Remember the movie Groundhog Day?  I feel like that right now.  I could fill about six project classes (Meet Your Machine plus journals, simple quilts and doll clothes), but the shop’s scheduling constraints mean the classes have yet to be scheduled.  This is exactly what happened back in the spring when I had a Monday class filled, but the owner chose to hold class on Thursday instead.

I’d admit part of the scheduling snafu is because I didn’t know my summer schedule until recently and I was caught up in the frenzy of year end activities and the never-ending staffing drama at my school.  

The staffing drama continues even into post planning, but I now have 9 students (all found through my work connections) who want me to teach them how to sew this summer.  And currently no classroom space in which to hold classes.

Guess it’s time to invest in two of those 6′ folding tables from the local home center store and visit Ashby’s for one more machine.  I’m not turning away students.  I’ll rearrange my studio for small group sewing classes as I’d originally planned.

Today was the last day the kiddos.

One wedding, one bridal shower and three work days are all that stand between me and summer vacation.

Can’t wait!

Ashby’s posted an ad on FB about the new Elna Lotus sewing machine.  The earlier Swiss-made version of the Lotus (circa 1968) is found in the Museum of Modern Art.  The early Lotus was designed to be a lightweight travel machine and is becoming increasingly popular with sewers as an alternative to the beloved Singer Featherweight.

Intrigued, I did a little online research on the *new* Lotus.  $1200 is the suggested retail for this *travel* machine.  (Update 7/5/12 – the selling price is about $800.) Really?  Upon closer observation, I discovered the original Lotus holds its value pretty well.  Previously loved machines in excellent condition can go for about $600.  Even more interesting is that the successor to the original Lotus – the Stella – is in even greater demand.  Ray White, who is considered “Elna Man” by those on the Yahoo Elna Heirloom Sewing Machines list-serv, sells his Stellas in top condition for just under $1,000.

I do own a 1983 Elna Carina SU that my sewing students use – mostly due to the speed controller and the ample area under the harp.  Increasingly, I find myself taking this machine to class and sew-ins with me instead of my 1951 Singer Featherweight.  Why?  It does a zig zag and buttonhole – something my beloved FW does not unless I haul the heavy attachments for it.  Plus, there’s also the uniqueness factor.  In one of my quilt guilds, it used to be that only one or two of us had a FW, now it seems like everyone has one.  The Carina doesn’t have the visual appeal of the FW, but it is much, much quieter and has a heavy duty motor.  It also weighs less than “Old Faithful” – my Sears Kenmore 18830 – that I’ve kept as a backup machine for several years.

Vintage machines have a timeless appeal. They also last.  In addition to the Featherweight, give those European made mechanical machines from Pfaff, Elna and Bernina a second glance if you happen to see one in a sewing shop or thrift store.  Most were manufactured prior to 1990 in Germany or Switzerland.  I keep looking for a reasonably priced, not-so-pretty FW that still sews well that I can send off o become my painted turquoise beauty.  I’m going to add the Carina and Stella to my watch list as well.