I would not loan tools and especially my machine! My tools do not leave my house.

Noooooooooooooooooooo!

This is my way of thinking too.

That's my feelings too.

I loaned my older, less expensive machine to a friend so she could make some kitchen curtains. 6 months later, I happened to stop by her house to pick up my machine, and she went out on the patio to get it! When she brought it in, the case was filthy, covered in weathered yuk, and cobwebs! She smiled and said, "I hope you don't mind I stored it on the patio, my closet would be full if I put it in there." WHAT???. I just quietly took my machine home again, and swore never again!

One answer, hell would freeze over first ;) if necessary, I would go through my tools etc and anything I had duplicate or more of, or didn't use, I would give away but lend no chance.

I do give things away, but never loan anything I value and I don't borrow either.

I share accuquilt dies with my two best sewing buddies and would trust them with anything that I own, anyone else is hands off. I agree that freeloaders at a class or workshop deserve the cold shoulder.

I too grew up with the "neither a borrower or a lender be" philosophy. Although I am personally seldom asked to loan my sewing machine or supplies, my decision process would be, "can I afford to replace it" and "would I be upset if it was broken or not returned". If I am able to replace it, and, would not be upset if it was broken or not returned then I would loan it out. Otherwise, no way! When my DD or DDIL admire something or express interest in it, I keep that in mind for their next birthday or Christmas gift.

I will loan my quilting tools to a few close quilting friends that I know will take care of them. This includes a spare Bernina machine. And, I comfortably borrow from them. This is especially true of specialty rulers because they are so expensive and have limited use. I also lend books-and borrow books. But, I would not loan casually and certainly not in a situation that someone else comes with the idea that they can just borrow and not be prepared. In these cases loaning equipment means I cannot fully get the value of the project intended.