Worthpoint article about old sewing machine...
 

And why your old treadle isn't either rare or worth much. I'd say more CL posters should read this article, but then who would we giggle at?

http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry...ewing-machines

Great article!! Thanks Karen!!

Posted it to my CL. Maybe I'll catch someone who's got a gem and get them to sell for a reasonable price now!

Far too many crazy prices on Craigslist these days. $300 for machine that was literally a rusted hulk missing pieces- no frame! Too many people think Old = Gold. I did get a treadle for free several years ago, but haven't fixed it up yet. I like the old oak cases on the Whites and Franklins, would Love to have a nice parlor cabinet.

Thanks for the article! Definitely a like for me, having just been at an auction where I passed up a 1930s Singer 15 straight-leg treadle that I would have had to pay $175 or more for. (It had also been refinished and the legs spray painted). I may want a 15 treadle, but I can wait until something more reasonable for me comes along.

Thank you so much for the information! Good information for my children to know! :)

Amen! Thanks for posting this. Now I can enjoy my sewing machine habit at a reasonable expense.

~ C.

I agree its all dependent on the demand. Some of these machines are out in cabins where there is no electricity in this area. I have three only one of which I bought, a friend gave me her grandmothers in a parlor cabinet, since she knew it would be taken care of and she would not use it. It is a singer 66 redeye, the others are a white and Davis. Wouldn't part with them for anything.

I got to poking around-there's a whole series of "Unloved Antiques" articles. http://www.worthpoint.com/?s=unloved+antiques Some of this stuff I see go for stupid prices every Friday at the local auction.

My sister and I had a related conversation when we were closing my mom's house after she died. At what point does stuff go from being a meaningful family memento to attic clutter? Besides the 'old=gold' someone mentioned, I wonder how many of these crazy prices are predicated on the fact that it meant something to Grandma, so by golly it's got to be worth *something*?

This is a great article. There was one old rusted one in our area that was going for $600!