quilt938

a while back I was feeling pretty overwhelmed with all the machines I have (as well as lack of time to play with them all let alone figure out what needs doing to them) a bunch were from my mom(she collected at various sales so most were super duper bargains for her and even more for me since they were free...but she got a bunch of 301s and I already had 2 fws and added her centennial to the herd, couple of 99s and other repeats...)

well I thought I'd trade or sell at least a 2-3 of the 301's since I don't particularly think they're beautiful to look at (like the 15's and cool colored ones from the 50s/60s) but loved sewing on my first one (my first vintage machine I bought myself over 10 yrs ago...) well...I decided to grab one out of the closet and picked a black one that had a dullish finish and a lot of the decals worn off, including the center - I can see it if the light hits a certain way or rather, where it WAS - no gold color there now. well she sewed and sewed well. I went ahead and gave her some oil and looked up how to do the bobbin and threading...sigh...sewed on her a little bit w hile watching The Music Man on July 4th...sigh again...her name is PJ (Plain Jane) and she's gone to a quilting bee and one quilt retreat in less than a month and my $2000+ babylock is still in her case while I lovingly tote PJ in and out of the house. she's not leaving me. my mom rescued her and I've 'bonded' I guess...sigh..

I'm afraid to try any more and afraid to get rid of them! what if this happens with every.single.machine?! and even worse is the handcrank I bought has been serviced and is ready for pickup...that shop is FULL of machines and where I succumbed to my own temptation several times (ok 6) within 3 trips thinking maybe I should ask a friend to go pick it up or at least pm her on facebook and ask if there's any temptation there....well other than the other handcrank that I think may be next on my purchase list...kept playing with it 3 different times and really like it...

I hope I'm at least I'm not the only one with this problem...some of these machines really need to go towards trades for others or at least make some space for future must-haves...

costumegirl

LOL!!! I can really relate to your dilemma! It is too hard to see one go out the door but my space is getting smaller and smaller. ha ha doesn't stop me from keeping an eye out for some other little gem that might appear

quilt938

gosh and this is the one I thought I would most be able to part with! that's the really scary part - I just fell in love with her! guess I need to move on to the next and see...esp since I need to go pick up my other machine probably tomorrow so that gives me later today to fiddle with another machine and see...hoo boy! I have a quilting friend who wants one of the the tan/beige 301s and that shop has the 2 tone one that I don't have..but I'm sure I'd be trading more than getting just because it's a shop and a shop's gotta make some moolah to stay a shop!

tessagin

I would pick the best one of each model you have that work and the handcrank. Then maybe a companion. The ones that are going to be costly to work on and you really have no desire to use. Go from there. Only problem is they're kind of like babies. Which one do you get rid of and don't want to hurt their feelings!! I have 2 and leaving it at that. Maybe.

quilt938

but the one I named PJ isn't the best I dont think but how can I give up something I've named and fallen in love with?! maybe I should just go through and pick the prettiest and make sure it works of each then not try the others and use those for trades/selling to friend...maybe that would work...dunno...can't believe you only have 2 LOL I had one and it wasn't a month before the herd started growing but I stopped when my mom started shopping for them and let her have her fun for a few years.didn't expect to inherit them so soon :-(

Rodney

Let's just say you're not alone. I find it hard to part with them too. I've given a few away to friends and have sold one. There is a certain amount of pleasure in seeing someone receive a machine and seeing the happiness they feel when they get it. It's easier when you know the person is going to use and appreciate the machine.
Rodney

Cari-in-Oly

For me, I find it easier to give a machine I love away to a friend that I know will love it than to sell it. And I know exactly how you feel about the black 301. The one I got in January I was determined to flip because I already had a beige 301 that I love and just didn't have room for another. As I started cleaning up the black one I fell in love. I actually felt guilty, lol. I got out the beige one recently and I'm still just as in love with that one. What to do? I decided to give the beige one to my BFF. That way I'd still have visitation.

Cari

Jeanette Frantz

I know what you mean. I have many more machines than I would have expected to have, but I, personally, have not purchased any of them. My son secured a couple of Singer T & S Machines and used them to practice on and learn more how to work on that particular model machine, then the shop where he worked had thrown a Baby-Lock Serger into the "discard" room, which would eventually have been trashed, so he ended up with that one as well, as well as a Singer 201, a Singer 185J, a Singer Athena 1200. Then, he purchased (at Good Will Store) a white FW for $50, and a Singer 403A for $41.00; I inherited a National Two Spool from my husband's side of the family, and my Mom's Singer 1425. I still have my Singer 328K that my husband bought me for Christmas of 1963 (the first year we were married), and I would never part with it. In fact, since my son has gifted me with these machines, I really cannot sell or dispose of them! BUT, I don't have room for any more. I won't say there aren't some that I would love to have, but practically speaking, I've nowhere to put them, so I won't get any more, I simply can't! If I were physically able to refurbish them and then dispose of them, that would be another thing, but I'm not, so that's out of the picture, in addition to the fact that I'm 70 now. It wouldn't make very good sense to acquire more stuff for my son to have to dispose of when I'm gone! I really do understand your dilemma, but I really don't have an answer to suggest! I wish you well in whatever you decide you want to do!

Jeanette

DonnaMiller

I can surely relate. My herd is getting too large and attracting comments from other family members like.... You have enough or stop already. I am selling some and giving others away. Some were no cost rescues. I bought a pretty, blue, Singer last weekend because it was immaculate and only $5. Somebody stop me. My husband just shook his head and carried it to the truck. I promise not to take any more long bobbin machines. No 1950 dashboards, and so on and so on. I'm still a sucker for old black Singers though. They are bulletproof and usually needy. Can't stop trying to save them. Oh well.....

quilt938

I wish I had someone close to me who loved old machines..my mom who held onto everything and unfortunately taught me the same whether intended or not had mentioned once that she almost gave one to this young woman she was talking with at a sale but just didn't extend the offer and never ran into her again. she also thought about giving one to my sil then said it'd just sit there(and I asked 'like it is now?!) LOL she saw the humor in the statement too HA!

I really need to get where I can trade some in or sell - there are other machines I want to add to the herd and it makes more sense to part with duplicates(or 8-plicates LOL) than to keep forking over more cash. I enjoy looking a them. my mom had a fondness for the singers and even grabbed some touch and sew/stylists think 2-3 but lots of the old black ones including some models I already had. I've fallen for the same luckily (sucker for a 15 and actually turned one down but keep wishing I hadn't LOL!) but now the clones and the pink atlas and the older kenmores from the 50s..and 2 other kenmores joined the herd last year a pretty 1802 and another in the 1400 series I think not sure on that one..might'vebeen 1803..hmm..had some of the tower of power but dont think it had all. then I added a couple of handcranks (and eye on another at that shop!) and got a good 15-91 and 201 that I know run and thinking about playing with that 201 today or tomorrow wanting to do some placemats and aprons but debating on pulling out the pink atlas and sewing downstairs(that sucker is HEAVY! and it's already downstairs), going upstairs to the handcrank 128?...pulling out the 201 which is upstairs...my 15-90 in the cute cabinet that upstairs in a different room but I fiddled with the tension a while back trying to free motion and afraid I might've messed it up though can fiddle with it again and fix it back...or pulling out one of the featherweights- one a friend just serviced for me and returned at retreat last weekend...too many decisions!