It was simply amazing to bring our collections together for our Show and Sale! To have that many machines on display at once was quite impressive.
Would I do it again? My aching back says no, but it was a real pleasure to hear the comments from those who stopped by to look, ask questions and buy.
I'm not sure if something like this is often done. I know I've never been to a "Garage sale" that was anything like this. We had thirty machines on display. All of them vintage beauties. We sold a few, and now, the rest are heading back to our standby market place, our local Craigslist.
Still much to do: find that spool pin for Diane's Colanda so as to finalize a trade she'd like to make; marry the accessories hidden away in boxes and bags with their respective machines; fine-tune a couple of those machines that were a bit troublesome; and, finally, find a place to store all of this!
Great day with great people having a wonderful time with what we love most.
Now... on to new challenges (and more machines)!
Chandsew 406RB
Size Matters
Singer 153W103 Industrial
Singer 316G
Singer 301
A design revolution for Singer, this light-weight portable is a favorite with quilters. This example dates from 1951, but, interestingly, isn't badged as an anniversary model.
Singer 221- Featherweight
In remarkable condition. This one dates from 1956.
Singer 500A
Reassembled and polished.
Singer 401A
Singer 503A
I've had a number of examples from the 400 and 500 series pass through my hands now, and as testament to their quality, they have all been in very nice condition; none, however, has matched this beauty for its near pristine state of preservation. While even on the cleanest example one must forgive a minor imperfection or two, this classic from Singer exhibits none! Truly as nice as one could hope.
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Thursday, August 18, 2011
Impending room!
It's difficult to contemplate just what a successful sale of my sewing machines would be. The more sold (if any sell at all), the more of my favorites gone. There will be holes in my collection that will need filling, and I'm not sure what I'd be looking for to fill the void.
I think that, as working on these machines has become a pleasant hobby, I'll look for SMs that I find fun to work on. This would include the Singer line from the 301 (and Featherweight) through the 400 and 500 series (slant-o-matics). These are those machines that I believe I best know.
I'll bid a fond fair well to those that find new homes, and there will be some satisfaction that I've given them new life and a chance at another fifty years (or so) of practical use.
And I'll certainly have in return, for those that leave the nest, something I treasure almost as much: room! Room for more sewing machines, to be sure, but room for other interests and hobbies. My "office" has become a tangle of cords, cables and cabinets. Sewing machines litter the floor. Something has to give!
And so, this sale is a giving away of something important to me. I'll have shared the fruits of my labor and what talent I have for fixing things. In doing so, new friends will be met and new worlds opened for those just beginning their journey of home-crafted creativity – and of their appreciation of these classic treasures.
I think that, as working on these machines has become a pleasant hobby, I'll look for SMs that I find fun to work on. This would include the Singer line from the 301 (and Featherweight) through the 400 and 500 series (slant-o-matics). These are those machines that I believe I best know.
I'll bid a fond fair well to those that find new homes, and there will be some satisfaction that I've given them new life and a chance at another fifty years (or so) of practical use.
And I'll certainly have in return, for those that leave the nest, something I treasure almost as much: room! Room for more sewing machines, to be sure, but room for other interests and hobbies. My "office" has become a tangle of cords, cables and cabinets. Sewing machines litter the floor. Something has to give!
And so, this sale is a giving away of something important to me. I'll have shared the fruits of my labor and what talent I have for fixing things. In doing so, new friends will be met and new worlds opened for those just beginning their journey of home-crafted creativity – and of their appreciation of these classic treasures.
Sunday, August 7, 2011
A "yard sale" like no other!
What better way to share our interest in vintage sewing machines than by hosting a "yard sale" (and show) featuring some of the best known makes and models from around the world?
Classic, vintage machines from USA, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Japan and Great Britain, including Singer, White, Necchi, Bernina, Elna, Pfaff, Juki, Morse, Brother and more!
Two collectors will be reducing their inventory, while at the same time sharing a few of their "gems" at this show and sale presented in the way of your typical yard, or garage sale... but with a difference: this will be dedicated exclusively to vintage sewing machines!
Save the date: Saturday, August 20th, 2011 in San Mateo, CA.
What is an Elna "Grasshopper"? Just how does a Necchi Wonder Wheel work? What was Brother turning out in the sixties? Why are Singer Featherweights so popular with collectors?
Have you always wanted to try a Bernina 830? How much does a Pfaff 130 weigh? (a lot).
Enjoy an afternoon with like-minded enthusiasts, looking, trying, learning – maybe heading home with the sewing machine of your dreams!
Do you have a vintage sewing machine gathering dust in your attic? Bring it along to find out just what you have, and just what would it take to bring it back to life.
Stay tuned for more details...
Classic, vintage machines from USA, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Japan and Great Britain, including Singer, White, Necchi, Bernina, Elna, Pfaff, Juki, Morse, Brother and more!
Two collectors will be reducing their inventory, while at the same time sharing a few of their "gems" at this show and sale presented in the way of your typical yard, or garage sale... but with a difference: this will be dedicated exclusively to vintage sewing machines!
Save the date: Saturday, August 20th, 2011 in San Mateo, CA.
What is an Elna "Grasshopper"? Just how does a Necchi Wonder Wheel work? What was Brother turning out in the sixties? Why are Singer Featherweights so popular with collectors?
Have you always wanted to try a Bernina 830? How much does a Pfaff 130 weigh? (a lot).
Enjoy an afternoon with like-minded enthusiasts, looking, trying, learning – maybe heading home with the sewing machine of your dreams!
Do you have a vintage sewing machine gathering dust in your attic? Bring it along to find out just what you have, and just what would it take to bring it back to life.
Stay tuned for more details...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)