Wednesday, January 1, 2014

New Year, New Beginnings

So, I haven't shut down Mom's blog yet as you can see.  And since I have not, I decided to give an update on what's been going on around here since September.

We've been making slow but steady progress on the updates to the home Mom and Dad bought in May.  Dad's decided that the big room will become a train/car/truck/play room for him and my boys.  I think Mom would be good with that.  It's been painted and we just got the floor down last weekend.  New windows are ordered - wow they are expensive for an entire glass wall.





Here's a question for the sewers out there...  Do people buy used sewing machines?  I have probably 6 that need a home.  Should I try to sell them, or just give them away?  They were all very expensive when new, and they have been well cared for.

My mom had been studying Zentangle art for a while and I've found some of her books.  I'm finding them very interesting and may be something that I can do - even though I don't have a creative hair on my body.  It's calming, which I really need being that I'm a super type A person.  Anybody have a book/blog/website suggestion for a beginning Zentangler?

Happy New Year to all of Mom's cyber-friends.  I hope everyone had great Holidays and wish everyone great days ahead.

God Bless,
Colette

34 Talk to me:

badmomgoodmom said...

Yes, people buy good used sewing machines. In fact, my dealer says that there is a lack of quality used sewing machines for the number of people who want them.

You'll get top dollar for them from people who know how much they are worth. Try selling them directly through patternreview.com and Stitcher's Guild Auctions.
http://artisanssquare.com/sg/index.php/board,32.0.html?PHPSESSID=a4d9c1bf4cf36dbbbc8cd1432ebd85d3

Alternatively, consign them with a dealer.

Carolyn (Diary of a Sewing Fanatic) said...

Colette - it's so sweet of you to keep us updated on Gwen's family! Thank you so much! You can eBay, craigslist or offer the sewing machines for sale on PatternReview. If you're willing to pack and ship them I'm sure that you can offer them here and one of us will buy them because I'm sure your Mom's sewing machines were well care for and wonderfully loved. So short answer, yes sewists would buy a used sewing machine.

Happy New Year to you and your family!

KimP said...

So glad to hear from you!! We love getting updates from your family, especially about the house your mother loved.

Anonymous said...

You could donate them to an organization such as 4H or a Boys and Girls club. I teach our local 4H kids and there is always a need for machines

Maryissewfast said...

You definitely could sell them (help offset the cost of those windows!). Thanks for the update on your family...

Rose said...

I'm so glad that you posted--I was thinking of your family this morning. Older or classic sewing machines do have value. I would check the value with either the local dealer or repair person (they could either sell on consignment or provide a reasonable estimate). Some sewing machines have considerable value (e.g. high end Bernina's), so if you do know the original purchase price, I recommend that you talk to at least one dealer. And I'm also suggesting that check with your family members and see if there are any sew-ists or crafters who would like to acquire a sewing machine or part of her stash (e.g. fabric or button collection or favorite shears, rulers, thimble, other notions, etc). Each family has a different dynamic, so feel free to pick the best advise that works best.

I do want to wish you and your family the best for the New Year.

The Hojnackes said...

The floor is beautiful! Yes, people will buy those machines. Thank you for updating us. It is good to hear how things are going. I am sure she will love your dad and boys playing together in that room. :)

Sharon said...

So lovely to hear from you, Gwen's family and to see that her room is going to be cherished by the boys. Sewers love well cared for sewing machines and other have given you lovely ideas of how to sell them.

Wishing you and your family all the very best for 2014.

Lori said...

Colette, thank you so much for the update, it is wonderful to hear from you. I have had good luck selling machines on ebay. Happy New Year to you and your family.

Malady said...

Your Mom and Dad's house looks beautiful. I'm so glad you posted to update us, thank you.

Ann said...

I have been thinking about your mom also so thank you for the lovely update. I am sure your mom will be thrilled to see the room used by your dad and your boys. It is such a lovely room with all those windows.
People do buy used machines. Talk to a sewing machine dealer as they sometimes will sell them for you. If not, try to get a price and sell them on Craigslist or at Stitcher's Guild.
Happy New Year to you and your family.

celkalee said...

A very Happy New Year to you all. Each year is different with challenges etc. and this one will be no different. So glad you updated us, your Mother was well liked and respected. Funny thing, I was forwarding a funny email last night to friends and your Mother's name is still in my address book and when I was clicking on the 'send to' I kept thinking Gwen would like this one! And she would have.

Please do have someone value the machines. In my area good high end machines sell for about 1/3 to 1/4 of their original price which sounds drastic, but it is realistic if the machine is more than 3 years old. There is another Sewists site for selling anything related to sewing. I have used it to buy and to sell and was pleased. The name is Sew Its for Sale. It is a Yahoo group with 16000+++ members
http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/SewItsForSale/info

Best of luck.

becki-c said...

Thank you so much for keeping us up to date, she is still in our hearts and prayers. That floor is gorgeous, love the olor. I'm sure mom would approve.
there is DEFINITELY a market for used machines, I am looking for a used Bernina right now that these responses give me great ideas of where to look besides Craig's List.
I also think you should post them here, you might be able to sell to one of the devoted followers directly! (yes, ulterior motive acknowledged...)

Carolyn said...

So sweet of you to update us. Yes there is always a buyer for a used machine. As said above, you could post here and probably sell them.

annie said...

Not only do people buy them on eBay all the time. I've bought one, a basic Bernina 810 and I have been most satisfied. Your local repair person might give you an idea of what they are worth, esp since they have been well cared-for.

Linda T said...

The house is really coming together - so beautiful! Thanks for giving us an update.

Nancy said...

I'm glad you have tried the Zentangle - it is meant for people who don't think they have any artistic talent to be able to create something unique. Google Zentangle and you will find lots of information. I had some site that sent you a daily e-mail with instructions on how to draw one of the patterns - they break it down step by step.

Dr. Fun (AKA Sister) said...

Hi Colette, I don't know how I missed your earlier post about your mom passing away, but I'd been thinking about emailing her since she got me started on the Alabama Chanin books, and just saw this. She was a funny lady who commented frequently on my blog, and I guess you see she touched lots of people. Thanks for the updates, and good luck with the machines - you've gotten lots of good advice already about selling them.
Lynn in Mobile, AL

Anonymous said...

Keep at least one of the machines for yourself. Even if you don't sew, you may want to try your hand at it in the future. It would be lovely memory of your mother to sew on a machine that once belonged to her.

Robyn said...

I second the suggestion of keeping one of the machines for yourself. At least keep one for a while. You won't lose a lot (if anything) by waiting to sell the last one, if that's what you choose at a later date.

mssewcrazy said...

I think that if the situation were here, I'd rather my daughters sell the machines or give thought to their dispersal so that they would go to a person who would treasure them.I would also gently suggest that you keep the best multi purpose one and perhaps a serger just in case you later get inspired to give it a go. One daughter doesn't sew my type stuff but plays with home dec and embroidery for fun. So great to get an update. The room looks so nice, mom would be proud. I almost wish the blog stayed. I always read and think today I'll reread her posts. Take care and thanks for the post.

Gernella said...

I am so glad you kept your mum's blog open so that we can come back and pick up her old posts and hints.

As has already been said there is a good market for well looked after sewing machines/sergers, but do keep one for yourself, you never know where your talent may fall.

It is nice to see her home progressing and her ideas put into effect. I hope your family keeps well.

The Slapdash Sewist said...

The house is progressing beautifully! And your mom would have loved that huge bank of windows. Perfect light for sewing...and the inevitable seam ripping. Much love to you and your family.

Kyle said...

Thank you for the update--the room is coming along! I still think about your mom and mentioned her in my recap post. She was such a sewing cheerleader for us all.
You definitely can sell her machines. There is a market for them. One option that wouldn't involve too much effort and shipping is that you can take them back to the dealer to see if they would buy them back.

Carol said...

Carol Buszek here from your mom's Designer Group. I have been waiting to hear back from your dad because I have a box of books and some accessories for some of her machines. Your husband has my number and I would be happy for him to come and pick them up anytime. Or I can deliver them this Friday. CCC (Creative Clothing Club) can put an ad in our monthly newsletter about selling the machines. There are over 150 members and these ladies are local, so no shipping worries for you. And they know the value of these machines, so won't quibble about whatever price you set. Please call me or email if I can help with this in any way.
The room looks great and I imagine your boys will love being in "GiGi's" space with their grandpa.

Anonymous said...

I respectfully ask that you leave your mother's blog open, if it is feasible. I just recently found her blog and see there is much a person can learn from her. She must have been one special lady.

Anonymous said...

I found your mom's site about a year ago. I was sad to read of her passing. I, too, am glad you have kept the site open. When I figure how to set up an acct you'll see my name and location (CO) and such. My mom passed away almost 5 years ago and my sister gave away her newest machine to a coworker(I was crushed as I sew myself).

Marty's Little Corner said...

Your mom was one of the first people to read and comment on my blog. I am so sorry to learn of her death. There is a Yahoo group specifically for selling sewing items and machines. It's called SewItsforSale@yahoogroups.com. Hope this helps.

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