Originally Posted by omak
There was a time in the nation when people understood the value in something that was simple, straightforward, durable, designed and built to outlive the person who created it.
There was a time in our nation when our citizens believed in thrift, self-reliance, personal accountability for their use of limited resources, diligence, and integrity.
None of those concepts are built into the products (or most of the products) we purchase today.
Today, when you buy a new gadget, there has been a study done to see how many times a dial can be turned before it wears out ... and, it is designed to fail after a certain amount of time ... and our citizens have purchased "throw away" items for generations, now, in the belief that we have moved beyond the need to be "old-fashioned", traditional, so backward as to think that it is possible to own something that is more capable than me in enduring the silliness of owner error ...
that, my dear, is why old black singer sewing machines are sought. Because the seeker has figured out - - durability and simplicity of repair will take a quilter further in this world than all the digital whatchamaycallits the "designers" will ever come up with.
And, maybe it is because the older we get ;-) the more we realize - - basic are NOT a bad word! <wave>
Wow, Omak, I couldn't have said this better if I tried... I too feel a certain connection to a better time in America when I use these lovely old pieces of fine workmanship. It was a time when people had values we so desperately need to get back to, today. That's a part of why I love the old machines. I could care less if they can't thread themselves! That's what I'm for...