*sniffle* I knew the day would come when I placed the ad, but...
 

My herd has thinned a little.

Today I watched as Midge (1950 FW) left the house without me.
It's so stupid, but I was a little misty eyed.

She went to a good home though. A nice lady north of us who wants something to travel with, has started quilting, and used to have a FW a number of years ago.

The lady knows her name and said she'd let her keep it.

I simply can't exercise all of the machines I have, and she needed to be used. I know she will be used where she went. I have to remember that. Why is it so hard to part with the little things?

I feel your pain! Looks like you have a few left. It will be okay!

Colleen

Midge went to a good home and she will get the exercise she needs to keep her working at peak condition.:)

Some things are harder to let go than others - - -

I sent two machines on their way about two months ago - - -

LOL! I still have too many left,... but the FW herd seems so small now. I can only use one at a time, but it was so sad to see her leave.

I think deep down I had some sort of timer set. If she didn't sell by X time, I was going to just keep her. I turned down other homes for her too. It's almost as bad as placing a pet!

I keep repeating that to myself. She'll get worked out, and stay slim and svelte....

The weird part is, I was happy to see the 403A go to a new home, same reason. I wasn't using it enough, I had the 401A (and now the 411G), and I found a new sewer who wants to do all sorts of things, and she's a "gung ho" person who gets right into things. Perfect match. It went to a good home, and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Little Midge went to a good home, and I still feel a little sad, like there's an empty spot in the house, not just the sewing room.

think of her as a child who will have new adventures and when 'she' sews a quilt for a show ...go and admire the award ribbon.

I have had my Pfaff only a year, I can't imagine ever parting with her, haven't named her though...I take good care of her and hope she is around a long long long time. She is my one and only...

I let one of my Featherweights go a week ago and sure feel your pain. Our church quilting ministry was started many years ago by the most wonderful lady. She's in her early 80s and just precious to me. We were donated the use of a new building, so for the dedication ceremony, they wanted to honor Ina for all her work. To date, we have made well over 1000 quilts. So......I had taken different featherweights to sew with me on several occasions and she always had admired them. When they talked about giving her a gift, I volunteered my 1947 one for them to buy from me. I really wanted her to have it, but it was sooooooo hard actually letting it go. It was my very first one. <sigh> I know I did the right thing because she was thrilled to death. She even said she hadn't been able to sew much because her machines were so heavy and she'd just about given it up. She talks about sewing all winter long now, which makes my heart smile. (even though I still miss my FW!) I have 4 more.

Yes,.. I like this. I do know that Midge will have now joined a quilting guild. So she will be oohed and ahhhhed when she shows up there. :)

I've had an email from the lady who took Midge home. They're bonding.

Midge was named for one of the Archie Comics characters. I had Betty the 27, first, and then Ronnie (Veronica - the first FW), and it just followed from there.

I wonder if my attachment to her has to do with the fact that she's the first machine I consciously chose to "collect". She is actually the first machine I bought, besides Betty who'd originally been bought as "furniture".

That's such a wonderful thing you did!! The fact alone that she was going to give up sewing and doesn't have to now is so great!!

I will also tell DH that it's OK for me to have more FW if they show up, and use your post as an example. :)

I sold a 301 and an Elna Supermatic last summer and I still miss the 301. The woman who bought the Elna was so funny and cute that I know it's a good home. Besides, I found some more cams and selling them on eBay is helping my Christmas shopping $$$ budget.

The great part is that I know people here understand why I feel like I do. DH does too, he thought I would regret it if I sold Midge. If I told any of my friends, they'd think I was a nut. ;)

I don't think it's regret as much as just a sad to see her go. I know she'll see more action where she is. Here she had to fight with too many machines for time with me.

Back when I joined the board I mentioned that I liked the chase, and the rehab, probably more than the sewing side of things. Sort of a catch and release, if only I could master the release part. Maybe this is just a step towards that goal.

Midge's adoption fee will help with the Christmas fund too.

I'm all over catch & release, too. I'm liking the Phoenix a bit too much - help....

I feel your pain! I sold my 115 with gingerbread decals and regret it, even though I didn't have a treadle for her and she was not being used. But I know she went to a good home because a fellow quilt board member bought her!
Yes, we do understand here on the board. My DH thinks I am nuts because I name my machines...

Nope, no help for you, not for that. We're enablers, remember? :)

That's always good to have happen. At least you know where she's gone, and she's being taken care of. I haven't seen those gingerbread decals on person, but I know where there is one, DH says it's in incredible shape, he just as to take me to go see it. It's one of my favorite decals.

The 115 I picked up last week is just a head as well. I put the "spare" handcrank I have on her last night, and will build a box, per the instructions on TreadleOn sometime this winter.

Of course we have to name our machines! When you have more than one of something you can't say "oh! the 99 over there",.. which 99? Now if I said "Jelly Bean", you know exactly which one I'm talking about.