Cha-Ching! S-C-O-R-E - Craigslist

On Sunday afternoon I was busy sewing a t-shirt quilt for an upcoming blacksmith auction. While sewing, I got a text from my 12 year old grandson. He was needing some family tree information for his homework. 

I went to my computer, brought up the family tree and found what I thought he needed. I sent it to him in an email and asked if that was all he needed. 

While waiting for his reply, I though I'd check out Craigslist. Then it happened. For sale: a Singer sewing machine in a black case. The picture told me immediately it was an awesome featherweight. 

There was no phone number to call, you had to reply by email. Immediately, I sent an inquiry, telling the person I would like the machine if it was still available. 

It was then wait, hit send receive, wait, hit send receive, check with grandson, hit send receive. About 3 minutes later, I sent a second email to the seller telling him this was my second email if he would call me at xxx-xxx-xxxx.  Almost immediately, he called. He said yes, he had the machine and if I didn't want it he had someone else who did. He said however, I was first in line. I asked for his address and told him I'd be right there. 

My heart was racing as I drove the 15 miles to his house. (I might have been racing too!)

His cute little boy opened the door for me. The father lead me to his garage and there it sat!

He said we are de-cluttering and need to get rid of a few things. He thought it sewed but he said at that price you could get it fixed. I told him I knew of a good repairman!  (Thank you Phil Cox!)

SOLD!!! I paid him the $25.00  and skipped out the door. 

CHA-CHING!!!!

So out the door with me, went this: 

It's a 1954 221 featherweight. It came complete with the original Singer oil can, and the tube of Singer grease in it's original box. 

Thank you Brady, for asking Grandma to help with your home work . . . wait,  did you get all the information you needed?

After all, I had no intention of buying another featherweight. . .

Not one, but two new toys!!!

You might remember that I have been shopping for a vintage sewing machine. After that day I started looking hard. I decided the featherweights were awesome but just too pricey for what I wanted it for. 

One day I typed Elna into my search engine (because my everyday machine is an Elna) and I found vintage Elnas.  They really got me intrigued. Sure they weigh a lot more than the featherweight but they are more unique to me. 

One night while talking to my friend Mara, who happens to be an addicted auction goer, I told her about my new search. She told me to hold one, she was pretty sure she had one that her late husband Ed had purchased. I could hear her walking, as she stepped into her garage she said, "Yes I thought he had one". "It's yours!" she told me. She said Ed would be proud if I would put it to use.

The blacksmith went Wednesday and picked it up for me.

It comes neatly packaged in this heavy metal green case. 

My jack-of-all-trades blacksmith immediately got to work on it. For a night and a day, he sewed lots of scraps. He has it about 95% ready to use. It sews nice, but we still feel a professional clean up on it would be great. 

I love my Elna Supermatic, dated 1953. It has one unique feature, the case turns into a sewing table. Oh yes, it also sews using a knee bar.

It also has cams. You insert these to make decorative stitches, including zig-zag. The machine has everything that originally came with it, the book, the tools, and attachment feet. 

Thank you Mara!  I will think of Ed every time I sew with it.

The same evening my Bernina Deco 600 embroidery machine arrived. I had purchased it off of EBay a week earlier. I feel I got a darn good deal on it. There were 3 software patterns included still in the original shrink wrap.  They had a price tag of $139 each. That is more than I paid for the machine. 

It sat for two days just like this. I feared it. I've never used one, knew nothing about it. 

Tonight I decided now was the time. In less than 30 minutes I had made a few attempts. Sure they aren't perfect, I'm hoping time will take care of that. Along with some coaxing from some good friends!  Right Deanna?

I am so lucky, life is good!