Sew Mama Sewing Machine Meme

Sew Mama Sew is hosting Sewing Machine Month in June. I thought it might be fun to participate in their sewing machine meme. Of course, I have two machines... so this is post one of two!

What brand and model do you have? Singer Athena 2000

How long have you had it? Since I moved back from Indiana and into my second apartment, I believe- summer of 2005.

How much does that machine cost (approximately)? A quick google search didn't give me any idea. My mother purchased it in the mid-70s, but it was gifted to me.

What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)? My Athena is my main garment sewing machine, and my quilting machine now that I quilt. I've made clothes for myself on it, and bags, etc.

How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get? Lately, I don't sew at all! This is because my Athena stopped working properly last fall. I would say in heavy sewing periods (for example, at the end of last summer), I sew for many (many many) hours over the weekend and a few during the week. When I'm not in the middle of obsessing over a project, I sew very infrequently.

Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name? I call her Athena, for obvious reasons, or my little Sewing Goddess. I do love her, but I am not as comfortable with her as I am with my other machine. I just need more time getting to know her.

What features does your machine have that work well for you? My mother often remarks that she regrets ever giving me this machine- it has the best button-holer of all of our collective sewing machines.

Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine? OH the curses I have lashed out since it broke down last fall. It turns out that it needed some serious repairs (I suspected it, but was afraid to give in and bring it in for repair). Apparently it had some broken parts, and I'm in for a $180 bill very shortly. Sigh.

Do you have a great story to share about your machine? Well, this is my mother's old machine, the one she used to make all the crazy matching shorts and hawaiian shirts for my sister and me in our childhood. The Disney World outfits we had in NEON green were pretty awesome. In an 80s-tastic way. We always wore whatever Mom made for us, and we sure were easy to spot.

Would you recommend the machine to others? Why? I do recommend it! It's electronic, but still basic enough to handle anything. I love older machines, and again... it's got the button-holer of doom.

What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine? I think you should gauge how you are going to use the machine as the most important factor. For me, I wanted to be able to sew apparel, and to do basic fixes on ready-to-wear (the Athena also is very good at hemming). I wouldn't have chosen it for a quilting machine, but it does a fine job at that, as well.

Do you have a dream machine? I want a Bernina. I am completely in love with my aunt's Bernina. It sews like a dream, and I can only imagine how awesome it would be for free-motion machine quilting. Someday I'll get one of my own!