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The Sew What’s New Archive
This archived content is from Mary Wilkins’ sewing and
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From: blackie
Date: 07-31-2006, 04:52 PM (1 of 12)
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I have four sewing machines. FOUR! And that's not counting the serger. Anyway, yesterday on my green Kenny I was trying to sew a knit top. GRRRRRR... Not going well AT ALL. At first I blamed the fabric, but the machine was just doing SO POORLY. So I switched to my portable Kenmore and voila, perfect. It was so frustrating. With four machines (three that I've been getting used to just in the past couple months) I haven't taken the time to learn every little thing about each one. Plus with four machines you have four different troubleshooting trajectories... So yeah, I'm all in a muddle. Now, before anyone JUDGES me on this let me say I plan to get rid of two machines (gift them to friends). I am proud that I got three of them given to me and one for $15 and have spent the time and $$ to tune them up and treat them properly. But right now I can't decide which ones to use! I feel like a polygamist; I love them all, but can't spread the love around enough. Anyone relate to having "too many" tools of the trade? see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: AndreaSews
Date: 07-31-2006, 05:00 PM (2 of 12)
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Well, too many husbands would be something to think about. But I think your equipment management plan is perfectly good. I think sometimes people have trouble remembering that they are "just" tools. There will be no need for kharmic correction. Glad you worked through your knit top and got it right. You could make a list of what each machine is good for, and stick it on the back. Come to think of it, that would be very handy with the husbands....
Andrea
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User: AndreaSews
Member since: 02-18-2005 Total posts: 1007 
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From: DorothyL
Date: 07-31-2006, 06:58 PM (3 of 12)
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I just gave two old sewing machines and a not so old serger to a community center in a lower income neighborhood. The director there teaches the kids (mostly teen girls) to sew. I felt like I was passing on my trash but they were so grateful. I feel that if one person gets a lifetime of pleasure from learning to sew -- well that's just passing it on. I'd just like to say, if you have extras laying around it is well worth the effort to find where they will do the most good, to a friend, to a community center, wherever but not just laying around. Dorothy |
User: DorothyL
Member since: 12-09-2002 Total posts: 3883 |
From: Chrysantha
Date: 07-31-2006, 07:24 PM (4 of 12)
I think one can NEVER have too many toys....and if anyone thinks -I- do, thats too bad. (no kids...-I- get all the goodies...  ).I'd tell ya to keep the ones that YOU like the most or do the most for YOU and get rid of the others. (that way you have room for more  )
Chrys
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User: Chrysantha
Member since: 09-06-2002 Total posts: 2414 
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From: Sewhappie
Date: 07-31-2006, 07:34 PM (5 of 12)
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I have my Sears Janome made computerized machine, my White Kenmore machine that my parents gave me for my 21st B'day (it's set up as a quitling machine), my Sears Janome serger, my Brother embroidery machine, my mothers White Kemore (bought in 1963 and needs some minor work and a cabinet to sit in), and a small two speed travel machine (they can only get the high speed to work on it). I think you are just fine with all your machines. Why should we give up all our toys if the guys don't!!!!!!! Plus I'm trying to get my sister to let me have her serger that just sits in her basement and neve gets used. |
User: Sewhappie
Member since: 10-27-2001 Total posts: 1427 |
From: Roy
Date: 07-31-2006, 09:59 PM (6 of 12)
I laughed when I read AndreaSews comment about listing what each machine is good for - and that might be good for husbands as well  Back in the 30's when I was a little mischief maker my Grandma would sometimes give me a nickel if I was good. One day when she was scolding me I responded 'give me a nickel and I'll be good.' She retorted, 'Why don't you be like your old man and be good for nothing.' And he wore no sign on his back
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User: Roy
Member since: 04-28-2006 Total posts: 25 |
From: lamx
Date: 08-01-2006, 07:50 AM (7 of 12)
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I think Andrea's proposal of having multiple husbands and making each one wear a sign is probably illegal in most states, I would suggest she consult an attorney before proceeding with that plan. She could possibly get away with the polygamy in Utah, but forcing all her husbands to wear signs is downright inhumane! Unlike spouses, sewing machines take little in the way of upkeep and you can amass as many as your budget and storage space allow. Last time I counted, I had in the neighborhood of 80 of the things. I have industrial machines for the heavy sewing, family machines for the light tasks, sergers for seam finishing, embroidery machines for monogramming, and Featherweights to laugh at. Each one has its strong points and weak ones. When one doesn't work the way I want it to, I either sell it for cash to buy another one or strip all the useable parts off it and toss the carcass in the sinkhole in the back yard. With this constant weeding out, I should eventually have only machines that I like. If I tried that with wives, I would possibly be criticized. Ed |
User: lamx
Member since: 05-04-2006 Total posts: 44 |
From: stephi
Date: 08-01-2006, 08:25 AM (8 of 12)
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Why dont you commit to making the same project on each machine (like the preemie outfits in that other post) then you can truly figure out what you like and dont like about each machine. I am guessing you will have different problems with each machine and what ever one you decide was the least of the evils....YOu would have your answer!! Just a thought, I wont charge you the normal fee of two cents, LOL!!
Stephi
"No body knows what it is that I do until I dont do it" "if you do what you have always done you will get what you have always gotten" |
User: stephi
Member since: 03-17-2006 Total posts: 361 
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From: Bekka
Date: 08-01-2006, 12:30 PM (9 of 12)
I use to have a studio, in storage there are 10 different industrial machines plus cutter. I use my home machines (2) right now and miss the industrials very very much. By the end of next month I'll have 2 of the industrials in my sewing room at home  . I have a binder for each machine with examples of sewing with different materials listed so there was very little guess work when a new contract came in. I have done the same with my home machines as well. It's a great help after being away from the machine for any period of time. By the way, I'm new to this group and am looking forward to getting to know you all.
Bekka
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User: Bekka
Member since: 07-28-2006 Total posts: 79 |
From: blackie
Date: 08-01-2006, 06:12 PM (10 of 12)
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I think Andrea's proposal of having multiple husbands and making each one wear a sign is probably illegal in most states, I would suggest she consult an attorney before proceeding with that plan. By the way (as the originator of the polygamist humor on this thread), if it came down to it I would actually prefer more WIVES, not more husbands. Just think of how clean our house would be and how much female company I'd enjoy! I can't believe some of the "hoarders" on this site! It makes my four machines look tame. Oh well, it's a victimless "crime" (except sometimes the hoarders themselves are the victims of their own stuff!). I worry about gifting my machine to someone who just greedily wants something for free - KWIM? I'd like my machines to go to a good home and someone who'd love them. Anyway, no matter where they end up I'm sure I can "release the outcome" and just be happy I serviced and repaired them and took care of them while they were with me. see the mundane life of a housewife.
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User: blackie
Member since: 03-31-2004 Total posts: 594 |
From: Mom of Six
Date: 08-01-2006, 09:44 PM (11 of 12)
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I sold 4 machines in garage sales last yr. sometimes I miss them. 1 was an OLD singer in a nice cabinet when I got it I was in high school It was my first machine. My Grandpa bought it for me at an auction. It had been in storage for yrs, I din't have a place for it in my house & the finish on the cabinet was getting bad. I sold it to save it. The other 3 I got at auctions for my kids. I bought 2 new ones for DDs on sale at Christmas time. They are basic singers I paid less than $100 ea with cases It would have cost me at least that much to have the others cleaned & serviced. I ended up buying myself a professional singer on clearance with the money I made. I now have 2 sewing machines & 1 serger. I used to think I wated an embroidery machine but have decided it would cost too much to get all the extras I would want. Maybe someday if my kids move out I may want more but right now there is no more room.
Barb
Happiness is having time to sew!! |
User: Mom of Six
Member since: 11-03-2001 Total posts: 1115 
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From: bridesmom
Date: 08-06-2006, 07:16 PM (12 of 12)
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DH keeps making comments about how many machines I have ( 6 at the moment). I'd gladly give up 3 for a new one that embroiders and quilts and sews, but he just laughs. I think I'll remind him that he has at least 4 drills, not including the big drill press AND 2 welders! My income tax return this coming year is going for a new machine - or maybe a laptop for my embroidery/sewing stuff. Decisions, decisions!
Laura
Tickled pink with my Innovis 4000D |
User: bridesmom
Member since: 01-21-2004 Total posts: 2026 |
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