Missing my FW
 

Hi everyone,
How do you suggest getting over a case of seller's remorse?
I'm posting this here because I know you all understand about bonding with inanimate objects. :thumbup:
I wanted to buy a Singer 301 but told myself I should sell one of my Featherweights first. I have three Kenmore machines and I had two Featherweights. But I used one Featherweight much more than the other, and I thought it would be fun to have more of a variety of machines. So I decided to sell one Featherweight and use the money to buy a 301.
The lady who bought it was nice, but a little odd. She said when she saw the machine (a 1948) that she thought it would look brand new. She thought I was going to bring fabric and thread and everything so she could try it out (we met at a neutral place). She didn't understand how I could not have the case (bought it that way!). I sort of felt like just walking out and saying I was going to keep the machine. But I told myself it shouldn't sit in the closet, and sold it anyway.
I ended up buying two 301s with the money (long, uninteresting story). But they're not here yet, and my Featherweight is gone, and I miss it. I can't call up the lady who bought it and ask to buy it back, so... what do I do?
Should I buy myself another Featherweight for Christmas? Is there a project I can do on the 301 that I couldn't have done on the Featherweight? Has anyone else ever sold a machine and regretted it?
Suggestions for getting over it?
Ila in Denver

Sorry, I just don't get having multiple same machines.

Yep, go get another one if it will make you feel okay. I get whatever I can.LOL.

That's why I haven't parted with any of my machines. I like them too much.
I actually think you made a good decision. The arrival of your 301s should help you feel better. You may find you like them better. They're not much heavier and they have a far larger working area under the harp. I don't know that it helps but if you put the two machines in front of me and I could only have one I would take the 301 every time.
Rodney

I still have dibs on my BIL's FW. I still get a sick feeling in my stomach when I think about the 2 sewing machines that were set on the curb for the picking. DH said I told him to. I can't imagine my thinking like that. I have a 401 from an estate sale but still doesn't take place of the other ones. DH used the White to reupholster seats in a 74 Nova! It was a workhorse! Need to stop or it'll make me mad at myself. Not sure what you sold it for but if it were in working condition, I'd keep my eyes out for it in some of the thrift shops or maybe you'll see her in or around town and be able to buy it back.

Maybe I should keep my eyes peeled for a 301?

How soon do you get the 301's? It sounds like you made a good choice in the buy sell part. I can understand your uneasiness of letting your Featherweight go to an odd person. Some machines are so dear to us we want to feel they are going to a good home and will be loved and appreciated.

my advise: no looking back. it is what it is. your intentions were good when you sold your FW.

Thanks, everyone! I think my sadness is just about letting it go to someone who might not appreciate it and take care of it. Rodney, it is very helpful to know that you like the 301 better. I'm sure once they get here, I'll feel better.
I love that people on this board get how I feel, though.
Again, thanks to everyone who replied.
Ila

I prefer my 7 301's over my 2 FW's:> I don't think you'll miss it once you have the replacements.

It's a collector thing. They may have different badges, colors, features etc even though the 'same' model. I have 7, 301's for this reason and I use them all.

Totally understand your 'empty nest' syndrome :) however, you got 2 terrific 301s for the price of one :) They are lots of fun to sew with and also very portable - I think it is the only machine (of that era) that Singer put a handle on to carry and it pops in and out of a larger cabinet so easily! They are "gems"!!

Give yourself some time and then when you've saved some more pennies and are ready, you can look for a "special" FW - maybe an earlier year than the one you use or a centennial badged one or a white or tan one - there's always options and the hunt can be fun :)

I just bought my second 301.
Now I have both a short bed and a long bed. I can't say enough about how great they are.
Just wait a bit and you will understand.

I sell stuff all the time. There are some real odd people show up. Some are more memorable than others. There are a couple I regret selling - I just figure another one might come along that I like as well.

Well, I am certainly looking forward to getting them now! I am waiting on a beige (mocha) long bed with a case, and a black long bed with just the pedal. Thanks again, everyone -- I feel much better.

Ila

I have 2 Featherweights and 2 301's. My 301's are in cabinets. and I love sewing on them in there cabinets. I love all of them and I know you will be happy with your 301's. They can be portable or in a cabinet. Great to sew on and I love the slant needle. Enjoy!!

Odd but the Singer 404 is very overlooked. It is a real nice ss machine. Inexpensive, too.

Yep, you're right. I have a 404 that's going to my BFF. Not because I don't like it, it's a good machine. She needs a good ss machine, and I need it gone. Win-win.

Cari

Sounds like the lady wanted to decorate with it not use it!

I totally agree with Rodney, I have both featherweight and a 301(I love my big sister the 301) My fav to take was the 301 over my featherweight (don't ask me why I just liked her better) how ever then came along my Lotus and well She is my all time favorite take to class machine, so light and portable and just a sweetie. Don't get me started on machines I just love to sew.

i wish i have multiple machines like you. i only got one of a kind except for multiple 27's but i sure am getting there.... getting to having multiple machines per model.

I certainly can understand your reticence at selling the FW to someone "odd" like that. But there is a reason it happened--and one of those reasons is that it afforded you two 301s. You will love them--I hope they are nice and clean and sound good, but if they don't suit you in quietness and performance, you can be the one to work on them. You can't do one thing to the new machines of today. I forgot to look where you are from, but if you were lucky enough to find 301s, you can still find FWs if you keep a sharp eye out. Good luck.

Sorry, but I have 7 Featherweights. They were bought when we had the money and they are my favorite machine. I now say I am saving them for my retirement fund. I do all my piecing on a 1955 FW. Love the stitch it does. My DH jokingly says he has named them Monday,Tuesday, Wednesday, etc.

kalamaquilts,
Singer featherweights are nice little machines, sometimes I need more than one. I have 3, a tan,a black and a repainted purple one.
Sharon in TX

Photos needed ~ especially the purple one!

I understand where you're coming from. We are downsizing and every time I sell a machine, I miss it. Am down to 9 left.

My wife's been asking me to sell some of my sewing machines as I am taking over half of our garage and one car sits outside of our house now. She's worried that the paint of the car will fade by sitting outside. Not that it's a newer car (1996) but I think it's just her way of saying 'you've got too much machines!'. I thought I will be able to rehome some but I added quite a few more. I don't even know how much I have. All I know is I've got over 20 machines.

Well, everyone, a quick update -- I am thoroughly and irremediably afflicted with SMAD. I was browing around on the Goodwill site and saw a poor, orphaned little Featherweight, no case, needle doesn't go up and down according to the listing, and it called to me. I don't know exactly how old it is, but it has the chrome-edge hand wheel, a chrome stitch length lever, but a numbered tension dial. I don't know what kind of face plate it has (striated or scroll). I don't even know if it has a bobbin case! But I saw it was $100, put in a bid, walked away to let fate take its course, and... won it! $101.55, which is a lot of money, and I don't know if I'll be able to get it working, but it's going to be an adventure. Can't wait for it to get here.

You never know. I got one of my favorite quilting machines the same way. I watched a Universal clone go unsold for weeks on ShopGoodwill. It was filthy dirty, the light was broken, just an orphan naked machine. I finally took pity on it and won it with a bid of $5.99 +tax. Orphan Annie got a spa treatment, a cute little cabinet for a new home and a new light. She does have one battle scar. What I thought in pics was a stripe of green paint turned out to be what was left of a totally baked on big old green rubber band. I got most of it off, but there's still a skinny green stripe on her front that refuses to budge. She loves to do free motion work.

Cari

The green might come off with tar and bug remover from the car parts store...

I'm going to leave it. It's part of her charm.

Cari