Creative Chris

Cute! :thumbup:

Charlee

I currently have 13 machines...and I use all of them except my Wheeler & Wilson #8, circa 1876-1880...I don't use that one for fear of damaging the decals on it. In my defense, I just took 6 machines to the Goodwill that I know I won't fix or use...someone else might tho, and I'd want them to have them! :) They were machines that came to me in various ways, but I didn't buy any of them.

They look really neat, and it's kind of fun to decide which one I'm going to use for which project.

Quiltgranny

Well, I currently own five sewing machines. I only had one at a time for the first 35 years of sewing. Now that I've expanded to quilting in the last several years, I have formed an appreciation for a variety of machines and am learning their strengths and weaknesses for the type of sewing/quilting that I do.

Like someone else here mentioned, I haven't spent much on my 5 machines because I've shopped for the deals and/or was fortunate enough to have them land in my lap.

I have these machines:

Bernina 730 Record - 60's vintage, mechanical, sews ANYTHING, like a tank. Easy to maintain. Had it since 94.

Bernina 1090- 90's vintage, is electronic and has a variety of stitches. My everyday machine. Has an excellent stitch. Not too much to maintain. Had since 08.

Singer 201k treadle - 50's vintage, recent acquisition, need to learn to treadle. Hear it is good for those of us with MS. Easy to maintain.

Singer 301A slant needle - mechanical 50's vintage, STRONG machine, excellent stitch, easy to maintain. Recent purchase.

Baby Lock Decorator's Choice - purchased new several years ago. Has many, many different stitches, is electronic so can be fussy and is expensive to maintain.

I like to be able to have a couple of machines set up to do different things as some have mentioned here. Some are better at binding, piecing, quilting, etc. The Singer 301A is light enough and portable to take to classes with me. It is the big sister to the Featherweight, much less expensive and a stronger and more capable machine.

I guess as time goes on, and we try different machines and/or hear others speak about them, we have the desire to own a variety of them for ourselves. It's not just about collecting them, as they are all useful in their own ways; I think it's more about appreciating and celebrating their differences and beauty. Each machine becomes an extension of ourselves, our creativity and personality. We all buy different fabrics, don't we? Solids are nice, but when we add prints or novelties, or work with batiks and different colors our creativity soars. :D

tomilu

It's call Old Sewing Machine Syndrome. OSMS No known cure. I don't want to count mine. I don't use them all. Some are here for repairs, some are for sale and some not. Some are for giving away. I use different ones at different times. I have some modern, a longarm, treadles, handcranks, portable electrics and parts.

Tommie

mariebaker

the vintage machines are becoming more scarce and I think that if you are a lover of sewing and the whole process and community, having some of the older machines is a way of preserving & (and w/ most of them)using pieces of our history.
I, too, have more than one, but use 2 trusty stand-bys and only others when my main ones are getting serviced.
After the reading the thread the other day, I will probably sell the ones that I don't use in hopes that others will use them more-

Kehoeta

My husband swears that I have way too many sewing machines and what could I possible do with all of them. So let me explain... I have three machines. This week - I was sewing on a quilt I need for a fundraiser with the oldest machine when.... Broken needle... There was a malfunction with the part of the machine that holds the needle. No sweat. Just pull out Machine #2, oops, tension issues, and now the machine is making a chugging noise... Pull out machine #3, finish the quilt and get #'s 1 and 2 to the mechanic.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Stitchit123

I only have 6 now== 2 Singers under 10yrs one is needing a new motor-2 Vintage Singers -1 1956 Brother and my Singer Treadle They all have some thing the other machines don't But my treadle is still my favorite She can go through anything no matter how thick and I can quilt a whole Queen size quilt on her better than on the others,and I learned to sew on a treadle so for me my Treadle wins hands down every time But I am saving for a mid-arm and the brain cells to use it :lol: Even with the 2 newer machines I've spent less than $350 total and I always keep my eyes open for good deals on the Vintage Ladies. :thumbup: :thumbup:

Central Ohio Quilter

I have a Singer Stylist that my mom and dad gave me for graduation from high school - 42 years ago. That is my main machine.

I also have my mom's Singer 301 that I got custody of when she went into a nursing home. I love using that, especially for quilts for family. I can say that quilt was made with "grandma's sewing machine", and it gives a little extra special quality to it.

I also have an old machine that I just got a couple months ago at Goodwill. I paid only about $15 for it and it just looks really cool. It needs to be cleaned up before I use it, but I am always too busy sewing to get to it.

I sometimes think that I would like to get a fancy new computerized machine. But I do just fine with what I have.

Meme2six

I have a Kenmore that is about 35 years old and is good for jeans, etc; my mother's treadle machine that I don't use but wouldn't part with; an inexpensive Kenmore to take to class and quilting retreat; and another Kenmore that's about 23 years old that I use daily. Oh, and one serger.

Robinlee

I have my first machine Viking 180, I out grew it, but I use it as my back when I send my Phaff 7570 to the shop for maintance, I also own 2 serger's (I do alot of sewing of clothes for self and others - mostly grandbabies now.) they both are Huskavarna 534's. Had the first one brand new since 1987 and just purchased the other one from ebay a few years ago - mainly a back-up. I also have 2 very pretty antique "Singer" in there cabinets, both work.