The first machine is my current main machine & love, a Janome Memory Craft 8000. I got it brand new in 1993 and it was the first home embroidery machine. I've had the motherboard replaced once but as they don't make parts anymore, if it dies again it's toast.
The next photo is my first ever brand new machine, an Elna Contessa 410. It's quite yellow now! I used this baby for 9 years when I was in my 20s and it served me well. Not quite sure why I still have it but maybe I had dreams that my DD would sew. Sigh.
Then in 1998, I bought this Husqvarna Rose mainly for its embroidery capabilities. I could download designs from the net and so I did for a couple of years. But lately I've lost interest in embroidery. This machine is still a lovely machine & has a couple of nice features I would like in the "perfect" machine including tapping the foot control to bring the needle up or down and an automatic bobbin thread uptake.
When my daughter was born, I decided to upgrade my overlocker. I had previously owned a 3 thread Brother which gave me no end of trouble. So I bought this Janome 4 thread & have never looked back. Oh & I sold the Brother for $300!
I got this mechanical machine off Ebay from a local seller. It was in pristine condition. My reasoning for buying it was to teach my daughter but she has never sewn on this machine. I used to use it as a class machine but it's also handy for topstitching since my main machine hates topstitching thread.
If you read my blog regularly, you know I recently got this machine from Ebay for $150. It's a lovely machine and replaced the one above as my class machine. One of the things I love about all my machines is they use the same cords.
Of course, as a knit sewer I had to get one of these. It's a Coverpro which I mainly use for hems.
After having my overlocker in for a service once, I realised I needed a back-up overlocker so this one was purchased off Gum Tree. It badly needed servicing at the time but now sews like a beauty and I keep it threaded with white.
Around the same time as the back-up overlocker purchase, I bought this Elna Lotus off Gum Tree. It was an impulse buy really & I never use her but one day she might come in handy to take on a plane. Well, that's my story anyway.
This machine was never purchased to sew with. One day I thought it might be nice to have a little collection of machines. So I bought this one. It does actually sew but it's mostly used as sewing room decoration these days.
And now to the main reason for this post (& I thank you if you've stayed with me all this time). Bought this one at Easter from a woman with no teeth in Mudgee for $550. It was filthy. I don't think the bobbin case had ever been cleaned and every nook & cranny had dust/dirt in it. Plus the house had a smoker in it. Something I'd never come across before with an Ebay purchase but now something to keep in mind because the machine definitely smells. It's been airing for a few days & is not too bad now thank goodness. But it sews beautifully and has some wonderful features including a knee lift! I think I'm falling in love!
