Leaving behind the sewing machine [Archive]

Gardenarian

12-11-14, 5:42pm

I have rarely used my sewing machine, as I generally prefer to hand sew. The machine has come in handy on occasion, but I've decided not to bring to our new house.
Somehow this feels like a really big step; I'm not sure why.
Does anybody else not have a sewing machine? Is it a problem?

KayLR

12-11-14, 5:51pm

I have a 70's-era machine I received as a newlywed. There have been periods in my life when I didn't touch it for long lengths of time and I wondered why I kept lugging the old boat anchor around. BUT now I've rediscovered my interest in sewing, so I'm glad I didn't pitch it. Especially since I'm familiar and comfortable with it, and today's machines are more complex but more cheaply made.

That's the thing about me---I dabble a lot. Things come and go.

JaneV2.0

12-11-14, 7:28pm

I have four of them, and I rarely sew. I look wistfully at new models...I do plan to resume quilting one day.

Teacher Terry

12-11-14, 7:29pm

I have never felt a need for one. I sew by hand if I need too.

awakenedsoul

12-11-14, 8:00pm

I'm the same way, I rarely sew on my machine. I do a lot of mending and darning. I have a Singer Featherweight that is gorgeous. Actually, I have three vintage sewing machines. I use the other two as pieces of furniture. They're nice cabinets, with the machines hidden inside. I got them for twenty dollars a piece at the Salvation Army. I knit every day. Maybe someday I'll become a seamstress...
It sounds like you won't miss your sewing machine. I do like my Featherweight as a decoration. It's beautiful, and in perfect condition. (Since I never use it!)

razz

12-11-14, 9:57pm

I love tea convenience of a sewing machine when I want it and have lots of fabric that will come to life once I get this house sorted out. I love, love making really pretty placemats for each season and then using simple Corelle dinnerware for every occasion.

rodeosweetheart

12-11-14, 10:00pm

I have a lovely Singer featherweight that I got as a present from my mom when I was 14; that was 44 years ago. Still in use, a wonderful machine.

I also have a Viking that I am kind of intimidated by, replaced another upscale machine, but someday, when I am not working so much, I will spend hours a day sewing.

If you can think of losing your sewing machine without feeling heartbroken, then it is probably okay to get rid of your sewing machine, if that makes sense.

I'd like a white featherweight, to match my ipad. . .

iris lilies

12-11-14, 10:10pm

The only sewing machine I've ever had is a Singer featherweight that folds up into a neat, tidy little carrying case. So OP, if I had this and I were you I would not get rid of it. Love my Featherweight!

But if you've got one of those bigger, fancier, table top models, I might be tempted to be rid of it.

There are 3 projects I had in my head this week about sewing. One is that my little dogs now wear fleece jackets in the house, and I need to make some jackets using as pattern the thing I purchased.

Packy

12-11-14, 10:26pm

I carry around a sewing machine in the trunk of my car, in case I need it.

wren

12-11-14, 10:45pm

I have circa 1965 portable Singer machine still in good condition, which I use mostly for mending and making quilts and other useful stuff. There was a time when I made clothes, but now it costs more to make clothes than to buy, especially secondhand. My old machine can't sew stretchy material, either.

wren

12-11-14, 10:52pm

I carry around a sewing machine in the trunk of my car, in case I need it.

:D Lol. What, a treadle-powered one? Or perhaps you carry a lonnnnng extension cord? We need a picture of that scene.

Packy

12-12-14, 4:12am

:D Lol. What, a treadle-powered one? Or perhaps you carry a lonnnnng extension cord? We need a picture of that scene.As soon as I can, I'll find a portable electric generator to keep in the trunk, too. That way, I'll be able to run the sewing machine right on the spot, any time I need to.

lessisbest

12-12-14, 6:00am

I got rid of my Sears Sewing Machine with a cabinet, purchased in 1978, our last move almost 9 years ago. It represented a lot of midnight oil on sewing projects..... At one time I made most of the clothes my daughter and I wore. I always made p.j.s for the whole family (hubby, daughter and son, as well as myself). Did all our window treatments, crafts, and a lot of other household sewing. I replaced it a few years ago with a "Toys R Us" tiny portable model. There were just some mending repairs that were best done with a machine. Then I made 10 Wonder Ovens one summer as Christmas Gifts (http://thermalcooker.wordpress.com/category/wonder-box/).

ctg492

12-12-14, 7:01am

I have had few now that I thought about it after reading this posting. Got a junky one, gone now. Then I got a lovely 1950 Singer, but moving too many times and no interest it is gone sadly. Then I bought a cheap one 6 years ago and was going to town to sew! So after a couple projects I bought a Janome nice machine. Mom passed and I got her lovely Singer cabinet model she bought new in 1950. It is so nice.
Now ask me if I ever made anything worth wearing?...I dream of designing my own clothes. I have watched YouTube, taken online courses, read every site out there. My talent and attention span are very low however. But some day......

Float On

12-12-14, 8:11am

I have 2. My mom's mid-50's Singer cabinet style and a lightweight cheap singer. Grew up sewing a lot of my own clothes but mostly I do projects. Every year I think I need new cushions for the chairs on the front porch, the dog might need a new collar, DH might need a new carry case for yet another new flute, and then I have my napkin therapy. I keep a stash of fabric just for making napkins - probably have 350 of them stashed in the buffet. They are fun to change out for the season and the last time I bought paper napkins was '91. If I'm feeling tense or anxious or upset about something I go whip out a few napkins and I'm feeling better. The sewing machine is always set up and ready to go in the laundry room. I don't think I could part with my mom's for anything, the lightweight cheap one maybe.

Tammy

12-12-14, 9:58am

After years of only using it a few times to patch holes in the kids play clothes or make shorts out of pants when they totally wore out the knees .... I decluttered it during a move. Have never missed it. I made one pair of pants for myself one time, hated them, never wore them, and never did that again!

I can fix anything by hand that is within my need to repair - buttons, seams coming open, hems. I've lived in 16 homes so far in my 53 years. Moving has a way of encouraging me to make pragmatic decisions about heavy, hard to store, rarely used possessions.

pinkytoe

12-12-14, 10:13am

I like to keep creative options open so I will take mine when we move. It fits nicely in the back of a closet. Now we need to ask about that table saw that dh never uses anymore but refuses to part with.

Zoe Girl

12-12-14, 10:38am

Ihave 3, 2 of them need a little work. I actually sew however. If I didn't make some of my own clothes and had small space I would just let it go and then bring things to a seamstress. They are the experts and for a fee you can have less stuff, a good repair, and support an independant business

kimberlyf0

12-12-14, 12:56pm

I see a sewing machine as a tool; I may not have adopted sewing as a time consuming hobby, but I do like to have the ability to make things when they are needed, such as napkins, curtains, drying mats, gifts. etc. If I didn't have the space to keep a sewing machine I suppose I would have to buy these things.

Gardenarian

12-12-14, 3:42pm

Interesting replies! I'm curious about how people have 2 or 3 sewing machines - are they for different purposes?

I mostly used my machine for making household stuff (pillows, curtains, bedding) and for mending. But when I don't use the machine regularly it seems that I lose the touch - struggle with threading it and getting the tension right - and then my last needle breaks - an exercise in frustration! It has become faster to do most jobs by hand.

I guess the sewing machine is kind of like the piano - it just doesn't feel like a house without one, even if seldom used.
(Though our piano is rarely silent.)

rodeosweetheart

12-12-14, 4:12pm

my dream machine:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1960s-White-Singer-Featherweight-Sewing-Machine-/321612592449?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ae19ab541

kimberlyf0

12-12-14, 5:37pm

my dream machine:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1960s-White-Singer-Featherweight-Sewing-Machine-/321612592449?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4ae19ab541

Pretty! I have one of these, though not with quite so many accessories:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SINGER-FEATHERWEIGHT-FREEARM-222K-SEWING-MACHINE-HUGE-COLLECTION-/281528398644?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item418c667334

JaneV2.0

12-12-14, 6:03pm

Two of mine are featherweights, both black with gold scrollwork. One pristine, one not so--its case needed a handle and latch and I found a suitcase repair shop that did a good job replacing them. One is a circa 1975 Bernina, a good solid workhorse. The not-pristine Featherweight and the Bernina have seen quite a bit of duty. The fourth one is a low-end Brother that needs a tension adjustment; that will serve as a trade-in or perhaps a thrift shop donation.

rodeosweetheart

12-12-14, 6:25pm

mschrisgo2

12-13-14, 1:18am

Oh, I'd feel very deprived without a working sewing machine! I love to sew, it just makes me happy. I mend, make curtains/drapes/place mats/napkins, used to make Halloween costumes when my daughter was a kid (then she took over for herself when she was 14!), have made my own clothes and will again soon, just bought fabric for a lightweight jacket for work. Friends all know I am happy to resew a seam here or take in something slightly ... yes, I must have my sewing machine, it ranks right in there with my camera and my MacBook, all useful, necessary and loved tools.

catherine

12-13-14, 9:07am

I have the Singer machine my DH bought me the first year we were married (1977). I used it when the kids were small for Halloween costumes and I also made curtains from time to time, but it sits in my closet collecting dust. I haven't used it in years, so if you're like me, you're safe leaving it behind.

I bought my DD a very cheap, entree model a few Christmasses ago, and it was pretty inexpensive, so if you have a critical need sometime down the road, you could always get a basic one.

profnot

2-13-15, 7:03pm

Gardenarian - I went through the same conflicting emotions!

My 100+ year old Singer was passed down the family. It was cast iron and weighed a ton. Electric motor added on at one point. I had a lot of emotion related to it. I made my sister's wedding gown on it. Plus my nephew's baptism gown, my favorite clothes, my gorgeous bedspread and curtains, etc.

But I have been getting ready for a long distance move and taking a hard look at every item I own. "Is it worth the fee to ship? Do I love and adore it?"

I have come to realize I like hand sewing and I don't like machine sewing. There are local women who can make clothes for me when I furnish beautiful fabric. They sew better than I ever did and don't even need patterns. There will be similar tailors in my new city.

So I gave Singer to a woman who is one of the most active volunteers in this town. Straight stitch sewing is just what she needed.

I've been having fun designing clothes while I finish losing weight. A few more months should do it. I'll do the hand work, such as stitching pleats, smocking, trapunto, etc. If you google image Manipulated Fabric Techniques, you'll find some fabulous looks!

I've enjoyed reading your posts about settling into Ashland. A friend lives there and loves it.

Gardenarian

2-16-15, 2:22am

Well I have not missed the sewing machine at all! In fact, I'm happier without it. I often felt guilty about not sewing more.

Today I had to reset the waistband in a pair of pants - it took about 30 minutes by hand and was quite fun.

I admire you all who really use your machines so creatively! The friend I passed my machine onto is really enjoying it, so this worked out great all around.

Profnot- I'm not into any fancy handwork, but it sounds like a great craft for those who have the talent :)