I have four or five Kenmore machines here now and one at Miriams house in Indy waiting to be picked up. I've found the late 60s and 70s vintage ones are much quieter and run better than the same vintage Singer 338, 413, 518 and 538 we have.

Besides, a cabinet machine doesn't really take up that much space. It's only when you get a dozen of them that you run out of room ... fast.

Joe

Joe, if I had gotten down on the floor I'd of had 2 Chihuahuas, 1 Jack Russell, and 2 cats walking on me. They'd all think I was down on the floor for them! I can picture you on the floor with the cat walking on you!

You know, I think we all have learned so much about sewing machines since joining this group. I have 3 plastic wonder machines. Like Sharon, I have one because of the 16" throat. I also have a modern very expensive embroidery machine that I do not use to sew with because everytime I have tried to use it for everyday sewing I end up messing it up and it costs me $500 to get it fixed! I use that machine for embroidery only.

I was like most people, I wanted something modern! I didn't want an 'old' machine when I was younger! Now, I have close to 60 antique and vintage machines that I use all the time - mostly treadling! I think we all live and learn about quality. I love the vintage machines, but I love sewing machines period - even the newer throw away ones, although, I don't buy them anymore. I have one Janome I do use to take to classes occassionally, although, I usually use a FW or 301 in classes.

My husband is like you. He could easily live in 1912, but I do like the modern things of today, although, not so much the poor quality of most of our stuff. My DH can't stand it that a frig, washer, etc., are only suppose to last 5 years today. When we were kids our folk's frig lasted 30 years! It is a throw away world. I am just thankful that there are so many of us that appreciate the vintage machines! The problem now is that to get really good quality anything, you have to pay through your teeth - which most of us can't afford. Sad.

Nancy

He said ''time flees'' (flies).

Time Flies ............... boy does it.

Yesterday on some TV show a lawyer was asking someone what they did on their 18th birthday.

I tried to remember what I did on that birthday. I cannot remember, it was too long ago. :(

Joe

Joe I remember where I was on my 18th birthday. I was a welder building under ground fuel storage tanks for aviation fuel at the Naval Air base in Beeville, Tx. The base as long been closed and now is a prison. Time does fly!
Skip

Wow! They did??
Sandy

I just looked at our BIG microwave. It's a Whirlpool made September 1993. It will be 20 years old this coming year. We use it every day and all we've done with it is replace a fuse. Like yours we can put a 9x13" casserole in it with room to spare.

I wouldn't want to spend the money to replace this one. I think I'd do without first.

Joe

There is nothing out there that is made to last. There is almost nothing being manufactured in this country anymore. If these items were manufactured in this country with the high cost of wages, we would not be able to afford to purchase them. I would like to go back in time to where there was pride in what this country turned out.

Went shopping today to buy a replacement doggie door. They "new & improved" them by tweaking the size just a smidge...i had purchased a replacement flap that did not fit the original frame from 20 years ago...first. Dog door I found was all plastic for $55. One frigid winter ought to trash that thang. Label said "economical" choice..."moderate use" huh???? Tell that to the dogz!

Found an all aluminum frame at the next store..$114.00...SOLD! The clerk remarked "expensive" i replied " worth every penny".hopefully they wont mess with the specs on this one for a while. Always need to replace the flaps only every few years.

S

Well, Joe, it's like this....
I have a house that dreams of expanding to 1,000 square feet from it's actual 800 square feet. Every inch is used to the best advantage. I have ten machines in cabinets in the house and more machines that go into my main sewing table as needed. About 30 machines in all, mostly vintage or antique. I use all of them. I have not purchased a machine since I got forced into an early retirement by the economy three years ago. But I am given machines for two reasons: 1) I make quilts for homeless families - have given 413 so far with more on the way - and people think of me when they have a machine to give away. People sometimes sew with me, and I've discovered that they expect me to provide the machine and all supplies. 2) I am a certified sewing machine mechanic and people give me machines when they can't get them to work. I often pass on machines, for free, to those who need them after I fix them.

This house just doesn't seem to want to grow with my collection, so the collection has to shrink.

Hmmmm, I do know what you mean about the small house. We measured the top of our house one time, 20x30 feet and did a rough calculation. It comes to what .... 600 sq ft? Our basement is the same dimensions so on paper that gives us 1200 sq ft. But that is totally inaccurate because there is the internal walls, and other obstructions. Stairwell, closets, etc. I figure, SWAG really, that we might have 700 or 800 sq ft useable space.
In that we have all our sewing machines (40+), fabric, other stuff, clothing, etcs. We can't move one thing without having to move another.

So, since you are a certified sewing machine mechanic I just might bug you with a question or two in a day or so if you don't mind.

Joe

my mother mostly shopped Sears and Wards for everything for the house. When Wards closed I was glad she was not around to see it. Sears doesn't even carry clocks now, decorative or alarm. I guess everyone has raido clocks or thier trusty cell phones to get the time. I have a wall clock in every room. casll me old fashion or too stuborn to move whole-heartedly into the new tech world.

Was that the undergarment section?

I have a clock in every room to. The are all from 1800 to 1890 and have to be round every week and some need daily winding. These old clocks are build like the vintage machines they just go forever with just a little oil.
Skip

It was actually page 602. Here's the picture. http://www.snopes.com/business/hidden/sears.asp & the explanation.