Originally Posted by jackkip
Miz Johnny,
You have a wonderful collection. I really enjoyed looking at them. How long have you been collecting?
I've always had a few old machines around, but I've been "collecting"--with a vengeance--about 12 years. There are somewhere in the neighborhood of 150 machines in this not-so-big house, not all of them worth keeping.
For the person who asked
". . .So do you buy every machine you get? If not, how do you deal with the feelings of passing on one and then later wishing you had bought it?
Next question, where do you store said machines? Do you actually use them or just display them? I am scared of years from now showing up on one of the hoarder shows with so many machines you can't walk in my house."
I used to buy darn near everything that floated my boat and I could afford. Then I began--too late--to become more selective. There's only one machine I REALLY regret, a Gold Medal (chainstitch) treadle, on sale for $62.50. It was early in my collecting, and I told myself I didn't need it. I've been kicking myself ever since. Hard. Twice a week.
Now the hard part. I AM in danger of "showing up on a hoarder show". I'm trying to regain control, which is much harder than losing it in the first place. I recently listed some of my treadles and electrics on a TOGA site, and when I'm done with next week's travel, I'll list what hasn't sold on craigslist.
I plan to keep most of my hand cranks, the electrics I really use, and the treadles I'm not yet willing to part with. Still a lot of machines.
Yes, I really use them. Even the ones in fabulous condition--they were built to be used, and I do. If I can't use them, I don't want to keep them.
Robin joined some of us at a TOGA in Ohio a couple of weeks ago. I understand she now has a complete treadle???