Let me explain why I have been sooooooo

[pigtailpat]

MIA..........

about a month going on now or so ago, I was talking with my sisters-in-law about sewing in general and I asked if my MIL's sewing machine was even working (she is pretty advanced in age and can't use it anymore). To my surprise, both of my SIL's wanted me to have the machine - I thought they wanted it.

So this machine came home and it is a 15-30 machine born in 1920 and I named her Wadia after my husband's grandmother, who was the original owner of the machine. You can see my restoration work on this machine at: http://photobucket.com/pat-150

Wadia came in a very, very shaky cabinet, really icky. So off I went in search of a new cabinet. To my utter delight, I found a singer art deco cabinet 42, but it came with yet another machine, a 15-91 from 1941. So, I cleaned the cabinet and the 15-91 (who is Matilda), and the results are stunning, which you can see at: http://photobucket.com/pat-15-91

Last, as I was looking and looking, a 221 featherweight also fell into my lap and I got her quite by accident (she is Alicia) and her restoration can be found at: http://photobucket.com/pat-featherweight

So.......

this madness was the only reason why I have not been so active here, and I will be playing anew with my kitty soon, as I do need to make two urgent cards, and x-mas again is with us........

Love and miss all of you...........

Pat

[CeCeCreates]

Wow, that is sooo awesome! I must say that though that it makes me ache for my mother's old Singer machine, etc., and I have no idea where it is now. I'll pretend that you ended up with it, and that makes me happy!

[Retta]

awesome Pat!!! We did miss you!

[kim]

oh, now you are making me wonder what ever happened to my grandmother's old singer sewing machine. I have fond memories of learning to sew with it. I started out with aprons and my grandmother had a life time supply of aprons. I think there are still a few in the house, even though she has passed away now.

[Gigi]

What a great story, Pat.

Thanks for sharing. It's good to see you here again!

[sherri]

Good grief Pat..do you do anything small?

[pigtailpat]

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh but sherri, at least this did not cost me big money! All financed with **change** money saved over weeks and months, and the sale of the expression. Didn't hurt me a bit! The FW was $100, and the art deco cabinet with the 15-91 was $125, and of course my MIL's machine was free.

I was starting to despair of ever being able to afford a machine capable of quilting, as my singer 1022 would not be a good machine for that (the feed dogs don't drop). Modern machines for quilting, my lord, has everyone gone crazy!! Thousands of dollars! Multiple thousands - that is wayyyyyyy too much for me to even consider. I had been saving everything I can (and depriving myself of paper..that hurt!)

So, by happy coincidence, or help from above, this stuff fell into my lap, for such little money - make it possible for me to grow my skills.

The 15-30 sews like a champ, that machine can eat anything (even though she doesn't look as nice as the others). I expect no less of the 15-91 (haven't tested that one yet), and the FW has already surpassed my expectations.

I'm posting so that others might be inspired to find a way to pursue a dream. If its not sewing, or perhaps something else, somehow it will be there for you, I know it.

Though, even though I did all this, I really can't wait to get back to papercrafting. I miss it too. Why is there not enough hours to do everything?

Pat

[Suzan]

Wow I can see your love for these machines. I had my grandmothers old singer, for awhile, not a clue what my parents did with it. But it sewed like you wouldn't believe.

[kate3]

Good to have you back Pat. I wish I had been on that journey with you. I often wonder what happened to my mothers and grandmothers old machines as I would love them.

[whizzy]

They are lovely — I inherited my MIL's Singer Treadle machine many years ago & recently gave it to one of my DDs.

[Thyme]

Oh I am very jealous!!

[Elizabeth]

So cool, Pat! Great score on the Featherweight! Glad you are back with us.