Growing Older with Sewing Machines

 Many people ask where I find my sewing machines and I usually tell them I troll Craigslist, resell shops, trade-in, and new friends in sewing. Lately I've been the recipient of machines and sewing supplies from those who can no longer sew due to failing eyesight, physical limitations, and moving to a care facility. I first reported on finding an Elna Quilting Queen in the post Queen for a Day where failing eyesight forced the owner to sell her very fine sewing machine. I continue to use this machine and I'm considering keeping it.

About a month ago I answered an ad about sewing supplies in a storage shed and got in touch with a gentleman whom I met at a nearby storage facility. This all sounds a bit sketchy but we met in broad daylight and I sent a quick text to one of my daughters to tell her where I was and what I was doing just in case I was never heard from again. No joke: I take precautions whenever necessary. As it turned out, I got to look through the boxes and decide which ones to haul home and which ones I could not use and it was only one flat fee. Here's where it gets sweet: the owner had a trailer and would bring them right to my house. Deal! Instead of the 15 boxes he thought were available, I ended up with 24 boxes and still left file cabinets of patterns behind. He told the story of his mother and how she made doll clothes and was way deep into crafts. She died over a year ago and those boxes had been stored for at least ten years and they were ready to clear them out. I actually love a project like this so I got busy and sorted through the boxes and made piles: sell, keep, Textile Center Garage Sale, garbage. I found some nice books, zippers, seam roll, tailors ham and point board, quilting grids, cool fabric, fabric paint, and so many other sewing items.

That's a lot of sorting!

One of the most amazing things was a whole bolt of white terrycloth that was dirty and stained on the top folded edge. I serged the cut edges, sprayed the stains, soaked in hot water with a detergent booster, and washed it up. It turned out fantastic! That's 12 yards of decent quality fabric for stuffed animals, bibs, robes, or whatever I can dream up. My sister Sue always comes up with great ideas so I frequently tap into her creative mind for additional uses.

Just this week I answered an ad for a giveaway of a serger and other sewing supplies. I met a sweet woman who was moving to a different apartment in a senior center and knew she needed to really get serious about what she should keep and find a new home for unused items. Due to an ongoing shoulder problem she could no longer sew and was clearing out her sewing room. I was to get a dress form,

Dress Form

Elna serger in a Koala cabinet, various sewing supplies, and an office chair. While we tried to figure out how to get everything on a flatbed cart, I spied her Janome sewing machine and asked if she was selling it also. She was but had no offers so I bought it from her, including two lights and the table it was on.

Janome Skyline S3

I brought home quite the haul, including some fantastic fabric that was high quality and rather recently bought.

Fabric waiting to be sewn up

While we boxed and chatted, I told her about my sewing life and she said she was glad to know her items were going to be put to good use. What a sweet woman and one I could learn some life lessons from.

During all of this we got a new shed that included a cement pad so our yard is a wreck with beaten down grass and no rain to bring it back to life but no rain also meant all of the work was done on time. With help from a daughter and grandson, it has now received two coats of paint and is ready for an electrician to install a line. My husband helped our neighbor build a ramp (thanks, Bob!) so we are almost finished. Will sewing machines find their way into the shed? Stay tuned to the further adventures of the Sewing Machine Mavin.

New shed