When one of mine 'dies', I just don't have the heart to discard it! I also have one that I use for embroidery, so I need one to sew with while she is working. Then, I got my 'dieing' one fixed, in case someone comes over to stitch with me and they don't need to bring a machine. :)

I have three; one to piece, one to bind, and one to quilt. I don't have to mess with the tension on any of them when moving from start to finish.. ( and as a last resort.... if I can't afford to get a tune up on time I have a spare) I have a really small room,9x9 no closet; but manage to have 3 different stations... just a slight twist in the chair and I'm at a different machine.

i have 4 featherweights 3 sewing machines 1 embroidery machine and 2 longarm quilting machines 2 sergers 1 treadle

Total, in my sewing room, there's 5 machines...but, only one of them is MY sewing machine. I have two DD's (ages 6 and 8) and they each have their own machines to learn on (so they won't break Mommy's), then there's my serger and my embroidery machine. So, in truth, I only have 1 sewing machine...the rest either do other jobs or belong to the little ones.

Like others on the board, I love the old Singer Featherweights (4) and Treadles (2). Why - they are beautiful and look darn good in my sewing room. I have a favorite FW that I take to classes and quilt days at church. I also have a Janome that I use all the time at home and a can't be beat Kenmore for standby. I just ordered an embroidery only machine. I forgot about the serger. I'm only missing a LA but I truly don't have the patience for that.

I have a treadle that my mom gave me, My grandmothers machine one I bought at goodwill, my Brother embroidery sewing machine an old kenmore I bought about 30 years ago used and some where in storage is my first machine I got from hubby when we got married, I also have 3 other machines in the basement for DDIL's to use and two battery operated ones we take camping. And I have an old singer head only that I got at a garage sale for $2.00 Only use two or three myself but when we have a get together get more out for the girls.

I have 5 and a serger that I don't use.

Serger - unused, given to me
White - I use it for purse/tote making, piecing, had it for years and I love it so much.
New Singer - I do a lot of FMQ on it. It's OK, not my favorite
Brother - my great backup machine <- I love this silly (was little less than $80 on Amazon, I got it when the White and "new" Singer were in the shop)machine more than I can say
Vintage Singer - piecing and binding <- great backup machine too
Treadle - FMQ'ing large projects, piecing. <- Don't use it often, but it works great.

All in all, all the machines have cost less than $500, and that includes the almost $300 for the newer Singer.

I have a straight stitch only machine that I use strictly for piecing quilts. It gets quite a workout! Then I have two combo (sewing and embroidery) machines, one that gets used nonstop, and the other occassionaly... it is my backup machine and class machine.

I have a vintage Singer that doesn't get used, although it sews beautifully, just because I wanted it... and then a serger and a stand alone coverstitch machine.

Finally, I have a commercial longarm. All these machines (except the Singer) get used quite regularly, some daily. I could never have just one machine, as sometimes machines break or need servicing, which means that machine may be down for awhile.

I have 4 machines. One I use for embroidery, one for piecing, one I use with teaching and one I have as a back-up or can take it when we camp.

Guilty! I have 3 I use, 2 that need worked on and two that look pretty. Were getting ready to move and DH said I had to choose. Ahhhhhh but how...... so the embroidery machine and the Kenmore and the serger is going with me!! Unless I can negotiate some more!! I'm waiting to see how many his tools are moving!!

I do have 3 machines. One older that is stored because my late father-in-law was the only one who could keep it running properly, the one I was using up till about 6 months ago, and the new one that is the one im using now.

There is a difference between what you want & what you need. As you are young & getting along with just one machine, I think you should have other priorities like savings to think of so that you can quilt in retirement. If you were not reading the QB posts, would you even think that you "needed" another machine? Quilting should be a controlled addiction when you have limited funds.

Let's see:
Brother Pacesetter NX400 for general sewing and piece work,
Bother Innovis 4000D, it's a combo machine but used for embroidery only,
Brother PQ1500s I use on my frame for quilting,
my first serger and old Toyota, it needs some work but I'm not ready to give it up yet
and finally, my step-daughter has her great-grandmother's treadle her. She doesn't know it but I really don't want her to come get it. I'm afraid she'll loose it somewhere.

So total count in the house: 5

5, two were donations, 1 embroidery, 1 that I use daily, and a serger, just order #6 today for my frame.

Eleven was hardly toward the upper end of the range of responses. Some people collect vintage machines, just as some people collect spoons, ceramic figures, guns, handbags, jewelry, cars, antlers, etc. Who is to judge what is worthwhile to collect or not? Personally, I think sewing machines are among the more worthwhile things to collect, because they are USEFUL, and many of them hold or even increase in value, such that they could be sold off if need be. We all really only need three outfits for each season, right? One to wear, one in the wash, one ready to wear. Of my machines, 2 are out on loan, 2 are "clunkers" waiting to be trade-ins, 3 are featherweights (and I have two kids who want to inherit one each). I have multiple machines for my own use and pleasure. I mean, who needs any of this silly quilting hobby? We can all just buy blankets made in sweatshops, right?

I have 6 that I use quite regularly. Since my sewing room is being renovated right now, the goal is to line all of the ones I use up so that I can get to them easily. I have the set up to do different functions. Like I have a singer 15-91 that is my dream when it comes to sewing on binding. No clunking sounds. I have one set up for ruffles,one that I call my main one, cause I do most sewing on it. I have one set up for decorative stitching and circular sewing. I have a serger and 2 embroidery machines.. Then I have 2 treadles. I like knowing that if the power goes out I can still sew things together. And I have a Cinderella machine that works but will be on a shelf in there for looks. And a handcrank with roses on the bed. And it's always a good idea to have back up machines. I ended up in the midst of a project one time. Only had one machine and was not able to sew for like 2 weeks. That really set me back. So I guess it depends on how much you sew and how many things you like doing when you sew.

Hi. I have 2 brother machinies. One is a regular machine with a needle threader and you can oil and clean it yourself.
I wanted a computerized machine. It is great for many things like stitched other than zig zag and straitht stitch.
I had it for less than a year and had to have it cleaned which cost almost as much as the machine cost in the first place. The instructions don't include any maintenance other than cleaning the dust out. So I don't use it as often anymore. And the needle threader is difficult to use. Lowell ;)

I wanna come to your house Nancy. LOL :)

I have 4.
My Janome 6600P that I use most of the time.
A brother that I use outside or in a different room and consider it my backup.
A Kenmore that my hubby(then boyfriend) bought for my high
school graduation (1975). It is real workhorse and I use it for sewing anything heavy.
A treadle that I inherited from my hubby's family. Don't use, but would like to some day.
Looking at an embroidery machine to buy soon.

I only have 4 (ummm ... my non-sewing friends would say "only?").

My original machine is a 1983 Sears Kenmore that was a wedding gift from my first husband. Basic machine. Haven't the heart to get rid of it.

When I married second husband I started sewing again and was having repeated problems with Kenmore. Hubby #2 bought me a new machine - Husqvarna 535 Lily. At this time I was sewing garments and such.

Then I started quilting. While the Husky was good at it, I found after about 4 years that it wasn't the ideal quilting machine. I drooled over a Janome Horizon MC6600. When the 7700 came out a lot of ladies traded in their 6600's for the 7700 and I bought an "experienced" 6600 which I love. The two things I love on this machine are the integrated walking foot and the larger (than my Husky) harp area. When I bought it I originally intended on using my Husky to piece and my Janome to quilt. As it turns out, I'm using my Janome to piece and quilt. I still give my Husky a turn though :)

Last but not least is the new addition - an embroidery machine. Hubby wanted to buy me a sewing/embroidery machine back when I got the Husky and I balked and said I would never need/want embroidery. Within the last 3 months or so ... I found a need. I want to make embroidered quilt labels. I looked at a few machines, balked, whined, balked. I'm a practical person and I couldn't justify several hundred $$ for a machine that did nothing but make labels for quilts. Eventually husband asked what I was looking at on Craigs list etc, and I told him (and of course he said "I told you so"). That was 4-5 weeks ago or so. Last Wednesday he came home with an embroidery machine that "fell into his lap" (he won't tell me the whole story). It's not the machine I would have bought - but I didn't buy it and I'm not looking a gift horse in the mouth. It's basic, has the minimum but still has the USB capabilities so I'm calling it WONDERFUL.

And to be quite honest ... I'm really not interested in a Featherweight. Yeah, they're cute, but I really don't think I would like piecing on something that small. I don't travel with my machine so the weight of my 6600 doesn't bother me a bit. I wouldn't say no to one of those gorgeous old Singer Red Eye's or Egyptians though - electric - not treadle.

I have the following:
3 Featherweights: 2 black, 1 white but one of the black ones is going to my DIL when they come to visit- love my FW's!!
My Bernina- love it, a Redeye66- love it, a 15 with Egyptian detailing- gorgeous-love it, a White that doesn't work b/c the cord is frayed but got it in a cabinet with drawers loaded for 15.00, a Singer 201 and a 301- love them.
And I have my first machine- a Kenmore portable my Dad bought me- used it forever until I got my Bernina, wouldn't part with it for anything :)

I sew on most of them and love antiques so they serve both my passions. But I need to quit b/c enough is enough (?) LOL :D

I have 14 sewing machines. It started out because I really didn't like the new Singer that I bought when I first started sewing. So I kept looking for a old Singer that was all metal. DH helped me find some on CL and at auctions. So now I have the cheap Singer, a featherweight, 301, 401, 500, 503, 66 handcrank, 201, 223, 99K, 15-91, a modle 12 treadle, 72w19 hemstitcher and a Pink Atlas. I use all except the treadle and hemstitcher. I have a very large 5 bedroom farm house with 12 closets to store some of them in as well as a good sized sewing room. At some point, I will get rid of a few that I don't use/like.

wow, you're my idol...

oh and yes I do still use the one I just replaces. I would use the older one if I could find someone who could make it run properly.

oh yes, I have many ! 1960's .. started sewing Marsh Brady clothes for myself, 1980's a new mom and sewing my children's clothes, 2000 update, so many new stitches than just zig zag, 2010, moved, could not find my pressure foot for my 2000 sewing machine..

and now !! have an embroidery, low end, just for fun embroidery..

yes, we NEED other machines !

Ell

I currently have 5 sewing machines:
Pfaff 2.0 Expressions is my main machine
Janome AQS Anniversary weighs 12 lbs is my traveling machine
Singer Overlock (serger)is for finishing off edges & basic serging
Bernia Embroidery is only for embroidery projects
Old BelAir (weighs about 47 lbs) is used for heavy sewing - canopy repairs, canvas, denim, etc...
But have room for a treadle or featherweight, just need to find one in my travels. It's one of my dreams/goals to find one this way, just by chance like so many others have on this website. Got my fingers crossed.

I have a Janome 9000 that is my main machine in my sewing room and a Kenmore main serger. Also have a 40+ year old Singer that still sews good (and can be repaired, if need be), unlike the other Janome I have that has bit the dust and is not supported anymore. I have two Kenmores for backups, one I have in my TV room to use so I won't wake my husband if he goes to bed early (my sewing room is right next to where he sleeps. Enough so I don't panic if one goes away or on the blink.

hmmmm, how many? not sure.

1) Kenmore 158.1430 My first machine, purchased new in 1974, gave it to my mother when I upgraded and now I have inherited back. Very useable, but not in use. It resides in my mothers cabinet she got in 1952.

2) Kenmore 158.1914 my 2nd machine (purchased new in '76) a mechanical workhorse. My main backup machine if/when I need it.

3)Kenmore 385.1915, my first computerized machine. I keep it at my sewing buddy's house since we sew every week and I don't have to drag it back and forth.

4)Babylock Protege Serger, bought new in the 90's. Now resides with DD.

5) Pfaff 7570, my dream machine when I bought it. I still love that machine and it is set up for use in my sewing room. It was my main machine until I bought the BL Serenade.

6) Brother PE 150 4 x 4 embroidery machine

7) Babylock Imagine Wave Serger

8) Babylock Coverstitch Machine

9) Babylock Embellisher

10) Babylock Emore 5 x 7 embroidery machine

11) Juki TL2010Q bought with the intent of putting on a frame.

Grace GMQ Pro Frame for the Juki

12) Babylock Serenade, just got a month or so ago.

13) Singer 1896 Treadle, Perfectly ready to use at anytime altho I don't use it.

14) Singer 1938 Featherweight, simply cuz I wanted one, they are just soooo cute! Yes it is usable and it perfect for taking classes with.

15) Singer Rocketeer that is being stored here for a friend. Yes, it is in perfect shape and ready to sew with. It resides in a really nice cabinet.

Plus a Morse 4300 and a Cromwell that were my MIL's. The are at my DIL house in KY.

So, yes...it appears I have alot of machines but each and every one serve a purpose. Besides, it was not worth trading in whenever I bought a new machine. I can make a much better deal flashing greenbacks.

Oh, forgot one. A white 565 in a cabinet that I picked up at an auction for $1. Yes, it works!

So that makes....18?

WoW! I have one. It is not working well even after maintainence, so it is nearing the end of its life. I am about to order another one.
I would love to have a serger though, for some reason I think it would help me.

LOL. I have 4 sewing machines. Inherited 2 of them. One i bought and another was a birthday, Mother's Day gift.

Let me see...
I have 2 hses so I have to have more then one
of everything...

In my NY hse I have 545 Husq Viking Lily, Husq Viking EM10 Embroidery machine, White Serger, Singer 1951 Black 301

RI hse-Husq Viking SE combo sewing/embroidery, 1954 two toned 301 in cabinet, my Grandmothers 1949 99 3/4 model Singer in cabinet, 1901 Singer Redeye and ER10 Husq Viking Felting machine.

Just sold a Elna Grasshopper on ebay since I didn't use it much...All others I use, switching on and off and depending on which rm I'm in...Pretty much I have them in all parts of each hse so when I up or downstairs I don't have to drag one around...

So I guess my total comes to 9...and still looking

I have 3. I have an old Singer in a box somewhere in my garage that I have not seen in 24 years. I have a Pfaff machine that I bought 25 years ago in the garage (I know where that one is) and I have my Bernina which I bought about 5 years ago. My Bernina will be going in for a "check-up" and since the shop here in town that sells Bernina's is closing next month everyone and their mother is taking in their machines for service cause we will have to drive a bit further, they may need to keep it for 2-3 weeks. I will pull out my Pfaff for some piecing but am trying to get some quilting and some embroidery done before I turn in the Bernina.

I have 11 machines, unless there is one in the attic I forgot about.

I have my Featherweight which I love and take out on the back porch or on vacation to sew. I figure at night when everyone is sitting on the deck just talking, I can accomplish something, while still watching a fire and having a conversation.

I have my original Janome 419S, a low end because with my eyes I didn't think I could sew.

Then I got into the vintage machines:
I have a Singer Red Eye treadle named after my MIL which sews like a dream if someone else is sewing on it. I haven't got the coordination down yet. :cry: I use it for show mostly until our basement is finished off.

I have a Singer 66 electric which is in my living room and I love the stitches it makes. It doesn't have a backstitch, but I tie off the ends. The stitches are PERFECT! I love it for piecing. I use this machine almost daily.

I have a Janome 1600P which I have attached to a midarm frame. I only use the machine for quilting, although I can take it off the frame and use it for regular sewing.

I have my newest, a Janome MC6600P, which I love. It has the accufeed features along with a lot of specialty stitches. She is my main machine to use when appliqueing, etc. I use this one as it is in my sewing room but I hate to turn on the air conditioner if I am going to only be up there a short time. I also bring this to class if there are any specialty stitches or quilting to be done.

I have a Singer 201 in a cabinet, a Singer 99 in a case, and a Singer 27, also a Singer (that I don't even know what the model is that was given to me). I don't use these machines at the moment. They all work well and have nice stitches, but for convenience sake I use the other machines. These are there for backups if needed. I may get rid of these someday.

I also have a 1911 Singer 66 Treadle in the basement that I am refurbishing using Lostn51's directions. I need to put a couple of parts back on her and shine her up and refinish the cabinet. But the rest is finished.

Oh, I forgot, I have a Kenmore, which is the machine from HELL! Since day one it will not keep the stitches regulated. I have had this for about 30 years and it does have a lot of use in the past, but I think I have spent equal time regulating the tension to make the stitches look correct!

The last thing I made on this machine was a denim rag quilt. Came out great, until I washed it. :cry: :evil: Some of the stitches broke loose and now I have to repair it. I has been on the back right side of my couch for a year. My cat uses it to sleep on at times. But to mend to me is a 4 letter word! I may end selling this but telling them that it needs work. or just give it away. It is frustrating to look at.

I still want an embroidery machine, so see you can never have too many machines!

Now I am into collecting Singer purses also!

Sorry double post!

I think having the numerous sewing machines brings a feel for the past that a grandmother, aunt or mother had sewn on this very machine or it could be that we are saving them from ending up in a trash heap at a dump! I do have four antique`machines and have sewn on two of them. It's like fabric, 30's and feed sacks are popular for its memories. We relate to some things or have family that came from that time. As in collecting, there are many different catagories. And you can find bargains at yard sales, estate sales and even on CL and EBay. :)

Are you bragging or repenting?! :mrgreen:

Jan in VA (I have four)

Since I live in a motorhome on the road with my husband's business fulltime, I am a little bit limited. He already thinks that I have taken over with the fabric. Anyway, I have my Janome that I use on a regular basis for quilting, and an embroidery machine (also a Janome) which I bring out on days when I know I will have a lot of uninterrupted time. You don't need to collect sewing machines to quilt.

I have 5. (3Pfaff 2 old ones and a new one) 1 Bernina and 1 Singer. The ones I use most is one old Pfaff and the new one. The Singer is for the granddaughters.

My husband was a widower when we met and I 'inherited' the little singer his last wife sewed on and it is a great little machine. I had an idea to visit a new store to look for fabric and before I knew it I was sitting at a Janome 6600 and heard him tell the store owner to pack it up and we would take it! Within a couple of days he had decided he wanted to sew and he started using the machine, which I had no problem with, to make a rag quilt for his little Granddaughter. I left him alone for one afternoon while I went to work and when he picked me up from work he had a Janome 11000SE machine in the car so that we could 'both sew at the same time'! lol We use both machines extensively now as we both always have projects on the go. His latest purchase last November was our Handiquilter Avante Longarm machine so I am officially in sewing machine heaven and I love every one of them!