They have car shows, why can't we have vintage sewing machine shows?
 

Is there such a thing?? Where vintage sewing machine owners and enthusiasts from all over the country get together, show off their favorite machines??

I WOULD GO!!! Lol. Spend the day looking at everyone's vintage machines, talking to their owners, listening to their stories?? Heck yea I would go!!! Maybe even take classes??? Maybe from some of you right here on this board????? Heck yea I would go!!

There must be such a thing.

Not only could you have classes on how to use them, but you could have classes on how to clean, oil and repair them. Oh and maybe an appraiser like roadshow!! That would be fun!!

Amelia, I would be in seventh heaven honestly I would. I would take every class that I could possibly take. I learn so much better when someone shows me.

Ya know... perhaps have in conjunction with quilting shows.

We could have VENDORS!! For attachments, parts, manuals, replacement cases!!!!!! Etc, etc, etc!!!!!!

Tri-flow could be one of the sponsors!!!!!!

This is a GREAT idea, Vendors, classes on cleaning and restoring. Love this idea.

ISMACS had a get together a few years ago. Not sure what it involved (vendors? auction? seminars?). If your a member, contact them and see if you can help arrange it (I'm sure they would love a volunteer).

ISMACS holds a yearly convention in the UK, we need something here!! Lol

maybe form our own society lol

VSMEOA - Vintage Sewing Machine Enthusiasts of America

Me and my ideas!!! Lol sorry!!

Miriam will need a bus to load her sewing machines!

And Joe?

And Shirley Girley?

Oh, this would be so fun and funny!!!

I would need a semi or have it at my place... tent camping in the back yard... Glenn's place would be another good spot... His all look really good. Mine mostly work.

Doesn't it start as one man's dream and another man's venture?


cherrybsixty

Maybe we could go from one place to another - sort of a progressive show... rent a tour bus...

That might be easier - especially for those that have a gazillion machines.

Have shop hops between sewing machine viewings.

It could be set up as a tour with overnight stays at various lodgings.

It could start as a regional thing.

This could be so wonderful!! I would love to see everyone's machines up close and personal!!

tri-flow should sponsor it, we all use enough of it. :)

so why don't you start one? make it local or regional to begin with...just a day event with local vendors invited to bring their wares....I'm too far away, but would be happy to help with the organization = I've organized a couple of national conferences for a group I'm in. You might also contact the organizers of some of the quilt shows (like Mancuso's) and ask them to include the group on their agenda if you do the planning....

Why not expand the quilt shows for those very reasons? They're always selling machines (LAs) and embroidery machines so why not? I've seen woven baskets sold at quilt shows. So why not everything from the cloth and hand needle on up? They have classes at quilt shows so why not care and maintenance classes with a little history to go with it.

I would be available to do that around here.

i love this idea... Count The Victorian Sweatshop in!

Melinda has a collection of different color machines.
There are MANY different ways to go.
I have at least a dozen Kenmore machines.
I also have a bunch of 3/4 size machines.
Oh I know how about a 15 clone show... LOL
Other old Japanese machines? The car guys go nuts over them.
Godzellas?
Old Singers?
Grant's made over machines?
SteveH's museum?

All that. I'm going camping in a couple weeks. DH is trying to come up with a table we can set up with 3 or 4 HC machines for kids to punch holes in paper. Keep 'em busy and learn to control a sewing machine. If I add thread we will be all tied up... :D:D:D
but I might do thread on one of them for older kids or kids that can pass a test with the paper.
That might also be fun at a show. There is no way I can haul machines AND tables AND camping gear.

lol... lets get it going! You should start a club.... I would hold a chair position with you!

Awesome idea!

Hey, everyone!!! Did you hear that? Miriam is hosting a Sewing Party!!! Wooo hooo! Miriam, when do we come?

:-)

as soon as my shop gets remodeled. LOL Glenn is coming to help out at some point. DH has the wiring going on it and a hefty start on the wall repairs. I'll keep you in the loop.

It sounds like it would be wonderful!

I'd like to join too but because of cabinets I will have to buy a covered trailer to haul them --sure would love to see this grow. I did see 373 machines at the store in Miami Beach area ---A clothing store that had machines on display and I wrote about few yrs ago, Couldn't really get up close and personal but still interesting to me --mostly portables brought over from UK I was told. Very well displayed. Brain on slow gear today to remember store name.

So to do this for real I would think we need to do the following;

1. List existing events which we could be part of.
2. Decide which events to "hook up with" (as it were) so that all regions are represented
3. Finalize schedule and get members to sign up to display.
4. Get support and word of mouth network going through other sites
5. Get together and have too much fun.

I have a co-worker who in on the board of several conventions including the largest in the SF Bay area BayCon. She is fascinated my my obsession, so I am sure I could get her feedback and input. Walk where other have tread a path and all....

We need a repair shop section. That way my 201 MIGHT get put back together. . . and the light on my 15 clone would work.

And, we could bring some of our quilts that were made with the vintage machines.

I could see doing a repair spot. Most of the time it isn't really major. People could bring their problem old ladies...

I think Treadle On (a group that promotes people powered sewing machines) has periodic gatherings. I've seen them mentioned on other sites as TOGA. Their site is treadleon.net ... lots of interesting stuff there.

All Saints. It is impressive. I've been to the Seattle store and took pictures.

ISMACS did hold one here in the US perhaps 4 years ago or so. I'm sure they'd be happy to get another one organized.

Well, I think somebody just needs to start one !

OMG OMG I want to come! All your ideas are great. In reading these posts about vintage machines, there is a great love for them. I have spent hours reading and drooling over the pictures. Wow to think I could see one up close .... I will help. Steve I like number 5 the best

Treadle On is a wonderful group. We have TOGAs=treadle on gathering and academy. They are held all over the USA and other countries. We do bring our machines and we learn lots of things and have a great time meeting with other people powered machine enthusiasts. www.treadleon.net. Join us! I have been a member since 2006, I love sewing with my treadles.
Sharon

I think TOGA's are the answer at this stage.

I thought for about 24 hours that this might be something doable, but one pass through this thread makes it clear why not.

I'm attending the next Gold Country TOGA in September. Handcranks in tow. I will be doing our Victorian Sweatshop show at the Willits Kinetic Carnival the weekend before that with all of the treadles and just will not have the umph to move them all again...

I vote for Miriam's place for the sewing get-to-gether. She is in the midwest, and don't you know that all roads lead to or go through Indianapolis? Or at least they should. And besides, it's close to me! :) (as if where I live counts. ha ha)
And a better reason, Joe and Glenn know how to get there!!!!

It's not hard to find but it sure does need to be organized.... The shop is being remodeled and is a horrible mess. I will be at Heartnut, Janis, come see me - I've been working on setting up 4 derelict machines for kids to hand crank on 3X5 cards or paper bags down there. I put steering wheel spinners on them and DH built frames for them to set in. I have a redeye, a 127, a Franklin and a Vindex Special for kids to try. I need to make a sign that says UNATTENDED CHILDREN WILL BE SOLD TO THE CIRCUS. When I started this morning I figured none of them would actually sew. Now I'm not so sure some do... I haven't tested the others. The Vindex Special gave me the most grief with it's pressure foot not wanting to budge due to dried up oil. I got it though. I need to figure out how to put finger guards on that and the Franklin. DH says maybe we can put a paper clip on there or something. I say or something...