Every month the Featherweight Shop hosts a Featherweight Faire where highly collectible machines are available for sale. Serious collectors have some deep pockets and the machines normally sell out fast – like within 5 minutes of going live. Prices have been steadily rising over the past couple of years and it hasn’t seemed to faze collectors. Today, there were still 3 machines available when I visited the site a couple of hours after the event began. Everything was sold when I checked back late this afternoon. Have prices finally reached the point where collectors are thinking twice before hitting the buy now button?

I belong to several vintage sewing machine groups on Facebook. If you want a rare or painted version, then yes, plan to pay handsomely for your item, whether you buy from the Featherweight Shop, Hipstitch ABQ or from a FB FW enthusiast group. If you want a regular plain old 221 Featherweight in decent condition that sews well, shop local or on FB Marketplace first. In my area, a black Featherweight in really good condition sells for about $450-$500 and a white one can be had for about $300 more. Tan Featherweights and free-arm versions (222) are a real rarity. $1200 for a tan and closer to $2000 for a 222 is not unusual. Featherweight Poppy in NC or Glenn Williams in Tampa, FL may be a resource for a decent machine at a reasonable price.

Thrift stores and estate sales are a fun way to hunt for Featherweights and accessories in the wild. You simply have to be knowledgeable about what you want to buy and be prepared to walk away if the item is way overpriced. I recently attended an estate sale specifically to view a hand-crank machine. The price was so far off the mark, it was ridiculous. Another buyer was also interested, but we both walked away because the seller refused to offer a price improvement. Yes, FW machines for $20 at a yard sale or Goodwill do exist, but that’s the exception rather than the rule. Do your research so you can be prepared to purchase if an opportunity presents itself and the price is right. That’s how I acquired my 222 and Penguin foot.

Yes, you read that correctly! I received an offer for an opportunity I could not resist! Starting August 21st, I’ll be teaching Storybook STEAM (literacy activities with a handicrafts focus) for a local homeschool consortium. I get to share great picture books and run a maker space one day a week. I’ll also receive a competitive stipend, which is a nice bonus.

I spent most of the day planning activities for K-2 and sorting through the supplies that came home with me when I left my former school. I typically teach sewing for students in grades 4 & up, so I wasn’t exactly sure what I had on hand that would work with the wee ones. I had more than I realized! In case you’re wondering, I’m not required to furnish supplies out of my own pocket. A supply fee is charged for electives. What little bit I do spend personally will be for things to make my life easier. Besides, I’m trying to get rid of stuff!

Sadie and I went shopping to take advantage of teacher discounts on red felt, small lefty scissors, a craft cord bundle and a few school supplies. I have what I need for the first month of activities. More are planned, but let’s see how fast the kids progress before I buy anything else.

Office Depot was closing out craft kits and supplies for under 50 cents each. These items will provide an optional maker activity center when needed. I also picked up the big pack of Cricut infusible ink markers on sale at Joann for my CraftLAB kiddos. Hobby Lobby has a whole new range of sublimination blanks. At least one half of the dynamic duo is really into sublimination, so I guess a field trip to Hobby Lobby is in our future.

Yes, I’m excited to be back working part-time! I’m able to do what I love to do and still have time for everything else I’ve come to enjoy about retirement. It’s also nice to be part of an organization where leadership tells you how much they appreciate you and their actions back up their words.

Last year I mentioned that I’d followed a former co-worker’s advice to put things I really wanted out there in the universe. Circumstances worked out so that I was able to join hubby in early retirement back In May 2022. I’d told several folks I was looking for a Singer 301 LBOW at a good price and I now have Miss Carmella, who is an absolute joy to sew on.

Well, I put it out there that I would be interested in returning to work part-time once our big trips were behind us. Today, I received an offer to teach crafting/sewing classes one morning per week for a local K-5 homeschool consortium. This is the only job offer I’ve received since retirement that has me excited about returning to work. The head of school is a retired principal from my former school district. She is one of my favorite principals. She’s even willing to work around my upcoming Alaska trip if I’ll start August 21st. Still want to talk things over with hubby before I accept because this will mean we’ll be tied to an academic calendar once again through early May. Add this to what I currently have in the works to teach at the quilt museum and I’ll have met my goal to work part-time 2 days per week.

And Sadie gets to go with me to the school gig. Bonus!