http://sewing-machines.blogspot.com/2010/01/sometimes-you-gotta-let-go.html
In his blog in 2010, he reposted "The Phases of Sewing Machine Collecting" that he mentioned he'd written around 2000, when he was at Phase 3. It was accurate in many respects and humorous, although I didn't have the wild dream of retiring in luxury after selling my collection to a museum. I was probably nearing the end of Phase 3 when I came across Ed's list, since friends knew of my affliction. Between them and the local thrift stores, I was amassing a great empire in a hurry.
Alas, times change. I have achieved Phase 7, and have started to "dispose of [my] space-hogging old sewing machines". In other words, craigslist was my friend.
Granted, there are not many folks out there that would pay money to spend the morning driving an hour each way to pick up a load of old sewing machines. But I was patient. All I needed was to find that one person to take on this challenge.
And this morning at roughly 10:30 am I did not mourn the mass exodus of 42 of my sewing machines. Not even a little (but that may very well possibly be because I still have too many sewing machines in the basement). The 42 machines went to someone who showed a passion for sewing machines, which was nice to see. And now I have a large part of my basement back. It's a win-win situation.
Here's what 42 sewing machines look like in the back of a shortbed pickup truck. Quite a nice fit. Imagine how many they could have gotten in a longbed...
Someday I may get to Mr. Lamoureux's Phase 8: "You pare down to just three vintage machines you can't bear to part with - a Featherweight and two others.", but don't know if I'll ever make it to Phase 9: "You go to the local Sew & Vac and buy a brand new $3000 plastic computerized machine so you can enjoy one-step buttonholes, three alphabets, and 9mm zig zag."
I may just stick with my old Singer 111W155 needle-feed walking foot as the one machine to hang on to...
- Brother 181
- Brother VX1020
- Brother LS1717
- Brother Charger 661
- Glaco Select-O-Stitch
- Home Mark 400
- Kenmore 148.12201
- Kenmore 148.200
- Kenmore 158.17520
- Kenmore 158.1040 (3/4 size)
- Kenmore 1101
- Kenmore 158.17560
- Kenmore 117.959
- Kenmore 158.13511 12 stitch
- Kenmore 158.18024
- Kenmore 385.1233180 4 stitch
- Keystone
- Montgomery Ward J1269
- Necchi Alco - Japan
- New Home model NHR
- New Home Memory Craft 6000 electronic
- Pfaff Hobby 721
- Royal - Japan
- Simplicity
- Singer 237
- Singer 257
- Singer 360
- Singer 417
- Singer 418
- Singer 533
- Singer 543
- Singer 603
- Singer 604
- Singer 626
- Singer 630
- Singer 648
- Singer 750
- Singer 758 with cams, accessories
- Singer 900
- Singer 920
- Singer 4314 "So-Fro"
- White Rotary
10 comments:
Ohhhh, it was you! I saw the local Craigslist post. I wanted the Kenmore 3/4 machine but there was no way I could take all 42. Glad you found a happy buyer.
Wow, you did have/still have a bad case! I wonder what phase I'm at.....
This is so funny- I still love that post on Ed's blog, and could see myself heading in the same direction! I am in the 70+ range now, and have seriously slowed down additions to the herd. But as a matter of fact I recently acquired several of Ed's machines as he is happily pursuing retirement and we live in the same state (I was one of his local Etsy customers). Because of my own space constraints (no basement, no second floor, no garage, no nada) I would like to get down to about half of what I have now, just as a start. I can see that being further cut down to no more than a couple dozen in the near future. Then, who knows? Very glad you were able to pass these along to a fellow enthusiast in one of the earlier stages of Sewing Machine Addiction...
Yeah, it was me. The 3/4 Kenmore didn't take up that much room, but thinking like that got me to where I was. It had to stop. :)
Yes I've still got it bad, but I can admit it. Doesn't that count for something?
When I first read Ed's Phases blog, I was into dumpster diving at the local St Vincent store to rescue old machines. The best score was a Viking 21 lying dejectedly in amongst the scrap metal. Naturally I had to rescue it (and several others at different times). Then imagine my coming across Ed's post that mentioned he was taking a van load of machines to the landfill. Horror! But I can look back now and be glad I didn't live close to him like you do. I did almost purchase the Featherweight advertised on Ed's Etsy page a few months ago, but the shipping was too much. I always enjoyed reading Ed's blog. Maybe he'll resume someday.
I wondered if that ad was yours. I remember reading Ed's post a long while back thinking "That'll never be me." I have over 100 in my basement and about 25 in other rooms and I'm rescuing another today. (The word 'rescue' is a big red flag.) But I'm beginning to see the light and I'm getting rid of some of the same models on your list. I'm at the one-at-a-time stage but it's early.
OMG I would have heart failure if I saw a 21 in a dumpster. Still don't have mine up to speed but it will get its time soon. I'm kinda holding out hope that Ed will still post from time to time. He has been a great resource, but I'm glad to see your blog and many others continuing to revive interest in these vintage machines.
I never in my wildest imagination would have thought my stash would grow to so many. It sounds like you're about where I was, count-wise. I don't know whether to be happy for you or give condolences. :) It is a fun pastime though.
Yes, I thought it was quite the rare find, that Viking. I also hope Ed starts up again. Lots of knowledge and I'm sure many stories he could write about.
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