You might have collected too many machines if...
 

You are excited to obtain a specific machine only to find that you already have one, exactly like it, and you even took the time to convert it to hand crank. Yep. I now own THREE Singer 66's and none of them are Red-Eyes. They range in age from 110 to 62. Admittedly, my DH has yet to figure this out.

Humble pie is what's for dinner tonight. :o

How about the rest of you?

You might have too many sewing machines if the kids are asking you if you need an intervention.

Those words, came from my sister! :-)

I've never done that....yet.....but I did come across a machine when we moved that I didn't know I had, not sure when I purchased it, not sure why I purchased it because I didn't really need it, it's a Janome 2012 computerized machine, in pink, I'm not a fan of pink (I taught sewing for 8 years, I'm sure I bought it for my classroom but I don't remember anyone ever using it). I'm a snowbird so I'm taking it to AZ. I have a mechanical there now, it will be nice to have a machine with some additional features.

I have maybe 6 or 7 Singer 66s. 3 are treadles, 4 e-machines, none are HC machines. With the way machines come and go around here I need a score card to remember what I have. Soooooo ......... I don't worry about it.

Joe

Maybe I'm not a real collector: I stopped buying 66s when I tried out a 201. Still haven't used a domestic machine that's stronger or has a better stitch and I doubt that one will ever be made.
I feel lucky to be one of the relatively few who appreciate the true value of these machines. Can any of us believe that such high quality machines can be purchased for almost nothing just because they're old??

:D:D I must not have too many machines, yet! I do have 3 vintage 301A but none of them are the same color. :D

Ah... what an issue to have.....:)

I have 4 - 66's. I turned one down the other day.

My DH understands. Thankfully, he embraces my passion for these machines and the quilts I make with them.

Still love my 15 clones the most!

.... When you can't count or remember what machines you got. Or you remember you have that model yet you can't remember if it's a treadle, a HC or electric.

I'm not a collector either. I like machines, I buy them, I fix 'em up and use 'em. I got my first Singer 66 back in 1998 as gift from my late cousin. I just kind of like them.
We do have a 201-2 and it's our straight line big quilt quilter machine.
I find it amazing that "modern folks" will turn their noses up at such a fine machine just because it's an old straight stitch witch will out sew their modern computerized junque.
Oh well, that's more of the oldies for us. :)

Joe

We have one machine in storage that I had forgotten about until last fall.
It's ok to have duplicates. We currently have 2 Singer model 27 s with the pheasant decals. We also have 2 Singer 99s but they're around 30 yrs apart with some changes in between so I'm not sure that counts. My wife thinks I have too many machines but there are still a few more on my want list.
I may have the opportunity to display some at next year's fair in the 4H sewing exhibit. I'm hoping to have a few older ones set up that people can sew with if they want. I'll have to try to get a good variety before then. I'm hoping it works out.
Rodney

That is exactly what my husband wants to happen. Too many of our young folk dismiss machines that are not push button. Our hope is that real machines, with opportunity, will turn the heads of our youth and increase their creativity and love of old machines!!

Our county fair this year had zero treadles or hand cranks. For that matter, the oldest machine was at the most eight. All it takes is engagement. That's my dream...

you might have collected too many machines if you find yourself hiding them...and you live alone with no one but yourself to answer to. sigh...

You might have too many machines..yeah if you've lost count..that's a good one. I would have to check ONE of my lists...there must be 4 66's and as many or more 201's in the hoard waiting.

I'm very pleased to announce that I HAVE NOT yet collected too many machines!!!!!

My DH may not agree with that, but it brings a big smile to my face.

This kind of describes me. I have lost count and I have several of the same model but it is just so hard to pass them up if the price is very reasonable, like under $50, with a manual and accessories. I have bought several and sold several but I still have a sizeable number. Maybe I am a Sewing Machine Hoarder!!!!!

Ahhhh... I so understand. But my husband (I don't live alone) understands, when he looks at his car models. So, it is much the same. He isn't sure how many he has, either...

HA HA! This is sooooooooooo me!. I was cleaning out the garage the other day and "found" a blue 15-90 clone and I just bought a Singer 15-90 a few months ago in a cabinet ($17.00) because I didn't have a 15-90 . . . Oops.

So now that makes 3 FWs, 4 201s, 2 15-90s, 2 99s and a 401A and a 500A. BUT, I still don't have a 66.

So, that's my excuse for the other machines . . . on my quest for a 66, I run into the others and have to take them home.

I do not think of myself a Singer collector but I just now realized:
three 66s
one 99K
one 27
one 128
one toy chainstitch
one 15-90 ? made in China for Singer

I have nearly twice as many Singers as I do any other maker. Like you, I run into them and have to take them home while searching for my favorite Japanese ones. Or, they find me!

You have my 66!

Have you seen this on Sewing Green? I think it's a few years old. You probably already know that Sally Walter manages the 4H listserve for sewing and clothing advisors. http://4h.wsu.edu/clothing/4hGoGreenActivity.pdf

Strictly speaking a clone isn't a Singer model 15. So you were right you didn't have one yet. Now you have the clone and a real 15 to do a side by side comparison on. At $17 you got a bargain. I just don't see Singer 15s go that cheap here.
A 66 and 101 would round out your set of class 66 machines. The 101s don't come up all that often though.
Rodney

Elnan that link didn't work for me.
Rodney

I have to say that I am a collector. I have in my living room alone, 1 Singer Serger, 1 Juki serger, 1 Babylock serger, 1 black 301, 1 beige 301, 1 black 201 in QA cabinet, 1 singer 99k, 1 Spartan 3/4 size, 1 Viking Rose Embroidery machine, 1 singer 243, 1 Treadle, 1 fiddlebase not complete from SteveH, 1 Singer Futura II, 2 Black FW's 1 in a case smaller than the other, 1 Singer can't remember the # in a bag, 1 Singer Sphinx, 1 White in a cabinet. I have more out in the bus, in the construction trailer, upstairs, a German Dressmaker in my closet and at least 3 others in that closet. So what do I do with them??? I play when I have time. Plus I sent my 301 beige to a friend, and also a Singer to another friend, 1 Singer to my mother, 1 Singer to my sister.

Dang, you must have been an hour typing that last post, amyjo. I would be a day and half trying to name all the ones I have scattered all over my house, out in my sewing room, and out in DH's shop, and maybe even out in the big barn out back. I have forgotten. I keep saying, I need to let my son sell some of them on ebay; but hasn't worked yet. I don't have time. Hahahaha.

Rodney, I think I found my 66.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/wvl/atq/4598671128.html

It can't be propane powered, can it?

no. i was trying to be funny

Sorry, I went back to the post and clicked on the link. My computer asked me if I wanted a different URL, so I went with that to get there, don't know why it doesn't accept the whole URL. An alternative is to google "Sally Walter Sewgreen" and it will also come up. In that article there was also a pg. showing a 185J, saying it was easy to convert it to a hand-operated machine.

Thanks elnan! Let's see if this link works.
http://4h.wsu.edu/clothing/4HGoGreenActitivity.pdf
I really like the bean bag idea. It looks like a great project for kids to make and have something to take home with them.
There's also good info on hand crank conversions.
Rodney

When you create a spreadsheet to keep track of what you have, where it was acquired, serial number and year, what you named it, when it was sold, its condition and so forth. You have too many if you can't keep the list up to date.

If you already have 14 mostly Singer and you stop planning to buy 1 more. I want a 201 but from this area rather
than pay shipping .( Maybe I should have bought the one from Steve when I had the chance )
Saw 2 Fw this week but $275 & 350. but I have 2 in north and 2 in south so would still prefer the 201. Anybody in
central Ontario with a 201 to sell ?
Tues paid almost $ 200. for repair/service for computerized emb machine --could buy many vintage for that much but need to get bigger place to live then. Keep 2 set up ready to sew all the time.

The fact that you even need a spreadsheet might be an indicator. But then, there's a big difference between the casual enthusiast like myself and those who actually have a purpose or purposes for their collections. I truly envy those of us here who can set a goal for their collection then stay with it and within the bounds they set for themselves.
My collection habits are more like "Ooohh Shiny!"
Rodney

I guess I belong to the club. I once purchased a Kenmore from a thrift shop, for $20. I hadn't even looked at it, just knew it was a Kenmore. Got it home and realized it was a duplicate of my old standby I had since 1975. But the second one had been sorely neglected. No attachments or cams and had never had the bottom off to be serviced. It was in a cabinet that really didn't fit. After a lot of cleaning and polishing it purrs like my first one does!!! Great old machines.

I think I might have collected too many machines because I'm not exactly sure how many I have anymore. :)

My problem is every time I sell or give away one, I end up buying two more... So I just think about the one that was re-homed and pretend I am paring down my collection.

umm yes, that is me. I have 12 66's(most are parts machines, I tell myself), 3 Singer 15's, a single 201/301/221/222, a Willcox and Gibbs, and 8 japanese badged machines(which are my favorites). Also, two parlor treadles, 3 full treadles, and a storeroom full of tables. Plus a few others lurking around.

I acquired a 101 by accident. I went to buy a cabinet, and they threw the machine in for free. I can see why there aren't many around.