How many sewing machines?
#271
Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 91
Four right now-- an inexpensive brother computerized machine for those rare occasions when I need something other than straight stitch or I want to take a machine with me (by far my lightest weight machine), a Juki TL 2010Q with a big harp and 1500 spm capability for my FMQ (love it for that), and two Singer treadle machines in cabinets because I like them and they sew straight stitches quite well (one is a 1928 Phoenix decaled 127, the other a 1930 66). I'd like to find a Singer 201-1 or a 15-90 that could be used on a treadle base, but have reverse capability. Not seriously looking, but if I run into one of them that I think is priced right and in good enough shape for me to get it running, it will probably come home with me.
#272
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 817
Came across this thread and read all posts w delight . Years ago I would not think it logical
Now, somehow I have too many sm(s)to list as I started collecting vintage machines over 12 years ago. 😋
Now, somehow I have too many sm(s)to list as I started collecting vintage machines over 12 years ago. 😋
Last edited by FabQuilter; 09-13-2016 at 10:05 PM.
#273
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Va.
Posts: 5,753
I love vintage machines. If I had room (and money) I'd have a bunch and also one of the swell new Brother, Janome or Bernina top of the line sewing machines, and an embroidery machine and a sit down long arm and maybe a long arm on a frame. As it s, I have the four machines that are listed in my sig. The PQ gets used nearly every day since I use it for most piecing and all Fmq these days. The PC420 get used for anything that requires zigzag, decorative and utility stitches other than straight stitch or if I need to do some basic sewing when the PQ is set up for Fmq--saves having to switch feet. The featherweight doesn't get used as much, but I have a hand crank for it that I put on and sew away when the power goes out, or if I just want to spend some time sewing outside--otherwise I try to make sure it gets used a couple of times a month. The Vx560 is now only used as a backup when the PC420 is in the shop. It was my main quilter for many years before I found the used PQ.
rob
rob
#274
I have 2 machines. My old Singer Touchtronic & my newer Janome Magnolia 7330. I would still only have the Singer if DH had not gone into a quilt shop with me one day & decided he wanted to buy me a newer machine. I think it is good to have a 2nd machine so I have something to sew on while one is in the shop.
#276
Super Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Houston, TX
Posts: 9,733
I currently have 5 plus a serger. One is my main machine that I use for all my garment construction. One is my mom's old 301a that I learned to sew on and have recently resurrected for it's awesome straight stitch, one is my Rocketeer that my husband bought me because I was so enamored of them. There are a couple others that I don't use and should get rid of but just haven't. Its okay to have something just because you like it. You don't need a reason sometimes
#277
Super Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Carroll, Iowa
Posts: 3,487
I have less than 12 but more than 2. My Viking D1 is now my basic piecing machine, my new Brother I have at one end of the cutting table mainly for attaching long borders and binding onto the quilt (keeps the weight from hanging over), a Babylock embroidery machine (its a combo but I just keep it for embroidery), 2 sergers, one for just a 3thread and the other for everything else and then of course the quilt machine. So I guess that makes 6 machine.
#278
Two.
I have a 1954 Singer 301A (with the larger flip down table). Just got it recently, have not used it yet.
A new Laura Ashley Brother. It was on sale. I used it for the Weird Al concert blanket quilt, but outside of that I've just used it for sewing.
So far I've only hand quilted (outside of that Weird Al quilt, which was too thick to easily hand quilt). I might get one more machine (one to keep at work, two to keep at home), but will wait for the right one.
I have a 1954 Singer 301A (with the larger flip down table). Just got it recently, have not used it yet.
A new Laura Ashley Brother. It was on sale. I used it for the Weird Al concert blanket quilt, but outside of that I've just used it for sewing.
So far I've only hand quilted (outside of that Weird Al quilt, which was too thick to easily hand quilt). I might get one more machine (one to keep at work, two to keep at home), but will wait for the right one.
#279
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: kansas
Posts: 6,407
I sometimes wonder why I have so many myself, but...My main machine is an Elna Quilt Queen Pro (love it), a Singer H74 for a travel machine (computerized by not extremely expensive); my Mom's inexpensive,lightweight Singer (don't know model) that isn't computerized and I've saved so that the g-kids can use(her ancient, heavy Kenmore with cams for different stitches went to my son); I also have a treadle (Singer) just cause it reminds me of my Mom sewing in the bathroom (only place with space!) on one when I was little, I also have an industrial ConSew heavy duty machine that rarely gets used but it sure is nice for upholstery, etc. I also have my 2nd machine, a very heavy Deluxe that is all mechanical, and then the Gammill long arm.
I think most of us that have more than one machine either have several because of different uses or just because we like the machines!
I think most of us that have more than one machine either have several because of different uses or just because we like the machines!
#280
Super Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Sonoma County, CA
Posts: 4,299
I have 20-something machines, I've sort of lost count. 22 or 23, I think. Almost certainly not more than 25.
Four are modern machines that I've bought brand-new over the years, starting with the simple Kenmore I bought when I was 19. One of those 4 is an embroidery-only machine.
A couple more are machines I inherited from my grandmother (including an industrial Pfaff that is an awesome and slightly terrifying BEAST, I love that thing).
The rest are mostly machines from the 50's & 60's, that I bought mostly because I think they're awesome. I do have a few that are older, including a hand-crank Singer 28 from 1899 and a few are from the 20's-40's. The oldest machine that I use on a really regular basis is my Featherweight, it's from the 40's. I have mostly Singer but I like a lot of the Japanese zig-zag machines so I have a few of those too.
I keep 4 or 5 machines set up for use at all times, and tend to rotate the older ones through so they all get some love. I try not to let them sit for very long without getting put to work. I have four "students" - friends who are beginner sewers that come over to work on sewing projects and I try to help them along - having several extra machines set up makes it so they don't need to bring their own machines if they don't want to and helps me keep my various machines limber. Plus I like introducing young people to vintage machines! (2 of them are in their early 20's.)
Kind of funny, some of you might relate - the first time my house sitter came over, she surveyed my sewing room (which is in the living room) and looked at all the machines set up and asked me, "So, how many people work here?" She seriously thought I was running a sweat shop out of my living room! LOL!
Four are modern machines that I've bought brand-new over the years, starting with the simple Kenmore I bought when I was 19. One of those 4 is an embroidery-only machine.
A couple more are machines I inherited from my grandmother (including an industrial Pfaff that is an awesome and slightly terrifying BEAST, I love that thing).
The rest are mostly machines from the 50's & 60's, that I bought mostly because I think they're awesome. I do have a few that are older, including a hand-crank Singer 28 from 1899 and a few are from the 20's-40's. The oldest machine that I use on a really regular basis is my Featherweight, it's from the 40's. I have mostly Singer but I like a lot of the Japanese zig-zag machines so I have a few of those too.
I keep 4 or 5 machines set up for use at all times, and tend to rotate the older ones through so they all get some love. I try not to let them sit for very long without getting put to work. I have four "students" - friends who are beginner sewers that come over to work on sewing projects and I try to help them along - having several extra machines set up makes it so they don't need to bring their own machines if they don't want to and helps me keep my various machines limber. Plus I like introducing young people to vintage machines! (2 of them are in their early 20's.)
Kind of funny, some of you might relate - the first time my house sitter came over, she surveyed my sewing room (which is in the living room) and looked at all the machines set up and asked me, "So, how many people work here?" She seriously thought I was running a sweat shop out of my living room! LOL!
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