Lei Lani: A rescue
 

Lei Lani was one of my first rescues, she was in the back of the consignment building surrounded by refrigerators and appliances completely hidden from sight along with two treadles. She was in her topless case just plunked down half in half out and very dirty. For some reason my heart went out to her. I had the young men move all of the large appliances and bring her out. They carried her to the front of the store and the manager started searching for a picture or description in the computer to match her because she wasn't tagged, I was walking around still browsing while he was doing that when I spied what I thought was her top over on the other side of the store. It was, and it had her info on it.

I gave it to him and he said she had been there since the store opened two years earlier and should have been gone a long time ago ( like that was her fault!) She was tagged 74.95 and he said the best he could do was half off. I had already made up my mind I didn't care what the price was she was coming home with me. She was very dusty dirty, needed a new belt and new tension assembly and either I have to recover her case or put her in a table.

Yesterday I finished her makeover with the help of Miriam who found a tension assembly for her and mailed it to me and now she is ready for her new forever home. She sews quietly and very nicely, she is easy to use and uncomplicated. As soon as I gave her a test run I knew she wasn't "The One" I am searching for as my go to machine. She does run very nicely though. I feel terrific about saving her!! Wanna see?

Been there, done that. Makes one feel good about the save and the accomplishment, but I'm always looking for the one. So far I always go back to the 201 or 15s. Thought the 403 would be the one, but nothing feels like the heavy black machines. As a matter of fact, with my last "rescue" my wife suggested an intervention. I sort of agree. I may swamp the local CraigsList with all the non-black or clone machines. My industrial walking foot bent and stripped some threads. It will be the first to go upon repair. The 201 or 15 will do everything it will as long as I keep from binding the needle. That was what the walking foot was to protect. It bent instead of protect. Lesson learned.

Great job - she's beautiful!

Thank you Sandra

Ron, I have 20 machines in various states of repair waiting on parts and as the parts come in I get them all ready for their 'evaluation'. That is when it is the most exciting for me except the finding and purchasing of them. Last night I started cleaning a Morse and I have to say the minute I twisted her dials and started fiddling with her my heart gave a little leap. I know what your wife means about intervention, made me laugh. :D My little blue girl weighs a ton and I am going to work on her today.

I am glad someone else understands about "The One" I thought I would just buy some machines and repair them and choose the one I liked best but it turned into something much more personal I guess is the only way to put it and not nearly so simple and so far only one has captured my attention. So we shall see.

The Vogue glows like platinum. I'm glad you rescued her.

Shes a beauty!

Wonderful work and a great story!

Ahhh! What a great rescue.

Loved your rescue story. Beautiful job on that machine.

That machine looks like the finish is hardly touched. Good rescue.

The Morse is also very pretty. I love the teal/aqua machines.

Both nice machines and good job rescuing them.

Good rescue job. So far, "the one" for me has been the 301 although I have another one that I use fro hubby's jeans repairs.

Great machine!!!!!

Thanks everyone. Well, I cleaned up the Morse 300 Deluxe and sewed with her this morning. Alas she is NOT 'The One'. Close but just not quite there. :( But she sews great and very strong. Also fun because the tension assembly is unique.

Both are beautiful machines.

Such a treasured to find a treasure! happy to find a Home and someone that care!

nice looking!

Really classy looking!

Sunflowerzz, based on the Vogue and also another Singer of which you posted photos, I say, you have a real gift for cleaning machines! Very beautiful and detailed cleaning.

Give the blue Morse a bit of a chance. My avatar machine is nearly the same, though mine is more of a Singer clone, with the stitch length lever being in a round plate. It was my first machine, paid about a dollar a pound for him, an he hums like a stiching Gentle Giant. So soothing! Maybe yours is not in mechanically as pristne shape, maybe it is a different company... but I can say, my Great Blue is just aaaamaazzzzing. I could sew mindless lines of nothing just to hear the quiet hummy motor and watch the stitches form, one after perfect another. I think perhaps sometimes, after decades of not being used, the machines need a little bit more running than just cleaning-and-oiling, in order to get their joints moving nicely again... :-)

That is my story. Interesting how this can happen. I would never have guessed the original sewing machine purchase would lead me to this. I now truly understand what an addiction is and how captivating it is.

Thank you.

Yes they are aren't they:thumbup:

:thumbup:

Okay I will, I have several aprons I have to make for Christmas gifts and I want to make some sewing machine covers so I will sew with all of them to see what happens. Right now I am working on a Necchi BU MIRA and she really has my interest..LOL

You would be so proud of me I actually have passed up about a dozen machines over the past few weeks. I am getting very picky. LOL But I am leaving early in the morning to pick up another Necchi about an hour and half from home.

Well! It is a Necchi!:p