The real reason was her mom thought she needed something better than a Singer 15-91 which only has the straight stitch and reverse. Heck, that's mostly all I use!!! Some people DO have to look the gift horse in the mouth!!!!!

My wife is the quilter in the family, and only kept one machine from 1975 to 2006, not counting her one serger she got in 1994 and her one embroidery machine she got in 2001. She bought a new basic machine in 1990, and quickly sold the other one in a yardsale. She sewed up a storm with just one machine at a time for several years.

Then, I started collecting sewing machines in 2006, and now she has so many that it’s sometimes a chore to decide with one to use for which project (37 machines). Several will do the job just as nicely as another. I’m always bugging her to “try such-n-such machine for that project”, just to see if she likes that one better. Life was easier for her when she only had one.

Truth be told; she still only uses 2-3 of them regularly, and a couple more for “special” projects, special stitches, or portability when sewing away from home. Once you get used to a machine that does what you want, it feels good to keep using it. And I believe that swapping back and forth between machines causes you to have to re-train yourself at the beginning of a project. Could be unnecessary pressure in some cases.

I swap around between 3 Industrial machines and 2 household machines (mending, repairs, & construction in a shop), but that’s because they all do different things and it’s not just sewing for pleasure. Don’t feel bad if you like just one machine and it does what you want.

CD in Oklahoma

It started off with just one machine, but in my quest to find the one that I learned to sew on, I found that there were many more that were good for different situations. I also discovered that I really like taking them apart and cleaning them up and restoring them to full function. :)

This is my collection, roughly in order of age:
* Singer Futura SES 1000 Embroidery Machine - I'd never do this again!
* Brother 1034D Serger (worth its weight in fat quarters)
* Brother 270D Embroidery machine (missing its embroidery parts, bought at a garage sale)
* Brother CS6000i (great little computerized machine that weighs nothing)
* Kenmore 1803 - probably my favorite all-around
* Kenmore 1802 - in case the 1803 breaks
* Singer 750 - was my Mother's - now basically a decoration
* Singer 503 (3) - waiting for me to replace their bobbin winder parts and give them away
* Singer 500 - perfect working order
* Lady Kenmore 89 - from 1959 - has 21 stitches built-in and is just a wonderful machine with a pretty cabinet and matching storage chair.
* Singer 403 (2) - perfect working order
* Singer 401 (2) - perfect working order - one has some little cosmetic issues
* Singer 316G - treadled machine - perfect - complete set of attachments - great for power outages
* Singer 301 - perfect working order with desk, bench and huge collection of attachments
* Singer 201 (2) - one is waiting for me to replace all the electrical and repaint her and the other is in perfect working condition
* Singer 15-91 (2) - perfect working order - my favorite quilting machines
* White Rotary Bronze Embossed - the anniversary edition of their machine is bronze plated and could be quite beautiful. I've had the Mount Vernon cabinet refinished and the electrical components replaced and the motor cleaned. I haven't sewn with this one yet. It was in terrible condition when I bought it and I never wanted to risk plugging it in.
* Singer 66 - Cabinet needs rebuilding and machine needs to be stripped and painted. Complete set of back-clamping attachments, sews beautifully
* Singer 27 - needs to be cleaned and the cabinet needs refinishing. Complete set of attachments and a joy to sew with
* Singer 127 - just the stripped head - came with the wooden parts to a treadle machine. Someone turned the iron base into a table or something.
* Singer 128 - treadle - sews beautifully - one of the attachments is a hemstitcher

A lot of my machines are beautiful or are terrific sewing machines, so I love them, but only the Lady Kenmore and the White Bronze Embossed are actually what I'd call collector's items.

I have several that I will give to senior centers or to the parish hall when I've fixed the minor issues with them and have the cabinets cleaned up. I really do need to clear out the ones that don't get used much because they are much happier when they're sewing. :)

I just ordered a featherweight and browing around sewing machines (smile) I was able to get a new Brother sewing machine for $59. and free shipping so my granddaughter is going to have a new machine to start her off. LOL

Wasn't that a good deal?!!!!

I have 4 but only 3 run at predent. I like haveing friends over and we do do some projects together. I love teaching children to sew I use them all.

one juki that is on the quilter, my kenmore in the table in sewing room, old kenmore 1978 won't get rid of, FW just because, brother that is just for embroidery only, brother that is take along machine, and just got a treadle... when DH complains I just ask how many tractors and lawn mowers he needs...he shuts up LOL

I have 4: a Baby Lock Quilter's Quest (bought in March), a Viking Sapphire 830 (43 yrs old), a Singer that is 21 yrs old, and a serger I bought at a yard sale 2 years ago. I use the serger about once every other month for projects related to my job and for the occasional apparel project. The Singer was a gift that I used until I broke the needle plate thread painting (I have since replaced it!). I kept it in case my son wants it for sewing camping gear. My Viking came about after my mother bought me one for Christmas. I used the first one she got me and made several quilts, teaching myself FMQ along the way. When the Sapphire came out, I traded for it since it has a larger throat space. I sew daily and the stress of that was apparent to the tech that services it, so he suggested I get another machine and alternate, thus the Baby Lock. Do I need all of them? Sometimes, but do golfers uses everyone of their clubs every time they play?

I have 4 machines:
~serger- not used for quilting, though I will use this when I make my dupioni quilt.
~electronic older model Pfaff- my main machine. She has a lot of built in stitches that I like to use to dress up blocks occasionally.
~mechanical Pfaff- my backup machine, plus my daughter uses this one when she wants to sew with me. (She's 10 and uses both of my machines)
~9" harp Pfaff on a frame- quilting

WOW on so many machines. We have a small house so I must limit myself.

I have my HQ16....a Janome 6660 and a small Janome to take to classes and retreats. I HAD a Kenmore and put it on Freecycle when I got my small Janome....lots of people asked for it. It was sort of sad because I had only one to give away.

DH thought I was nuts when I got the small Janome. I asked him to lift up the big one...then he understood. I go lots of places with my sewing machine.

I have three: one is my primary, more expensive machine, one is an inexpensive backup/class/travel machine, and one I inherited from my grandmother and is kept mostly for sentimental reasons.