One of the things that I notice here is that kids in their 20's around here are discovering the "I can do this myself" attitude. My Daughter sews to repair and or tailor her own clothes, and I fugured it was just exposure to my old fashioned attitude about stuff, but she has several friends who do also. I asked a friend one time why she sews clothes and she said she was tired of buying junk.... There is hope.
I think these types are driving the prices up but only on "usable" machines. the price of what i refer to as novelty machines. (cool and fancy, but not necessarily a go to machine) seems to be dropping. Singer 1940-50's industrials rus 300+ all day long here, but beautiful treadles go for 100-300 usually, with pretty examples getting more from time to time.
Also Handcranks are getting harder and harder to find. Portability makes them very popular in todays culture.
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