My first husband (now passed for 6 years) bought me a new sewing machine the fall we got married It was a Singer 1425 and cost close to 1000.00 twenty eight years ago! I made EVERYTHING on that Singer. Baby clothes, polo shirts for him, maternity clothes, curtains, quilts, frilly dresses for Erin, the list goes on and on.
When my second husband suggested trading it on a new machine I felt like he was asking me to trade one of my children. I was nice but said I don't think it is worth trading. BUT I could not pass up the opportunity to get a NEW one after 25 years!! He went with me to buy my Janome and the Singer sat in the sewing room unused but still loved. Last spring I gave it to my daughter and she cherishes it. I've told her that when she goes to France next fall the Singer comes home to Mama while she is away working. No storage shed for my baby!