One down, 99* to go

*just a rough approximation

all photos containing sewing machines by DragonPoodle, and I don't have to give myself permission

So, my sister-in-law Patty came to see me.  We did our usual:  fine dining (Waffle House this morning) and boutique shopping.  If charity run thrift stores can be called boutiques.  We wouldn't know, we don't go in actual boutiques.

photo by Pat Byers, used with permission.
Why is there a room with no sewing machines here?  Keep reading

We also attempt to unload lots of stuff on each other, as our respective studios tend to fill up with the junk treasures we buy at the thrift shops.  I got off easy this time but she went home with a 3 foot tall stack of cotton velveteen and my entire collection of neatly cataloged embroidery thread in every color there is.  Never use it (and saved the silk embroidery thread in case I ever do). 

photo by Pat Byers, used with permission.
And an Irish pub.  Again, why?..........

I have tried unsuccessfully in the past to give her a vintage sewing machine, because I had heard her cuss her more modern machine.  I gave up a long time ago, but this time she mentioned a friend who was sewing tiny clothes for miniature dolls and I said that a hand crank was what was needed.  And then Patty said that maybe she needed one herself and that she had given the modern machine to her daughter.

Folks, you will NOT be surprised to hear that I had just the thing. 

I had always planned to convert this to hand crank, but I had other plans as well that didn't happen.   You can see the chips on the bed, especially in front. I was going to try some cosmetic disguise procedures involving fingernail polish and decals, but Patty is ready for this machine NOW and the only other one I had ready to go out the door was a questionable Taiwanese 15 clone.  In black.  This is pink.  So, no decision at all really.

It needed a new bobbin case, and I had a little drawer full of them.  Old machines sometimes come here to die and become organ donors.  Although a new bobbin case is pretty cheap if you need one.

I had oiled it when I bought it but hadn't even wiped down the surface.  It was very clean inside though, which is what really matters.  It had been sitting on a shelf for at least 4 years waiting for me. 

not the best photos you have ever seen, but hopefully you can note the absence of grunge and varnish.

We got it out and when I say "we" I mean Patty.  It was turning pretty freely but after I showed her how to oil it, it spins like a top.  Even the reproduction hand crank works very well.  They don't always do that, btw.  And it makes a perfect and perfectly balanced stitch.

Modernage, made in Japan.  Straight stitch only.  Very cool looking stitch length dial and reverse button.  Feed dog drop, although FMQ on a hand crank is a thankless task.

Took off the original balance wheel to add a spoked one and hey presto--the bobbin winder still engages and works perfectly.  That doesn't always happen either.

A feature I REALLY like on class 15 machines is when the bobbin cover flips up out of the way instead of sliding.  And if you use the machine table top WITHOUT a case it is even easier. In fact, this is the ONLY easy way to change a class 15 bobbin.  Take note, Patty, because I forgot to tell you this when we were talking about cases.

Not all machines will function naked like this.  Some models HAVE to be in a cabinet or case because otherwise some of the working bits attempt to slam into your tabletop, and it just won't sew that way. 

******************
So, did you figure out why a castle and a pub are featured above? 

Because Patty's craft obsession is with miniatures and she makes fabulous ones.  I have one with a dragon guarding its jewels.  One daughter has a scene with Marie Curie discovering radium. 

All photos in this section by Pat Byers.  Used with permission.

had to include a sewing themed one for you, dear readers!

She has a Facebook page, Pint Size Spaces, and there are lots of photos there.

and a web store Pint Size Spaces

and she recently exhibited at the Southern Christmas Show in Charlotte.

Why not stop by her web store?  And while you are there, go ahead and buy something.  You know you want to.  Tell her I sent you.  You won't get a discount but we will ALL feel warm and fuzzy about the whole thing.

Long time readers will know that I never plug products or businesses.  I will tell you by brand name what worked for me and where I got it, but that's all.  But hey, this is my sister-in-law.  And miniatures!  Who doesn't love miniatures?  Anyway, it's my blog and I can break my own rules whenever I want to.

*******************

So, the blog post title?  One machine out the door, approximately 99 still here.  Always.  I always want to downsize, but they keep finding me and sneaking in here.

How many machines do you have?  Has that number stabilized, like mine?  How many are for your own use?  How much do you worry about your own sanity?  How much do your close family members worry? 

Do you have a plan for what happens to them when, ahem, you no longer have a use for them?  Do you have it written down and stored with your will?  (I do, lol, but really, I do!)

Love to hear from you on this!  Younger readers may find this morbid, but me and most of my friends are old ladies.

Not my sister in law Patty though.  She is MUCH younger than me.