Another empty handed day - the pickins are slim :(
 

Spent the whole morning at thrift stores and garage sales. Not a vintage machine to be found. Lol I am sad! I did find vintage aprons, love them.

I will try to be happy for all of you that had incredible luck today finding that mint condition -by the side of the road - cast off beautiful vintage machine for FREE! Really I will try.

We had a bust day yesterday - except that I finally got to this one quilt shop I'd heard about. Owner is a retired lady and it's hit or miss when she's open.

It's called something like "Quilter's Exchange" and she buys people's stashes by the pound, and resells them at $3 a yard. She's willing to cut no matter what you want, and is very generous. She and DH spent an hour swapping stories while I looked through what was on the shelves. Broke my promise (again) to NOT buy more for my stash and only buy for projects . . . but who can resist $3 a yard quality cotton fabric!

Now I"m waiting for the mail to show up - got some attachments and a knee lever that should be showing up today! Buying on eBay is like having birthdays all the time- presents just come right to the door!

Our mail man thinks I'm a bit off, but he likes the cookies and home pickled veggies I give him so all is good.

Macybaby that quilters exchange sounds awesome!! Helped make your day for sure!!

That happens more often than not to me - much, much searching, and rarely a find. When it does happen, makes it more special.

So sorry, that is usually the way it is here!

Are you looking for a particular Vintage machine? I have several and love them all, but am running out of room.
I have a Singer 404 straight stitcher, beautiful stitches, uncomplicated and easy to use, clean, repair and results are outstanding!
Then, I have a Vintage Singer 6268, made in Italy. Self winding bobbin and it uses the SewWare and also stitches beautifully, it has some decorative stitches. Then there's the SewWare, I have the alphabet, decorative borders and numbers.
My hubby just bought me a Vintage Pfaff and so something has to go...
SIGH... I love them all.
If anyone wants to know about owning vintage machines and wants to ask me something, contact me. I may not know everything, but boy! Have I been through the school of the hard way to learn.... been there, done that! ;)

Dont give up. On Thursday a stranger emailed me at lunch and asked if I wanted to pick up an old singer for free - I have a 'Dont throw your old machine away ad' on my local CL. When I got to the door his girlfriend handed me a ducked taped green box and said. 'Its just a little one, nobody wants'. I was shaking as I walked to the car and thankfully my DH was driving. I was in shoke holding a white FW on my lap. You just never know what will happen! Good luck.

Be patient! Yours will come. I just found a neglected 301 in tan for $10 at an antique barn in Westfield, NY . I want a long-bed but it will come in time. We drove though PA on Friday from top to bottom and didn't have time to stop at all the junk shops and yard sales we passed. That was hard! I have found three 301's since last September, two in the last two months, so hang in there!

I am green, mom had a white FW and I let her give it to her cleaning lady. Could kick myself now. Had someone tell me the black are better machines, but my heart cries for a white one like mom had, like I need another machine (NOT). Maybe one day, after all they don't take much room after all:p

They are out there... Just be patient... And there are many of them. Learn to be selective.

Thanks Dan - that is excellent advice. I have to learn to be patient, lol.

Where I live in the summer, older people (like me) buy a cabin, set it up to enjoy it during their retirement and then die. Their kids come up to clean up all the stuff and get rid of it. Sometimes it's in the goodwill shops or they have an auction. Younger kids don't want those old machines. They want new shiny machines with gizmos. So, I've gotten a few, have passed up many more than I should have, and keep looking for the specific ones I want. I'm pretty patient, looking for one that won't need too much to get it up and running. I'm hoping things don't change. I would hate to be in a place where I couldn't find any older machines. Besides quilting, it's my passion.

A few weeks ago I went to an Pound store run by Goodwill where everything is weighed per lb as to what it is (glasses-clothes-shoes & etc) where I happened to look up on top shelf an very dirty 301a machine with plugs still for $3. Took it home and cleaned it up thoroughly and to my happiness performs well! wow , now that made my week !

Carol- there are two styles of "white" FW - the older style is identical to the black in style and comes in the same black box. The cord and pedal are often white. The newer white ones have several differences and my husband said the older style are a better made machine (he's worked on both). The new comes in the green case, and has the Red S on the front, and comes with a black cord and foot pedal - late 60's come with the newer style foot pedal too. I've stumbled upon TWO white featherweights in green cases this year - both at antique shops where the seller should have known better. Paid $150 for one and $75 for the second. I am getting to the point I've got to start saying "no" more often. I'm after attachments now - and other neat sewing accessories. Though I'd grab another white FW for prices like that - can always pass them along!

Nwm that was an awesome find!!! Good for you!!

Macybaby thanks for that information on the two styles of feather weights. I love information like that!

Nanna I am with you I'm glad people do not want those old machines!!

oh nooooooooo .... you and I have to go picking up the line! I am telling you... we can pack and lunch and head up to jim thorpe and into coaldale!

nothing like feeding the mailman so he won't tell the neighbors that you're the looney one down the street! Thanks for the tip girl!

Shirley are there good pickins up there?? Lol