well let me tell you this about that. I quilted with a group of ladies at my house. I have a few sewing machines, so they did not bring theirs. they used mine. a new lady joined the group and was sewing on one of my machines. next thing I see her pulling and pushing. I asked what she was trying to do. zig zag...well ps she broke the machine and I can no longer sew zig zag only straight and no designs. was I pissed. so unless you got eyes in the back of your head. don't!

It's not really an issue for me, because I'm the only person I know (locally) who sews/quilts. :)

That said, I'd let a friend borrow my tools and my machines in my own home where I can keep an eye on things, but I wouldn't permit them to change the settings on the machine or do anything else potentially problematic without asking me first.

As far as them taking my stuff elsewhere, NO. I've lent books and other non-sewing stuff to "friends" in the past, but it seems I either have to nag to get my stuff back, or I get it back in lousy condition, or I never get it back at all. :hunf:

Wow. What an eye opener conversation. It's only stuff.

tim in san jose

No I do not lend no tools and definitely not my machines.

Tim: Yeah its only stuff but if you don't have the extra money to replace or repair it, it means that you can't quilt. I think most of us would much more willingly share stash. I see indications of the extreme generosity of quilters every day. In some ways quilting has gone from a cottage industry to well off persons hobby, so the resources have to be husbanded. There are those of us that really feel a connection to our tools because of the year we use them. I kind of feel about my tools the way I feel about my toothbrush, not going to lend it. Yes I feel stingy about not being more open handed in lending but I also agree with what someone said about, "not lending anything you wouldn't be willing to give away".

It's also a LOT easier to be generous if you have a loose budget. (For me, anyway.) There have been times in my life where I could barely afford to eat, much less afford to replace belongings destroyed or lost due to someone else's carelessness. Currently I'm not in that situation, I am blessed with a good job so I can afford to replace things much easier than I could in the past, and probably easier than I will be able to once I reach retirement. So I can afford the luxury of generosity - it doesn't "cost" me as much if it bites me on the rear.

I agree. And sometimes the items don't come back at all, since they have claimed them as their own. :(

Sewnoma--so true!

Yeah it's only stuff but it's MY stuff.
I have loaned things out, never to be seen again. I now have my name on ALL my rulers and templates, which has helped a lot. So unless your name is Shelby and can prove it, give me back my rulers!
I do loan to my sister, but that is all.
Not a thing to do with quilting, but I loaned two egg incubators with turners to someone. When I FINALLY got them back, they were beyond saving. Into the trash they went.

I work and I pay for my own stuff. I don't lend it out. If one wants to sew/quilt, whatever, get your own stuff like I have done.

Sandy