bkay

I'm an estate sale shopper. I usually keep things for a while, at least until I figure out I can't or won't use it. I try to find the appropriate home for the items I will not use. A couple of years ago, I found a Dresden Plate quilt top that was about 1/2 finished. I kept it, but haven't finished it. It was $10.00. At that same estate sale, I bought a basket full of fabric for $10.00. In that basket was a beautiful Indian raw silk piece with neckline embroidery and set with coral stones. My DH was in the hospital for a few days. I gifted it to his physical therapist yesterday who was Indian. She was awed with it. I didn't know what it was, but she said that it was expensive, even in India. She was happy, I was happy.

It felt really good to give to someone who appreciated it. I gift fabric I will not use to Project Linus. The old saying, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." is still true.

bkay

QuiltnNan

This is an amazing coincidence!

ckcowl

The best $20 I ever spent was at a barn sale. I purchased a 1956 Singer 99-K in its original leather case in perfect condition. The owner had taken great care of it. It sews like a dream. While I was talking to her about the machine my hubby found a large batch of 100% wool ( he’s always checking for wool for me) he had a large arm load- probably $300 worth of wool. She said- oh you can have it, for buying the machine. My husband gave her $50 and told her she couldn’t make any money that way- she replied, “ I’m not worried about making money I’m worried about this stuff going away”
after her sale ended she brought me over another large tote of wool ( about 25 yards worth and a box of notions she came across for the machine. I know it was her- though she just put the stuff inside our garage door.

pocoellie

After wanting a Featherweight for a number of years, I found one in a thrift store for $200, then I'll be darned if I wasn't at an estate sale, when I found 2 more, one in the box, and the other, someone has spray painted it turquoise and didn't do a good job, but anyway, got both for $70, then another estate sale, found another one, wasn't priced, asked the gal how much it was, she asked me what I wanted to pay for it, I said, no, YOU tell me what you want for it, said how about $20.00, I said you got it, she said there was another machine outside, she showed me where, was a 401 for $10.00. You just never know what you'll find out there.

Jordan

You got a smokin' deal!! Nice of you to donate some of your bargains with your guild.

Onebyone

When I'm looking for a particular item for a great bargain I think about it, visualize it, and see myself finding it. I have never not be able to find the item within a year. I don't look for a genuine long lost Picasso, only normal things. LOL

Bebe2Ten

One of my best finds was an auction. I bid on an old singer in a cabinet, and at the last minute they added a couple of large boxes of miscellaneous sewing related stuff. I got the machine for $22, and when I got home and opened the boxes I found 60 whole, uncut, large feed sacks, and several quilt tops made from old feed sacks. Wow! I thought I'd won the lotto.

hobbykat1955

I started reading abt how everyone loved the 301. So my local school was having a tag sale so I went hoping I'd find one. "What were the chances of that?" In my area I had gone to hse sales and when I'd ask abt sewing machines they would look at me like I had two heads...So I went from table to table and pretty much gave up and was heading out and OMG off in the distance one table I missed there was a black machine. I rushed over and OMG it was a 301 for $30.00...I saw someone heading it's way, I snapped it up not knowing if it worked or had a bobbin case and took it home. It worked and I did have to buy a bobbin case but it was well worth it...I love my 301's...Yup, I now have a total of 3 and they all get used. One in a cabinet w/all the accessories Tan color for 90.00 and another black 301 in case with accessories for 50.00...all in mint condition.

jillmc

Stopped at a church rummage sale as they were beginning to clean up....sign said all items $5. Hubby spotted a serger..plugged it in and it powered up, so we took a chance. Cleaned, oiled, new needles....runs like new!

mindless

I stumbled across a CL ad for a 'little portable sewing machine' about 5 years ago. The address was about 1 1/2 hours away from me, but I answered the ad anyway, in spite of CL's reputation.

A male voice said that his mother had just passed, and he wanted it to go to a good home. I am just dumb enough to go and check it out...alone. I was using my phone GPS, and was fairly close when my battery died. I debated about just going home, but I couldn't resist "little portable sewing machine".

I drove around quite a bit before finding the address.

When I (finally) got there, I found the cutest little black singer ever. (I didn't really know anything about featherweights yet). He was asking $184.00 for it. I asked him if it worked, and he plugged it in for me. Do sewing machines purr? Yes. This one did.
I had to take it home with me.

When I got it home and inspected it, I realized that I was looking at a beautifully cared for 222k. I did call him back & tell him it was worth more, but he didn't care. He just wanted a good home for it.

Happy dance!