have considered buying one but I have the space and use concerns, as well. I have 2 Pfaffs set up all the time and my Featherweight 75 covered to the side. I can grab the Singer and set it up quickly but think I would use it more if I had space to set it up all the time. My Pfaffs are simple machines that basically only do ss and zz but I want to make more clothes which is why I bought the featherweight last year. It is a tough call and only you can decide which machines you will use. Also, look around the house for other areas you could use for storage, like maybe a closet or guess bedroom or do like me and commandeer another unused or underused room.

Get rid of the cabinets and purchase/make a portable wood/plastic unit to put the machine in. They really aren't that big once they are out of the cabinet. Then you have the best of both worlds.

Get rid of the husband! OK, I'm just kidding.....but hopefully, I made you laugh. I'm thinking about getting rid of one of my treadles for that very reason and Hubs is having a cow over it. We are moving next Spring, and quite frankly we won't be able to downsize if we don't get rid of furniture! I will hang on to the one the Hubs got me, as there is a really sweet story with it and we have all of the info on the original owner/purchase. The "extra" treadle has to go. Right now, it is in the dining room and is used for nothing more than to display table runners....and dust! :)

The minute you get rid of your ZZ machine, you will have a need for it. Plan on that! Put it away somewhere, but don't sell it. I have 6 machines and sewing stations actually set up at the ready. And my other machines are stored in a walk in closet so I can easily get to them to switch them out or grab to go somewhere.

I would definitely keep the zz! I find too many things I need to use it for. I usually keep 6 machines set up. My 27 treadle for most anything, my serger, my Janome 10001, an old Singer 4662 on a quilting frame, my 15-91 for ruffles, tucks, etc., and my featherweight for quilt piecing. I also keep a Singer 66 threaded with dark thread, just in case anything dark needs sewing, lol!

I keep my 201-2 set up for straight stitching, and either my 401a if I want to zz, or the 15-91 if I want to do some quilting. My serger is also out if I am garment sewing. Hang on to your zz machine, it can come in handy! I agree with another member...get rid of some cabinets and the machines don't take up so much room!

I am in agreement with the ladies above in that you should keep your ZZ machine, even though you close it up and put it away temporarily. I have my machines set up all around the outer walls of my sewing room. Upon entering, that space is taken up by my TV for entertainment and studying Fons & Porter DVDs, then my current "fix up", then my Viking embroidery, my ironing board, my serger, my Elna (the go to machine for everything), and my quilt cutting out space. The opposite wall holds a ton of fabric from floor to ceiling, my Gammill in front of them, and my storage space for quilt related items, and a 201 Singer set up for sewing all SS work, plus a 4-legged cabinet set up with a FW when I am in the mood to play with it.

Uh oh, I ran out of space there. Needless to say I have a LARGE dedicated space for a sewing room; way out in my back yard and I don't like to go out there by myself and sometimes have a hard time getting someone to accompany me when I am in the mood to sew or quilt. And I haven't learned how to post pics yet; maybe someday, if I can get my brainy non-sewer daughter to show me how. I keep promising to teach her how to quilt if she will teach me how to do all the computer things necessary in today's world. Oh, well......

I have found a way to use as many of my machines as possible. I like to have projects going on all of them at one time, just for the fun of it. In my dining room I have four vintage machines in cabinets (Singer 185J, 401A, Kenmore 158.14300, and Universal) which stay open most all of the time with projects ongoing. In my sewing room I have an embroidery machine (not being used much lately), my Featherweight (great for piecing), my plastic Singer with lots of stitches, a saved from the trash plastic Brother with lots of good stitches too, a brown crinkle White Rotary ( still working on it), a shuttle Kenmore, and a vintage Morse (need to find the time to fix the bobbin winder which I took apart and can't figure out how to put back together.) I love all of my vintage straight stitch machines the best (Singer FW, 185J, shuttle Kenmore, and Universal.) I just sold my vintage Domestic at a yard sale (paid $16.00 and sold for $25.00.) There is something so special about the way the straight stitch machines sound when they sew and they always work when you need them. But I do like to have the special stitches when I am quilting wall hangings, table runners and quilts, doing applique or making doll clothes. You might want to find a way to save that zz machine, you may just regret it if you get rid of it.

I have my 201 and 401 set to go . . . and one of my FW resides on the cutting table. (She's small enough to move around). The others are positioned so I can easily open and use them without disturbing the others (as long as the others are hiding in their cabinets.)

I use the 201 the most for SS but wouldn't be without my 401 for the ZZ.

Find something else to get rid of :-)

I would never get rid of my Elna ZZ machine. She is off the side right now, but will be put in place today to repair a dog leash. Even if you put the ZZ machine in a closet, keep it.

Space is an issue for many of us - for storage and actual usage of items.

I sent three machines on their way this year. I don't miss USING them - because I never got around to using them - but I do miss OWNING them. (Singer 401A, Singer 66-?, Singer 237)

I have four working machines and one machine that needs to be fixed still here - they are basically just clutter or doorstops when they are not in use. (Or decoration for those that have them out)