Saying Goodbye

My sewing machine adventure began by trying to upgrade my older Kenmore sewing machine. This was strictly for personal use, a bit of sewing that I sold at a couple of craft fairs each year. Three short years later it has blossomed into a small business that I struggle not to let run my life. But last night I had to talk myself into selling two machines that I wasn't ready to say goodbye to.

Only two weeks ago a woman came to buy a sewing machine for herself and one for her neighbor. Isn't that sweet? She recommended me to another friend who bought one last week. Really sweet! I got another call this week asking if the sewing machine for a friend could be exchanged for a table model. Of course, I want every sewer to have what they really want so they came back. They looked at a machine I had in a cabinet that had stitches already built in so was easy to use. It was okay but she was drawn to the Necchi across the room: could she try it? I pointed out that I only had it three weeks and it didn't have a light (bare wires!) but she could certainly try it out. I loved that classic Italian sewing machine, so sleek, so smooth as I ran the fabric under its needle with my hands. It came to me with the zigzag completely frozen and I nursed it back to life, learning much along the way. As you can guess, she loved it, too, so would I sell it?

Only photo I had (she was cleaning up nicely with TR3)

Next they were interested in sergers, something that had been mentioned before but I had forgotten. This time I took them downstairs, totally unprepared to have these women see my own sewing area. I showed the Viking Huskylock 431 first since it worked well but was a bargain due to the broken thread holder. Then we looked at the Elna Pro5 DC, fully loaded with an LCD display screen, many attachments, manual, the whole works. There was much discussion about the differences in the quality of the stitches and then they spied the Bernette Funlock 004D serger. No, no, no, not the little Bernette! I loved that little girl who never let me down, used regular needles, always worked, and the manual was easy to read and understand! They both loved it. Of course, what's not to love? Would I sell it? I told myself I could not keep them all, I still had the newer Viking that also worked well and is more versatile, but I loved that little Bernette. We placed her in her travel bag along with a small pouch of accessories (all she really needed), printed manual, and added another cone of white thread so she could use it as a 4-thread serger.

Funlock 004D (and she was fun!)

As we walked upstairs I took one last look at the black Necchi, then we folded it down into the cabinet and walk it out to one of the cars. Yes, I sold the Necchi. Yes, I sold the Bernette serger. My business funds have swelled but my heart was now feeling the loss. I moved things around to cover the space where the cabinet stood. I went back downstairs and moved things around so there were no sergers in boxes on the floor. Things were looking better but my heart was sad. I remind myself it's a business and my husband tells me I'll find another serger. Of course, of course.

But it's still hard to say goodbye.