I got the bug to fix,repair and restore sewing machines about 2 years go. I don't really know how it all began. It may be because of our small business. I don't really recall how that started either, but I think It all boils down to hoarding. I can justify hoarding 24 hours a day, and sometimes I can even talk myself into believing that it is a justifiable working environment, and that I am doing what I do to make money for our household. But, when it is all said and done. It is hoarding.
I come from a long line of hoarders. At least I think I do. I can count 2 people in my family who have been accused of the cursed "gather" gene. My grandfather, who I call Baba, and my cousin, Michael. Out of them both, I think I have won in the game of "Gimmie, it is mine." I do have an online presence that is working, and I do sell many items. For almost 15 years I have been doing this, but still my collections of items grows.
I have found a niche in sewing materials here in east Texas. It is not something that I planned on, but you take what is given to you, and I was given the opportunity to start a sewing company, and I took it. Problem is, I had never sewn. The closest I have come to sewing was in 9th grade when I tried to make a bathing suit. I failed, miserably and was banned from using my mothers sewing machine for life.
Since I have been given this gift of merchandise, I have grown to love the colors,textures and beauty that comes from fabrics of all kinds. I have also , a deep and honest respect and awe for people who can sew. I think they are amazing artists,sculptures of the material world, and something I doubt I can ever master. Still I gather quilting magazines and read every article, fascinated with the creations these amazing people make. Stunned that more of them are not renowned artists and coveted for their craft.
I am happy that I have a place for people who do sew, to come and purchase fabrics from the past That are unavailable in todays marketplace . ( most are fabrics from the 70's and 80's). For 8 years, I have studied and have learned textures,wording, and ways to describe accurately the fabrics that I sell. Although, I felt shame that I had never worked along side these marvelous artists.
2 years ago, I decided to buy my first sewing machine. I bought a used Kenmore, and immediately fell into depression. I could not wrap my head around how to thread the machine, how to work with bobbins,how to do even the simplest task. I had 5 books out in front of me as I struggled to register just how the thread was picked up by the needle , and why mine was not working. It was frustrating. My mother lives 500 miles away, I couldn't just ask her to come over. I finally got the courage to ask my new friend Lisa to come over and help. I felt like such a nincompoop, especially since she easily threaded the machine and got it to sew. I hugged her, and sent her on her way . Of course, once the bobbin ran out, I was back to square one, and no instruction manual anywhere.
It was closing in on my birthday, so I decided to bite the big one and ask for a machine . I thought if I bought a new machine, It would certainly be simpler, and I would have directions ! At my fingertips! I decided on a "heavy duty" Singer Sewing machine from Amazon. When It arrived, I was able to follow the instructions and get to sewing. I was thrilled, but I was also soon disappointed in how loud and clunky the machine was. I finally could sew a straight line, and when the thread bunched up underneath, I was not afraid of fixing it. I had my handy little book, and I was going to make something. I made a bunch of little bags, and had a huge amount of self respect for this small task. I did it. I had made something.
I also still did not like my machine very much. Now that I knew the very basic tools, I went to the internet and found many others who were just as hardhearted about the newer machines as I was. I took out the old machine that had given me so much trouble and tried again, this time understanding a little more about what I was doing. It was so much more of a machine than the newer Singer. It only had straight and zig zag stitches, but when I sewed on it, it purred like a kitten, not like a freight train. As I perused my nearest hunting ground for things to sell online, i found numerous machines, all older, rotting away under tables of disrepair, in trash heaps,in the corner, covered in dirt and leaves. I couldn't leave them, not after what I had found out. That these machines are made to last, and they sew like a dream. I ended up bringing five of them home to clean.
That started it all. Since I did not invest a lot, and because I knew enough about how they are suppose to work, I started learning about them. i started taking them apart, figuring out what made them what they are, I cleaned and polished and fixed them all. In doing this, it made me more confident in my sewing skills. I got compliments on the machines that I fixed and even offered them up for sale on my website. All of them sold. I was very proud.
Sure, I had some that I could not fix, some that took to much to fix and some that were completely worthless , but not many. I have bought many wounded soldiers , and I have sold many excellent machines. But I still have about 35 sewing machines, and I still cannot stop myself from saving them. It is a time consuming process, but it is one that I have found I love. I learn something new every time I pick up a tool to clean one out. I am sure, like everything, I will end up putting this obsession to rest, but for now, I have found something I am pretty good at,and I feel that bring these beauties back from the dead to sew again in itself has made it all worthwhile.
