In Spring 1967, when I was in college, I bought a four-year-old sewing machine, including the cabinet, for $100 and have been using it ever since.  I’ve often thought of replacing my sewing machine, but I don’t sew nearly as much as I used to, so I couldn’t justify the cost.

Two weeks ago, I was altering a pair of trousers and reached my limit.  Fabrics have evolved a great deal since 1967, and my 53-year-old machine left me extremely dissatisfied with my results.  I told Ted it felt like asking him to make a weather forecast for this weekend using only the tools he had in the 1970s when a three-day forecast was a new idea–it can be done, but not without challenges and the certainty that you could have done much better using today’s updated models and tools.  I decided the time had come for a new sewing machine.

I thought, researched, and shopped, and today I took the plunge and bought a new sewing machine and a serger, with the option to buy a cover stitch machine at a later date if I decide I need one.  I’m betting the new machines will make the remainder of my trouser alteration project easier and will produce better results.

From my old machine’s instruction manual.  Notice that it is billed as “the greatest sewing machine ever built.”  I can’t disagree.

My new sewing machine on the left; its case in the back; the serger on the right.

It looks like my old $100 sewing machine could bring $425 on eBay.  Yes, I have all those original pieces.