taking a machine to workshops
 

This is kind of a newbie question, but I still have been wondering. I am going to go to a quilting workshop this week, and I will be taking my machine. Which is fine and I am looking forward to going. My question is, do any of you ID your machine in any way? I mean what if I sit at a table with someone who has the same machine as mine? Maybe it sounds silly, but I am a little concerned. Then I don't exactly know how I would ID the machine even if I wanted to. What do you guys think?

You could put a sticker of some kind on the bottom. I never thought of that but it sounds like a good idea. I don't like to take my machine and all the other things out because it seem like a lot of trouble for just a couple hours. Does anyone else feel this way. I don't own a small light weight machine.

Yep, I marked my machine, because in the retirement park where we live, the quilters and sewers group has exactly the same machine. So, I used a magic marker and put my name on the back of the machine, and inside the hard case, as well as the slide-off arm. That way, I always know which one is mine.

Have a happy time at the workshop. Wish I was going, too!

I would never bring my main machine out to a class, but I have concidered purchasing a lightweight semi-basic machine for classes.......which I haven't had time to attend because I'm always quilting. LOL

I label everything. Machine, manual, foot control, power cord, extension cord, hard case, scissors, rulers cutting mat..., well you get the picture!
I use one of those p-touch label makers.

I label everything. Even scratching into rulers with an initial. There are just too many like items. Olfa rulers, fiskars cutters, mats, you name it. A machine is usually pretty easy to identify but I like the idea of a name in marker underneath. Even if something disappears unintentionally, a mark can help for certain. I've never had anything disappear.

I stick address labels on my machine and tools. Don't forget a surge protector- and stick an address label on that too. You can buy clear ones and print them yourself. They work really well on rulers!

I use the little preprinted address labels to--on most everything including my cell phone, kindle E-reader, iPad, etc!

Like others I label everything; there are too many like type items and it is easy to become confused to what belongs to whom.

Take a piece of masking tape and put it on your machine in an inconspicuous place. Write your name on it, and your machine is identified. Or you could just stick a return address label on it, which is very easy to do.

I use a dot of color nail polish on things like rulers, cutters, seam rippers, scissors, thread spools, and other smallish items. I've seen many quilters use clear address labels on rulers.

Jan in VA

Sharpies work too.

Sandy

Have a scoring pen (it's just a metal point instead of ink point).....a scratched in ID cannot get peeled off....or perm marker...

I have a smaller, cheaper machine that I take to my quilting group so the main machine can stay set up and ready for use at home. If you do label it, it would be much more difficult for anything to happen to it. I also tag my cords.

Thank you for your replies. I did get a 2nd machine, but I still don't want to have it misplaced or accidentally taken or anything like that. Good idea about the cords and case too! I will get to labeling now

Never thought of getting those clear address labels. What a great idea.

I put my name on the bottom of my foot pedal. When transporting my machine, I set it in the back seat and seat belt it in.

I didn't label my machine itself (I have the serial number written down at home with my receipt, so if there's ever a real question I can easily prove ownership), but I do mark my pedal & power cord, and things that I think might get mixed up with someone else's, like my Olfa cutter and my rulers. I don't worry about theft as much as I worry about confusion and mix ups. I only take classes with my guild mates and I trust them not to deliberately steal from me. :) If I were taking classes with total strangers I'd probably be a lot more cautious.

I actually put my name on a piece of masking tape on the back side of the machine so that the teacher can read it when i have a question. Its pretty much always on there now i don't take it off.

I do this for everything. The permanent markers can still come off with an alcohol based wipe/cleaner. Especially, the plastic. I have used a screw/nail to etch my initials into the plastic. I also have a Dremel I use on some items. The clear labels are great. [QUOTE=sewnsewsue;6965355]I stick address labels on my machine and tools. Don't forget a surge protector

I usually label all my supplies for that same reason, especially rulers. I have never labeled my machine but I did for some reason, label the foot pedal (in marker on the bottom). I am sure glad I did because I did leave it on a quilting retreat but they easily identified who it belonged to and mailed it to me.

I bought a gold nail polish and paint spots on everything I take to a class. That way there is no mix-up.

Don't know how many workshops I have gone to and never labeled anything but my extension cord. Never left or lost anything either. It sure is a good idea, especially if you go long distances to workshops.

I do not mark my machine, there is no mistaking it. Although I use to mark my rulers, I seldom do that anymore. I have never had any issues. Most people only want to use my iron for a quick press because I set it up on my work table every time I sew.

I did have an issue with magazines, but now I keep them in my bag.

Why don't you tie a pretty pink ribbon around your machine? Or a strip of the fabric with which you are working?

I write on my machines-all of them. Name, address, phone number and any infomation that I keep needing to access like the order in which my computerized serger needs to be threaded.

My attitude is that these are my machines and I keep everything that I love until it absolutely dies. My children tell me I am boring. And they continue with the "fact" and they hate it, that it is genetic and they are boring too.

Write away, my dear! 🗽

Pat

I'm going to play "devils advocate" for a moment. If you put an address label on items, it can easily be removed. Marking your items with a permanent marker is a better solution. I've never had a problem but there's always a first time, particularly with a sewing machine where they are all the same type.

I use the pre printed address labels that come for free in the mail. They almost always have the wrong address on them but are delivered anyway. This puts my ID on my items anyway.

I read somewhere (maybe here on the Board) that at one retreat while they were at lunch someone came in and took their bobbin cases. It was suggested that when you leave your machine you take the bobbin case - just in case.

I name my machines and have made elaborate name tags with the name and attach it to the back our of the way.

One fun way to mark your machine is to get it a tattoo - a decal. I have one on my Bernina 440QE. You can find them at https://www.urbanelementz.com/shop/category/decals/. In full disclosure, the owner is a friend of mine, but her products are high quality and there is a nice selection.

As an old Girl Scout leader, I put my initials on everything that is easily duplicated. It does minimize confusion, especially if there is only one cutting station or several ironing boards. I use a purple Sharpie. If you have a favorite color, use it for marking everything. Labels are good, too, but can be peeled off.

If you plan on taking a lot of classes, especially as a newbie, it might be easier if you get a smaller machine. And you will be able to take it on retreats and workshops. I have several Singer 221 Featherweights, and alternate between them. The advantage of a mechanical machine is that you can leave it in the trunk of your car in all weather (though in SE Texas, it doesn't get too cold, so I don't know how it would do in the lower temps). I left one of my FWs in the trunk of my car for about 6 months, using it when I needed it, and didn't bring it in the house until I needed to lube and oil it.

In addition to the power cord/surge protector, you might need a lamp. I always take a small fan and an iron (though some places won't let you use it because of the load on their electrical system).

Make a list of everything you are taking. You can check off the items as you pack them, and you can check them off as you repack them, so you will know that you are going home with everything you brought.

This is what I do also, I even put one in a not so obvious place on my machine.

I use a dot of turquoise nail polish on everything, along with my name in Sharpie. Doubt anyone has exactly the same machine PLUS the same color nail polish! You could also write down the serial number of your machine - nobody can argue with that!

I always label my machines and my take alongs (scissors, etc.)

Good topic. I have enough problems keeping track of my keys.

I didn't think of a surge protector.

I have an address label on my power cord,foot pedal and on the bottom of the machine. When I just need a straight stitch, I take my purple featherweight. :D

I do the same, especially when taking it to be serviced. I unknowingly got my machine back with a different foot pedal. There was no way to locate my original. My advice - don't take chances.

Label everything. Mistakes happen and while most people are honest it only takes one bad one to ruin your day. If you have a machine with expensive small parts like bobbin cases or attachments take the small stuff with you if you leave for any length of time. Better safe than sorry.
Rodney

A great idea to label everything! At a retreat, a woman stole another's Bernina because she was unhappy with her own and had complained loudly throughout the retreat. The director was a friend of mine. She got into her car and drove to the woman's house and demanded that machine be turned over to her in exchange for the stolen one. She got the machine and returned it to the rightful owner. I learned then to label everything!

I label everything too. I use a label maker and use a bright green label stock. Not only does it have my name, but the color is a quick identifier.