mamagrande

Well we started a group of young ladies to tie comforters and most of them do not know how to sew. We are tying denim comforters for a non-profit and so we have a bin of denim squares to make more tops. The machines that have been donated to the church are missing parts (drop in bobbin cover) and another if frozen.

Anyway I said that i would think about taking my sewing machine to use next Tuesday evening....now I am rethinking it. I think I would rather spend some $ and donate one rather than risk my $500 machine.

My friend said that she is taking in one of hers...she picked this one up at an auction for $35. and I cleaned and oiled it for her. I am feeling selfish. I still have an old Kenmore and a Singer 301 in cabinets.

Jingle

No I would not lend any of my 6 sewing machines.

SuzzyQ

I have (somehow!) acquired a stable of vintage machines that I use to teach 4-Hers to sew. I've had no problem with featherweights, 99s or other old workhorses in the hands of beginning sewists. Boys really like the sewing machines - especially when you also insist they learn to clean and oil them. I, of course, am confident enough in my skills that I can keep them running from most mishaps. And I've also found that older machines are hard for them to muck up; whereas the newer ones can be pulled off time, subject to thread jams etc. Get the donated machines fixed and running and watch for good old (working) Singers and Kenmores and such. You might try to ensure all the machines take the same bobbins or at least have groups of them. And print off the manuals for reference; just do an online search and invest some money in downloadable pdfs. Just keep them simple. And remember to give the machines periodic breaks.

And yes I've let beginners use my machines. They are fancy computerized ones but so far, there have been no problems.

VitaLuna

I wouldn’t loan out my machines. Can you see about getting the donated ones fixed? You could probably also find a used one at the machine repair shop if they’re unable to fix the donated ones for a reasonable cost.

Cari-in-Oly

I would have no problem letting someone use one of my machines in a setting like this.

Cari

ArlaJo

I always told everyone there were three things I would never loan, my husband, my records, and my sewing machine. That was in the 60's and 70's and still holds true today.

Jane Quilter

I have shared my machines teaching young girls. Never had a problem.

zozee

i would lend an older mechanical one but not a computerized one. Especially for denim.

jmoore

That’s a tough question...I have and am happy to loan my machine to someone who knows how to sew and is consciencienous, however I’m not sure about someone who is inexperienced. I guess as long as I would be present to oversee the care and handling of my machine then I would be willing to take one for the team.

QuiltMom2

I sew with a group at church and I've become responsible for donated machine maintenance. (DH has also been known to do a wonderful refinish on cabinets) Love those old mechanical Kenmores except they are heavy.