“Are you still collecting sewing machines?”
The question, the sole content of an email, lingered on the page.
“Of course! We are always collecting machines!” I replied, going on to detail how to do so.
It’s been a quiet year for everyone–rethinking, recalculating, reimagining our lives, wondering how things might look on the “other side”. Although the work of the Sewing Machine Project has slowed, it’s been steady. As Director, along with my Board, I bow to the organic nature of the organization and have looked at the past year as a long quiet winter, letting ideas rest and rejuvenate under the snow. We have always described ourselves as “guiding” the organization, rather than cramming it into a mold of what we think it should be. The SMP has a life of its own and respecting its nature brings the most miraculous results.
And then, spring comes. The ice begins to thaw, and ideas begin to sprout. Plans that have lain dormant along with brand new, unforeseen ideas shoot up tiny, bright leaves. With renewed hope we tend the organization like a garden in these tenuous, hopeful times, clearing the debris around the tender sprouts, loosening the dirt so possibility can breathe and stretch. Patiently we watch the weather as undoubtedly, storms will still move through. We protect the tender growth as it gathers strength.
New ideas must be nurtured as they bend towards the light. There is work to be done. I have no doubt that the garden will be glorious.
We’ll keep you posted 🌸
Would love to donate treadle sewing machine to population that has no electricity. I know they are bulky and heavy. Thoughts?
Hi Courtney, Thanks so much for your note. You are right! Treadle machines are so helpful in communities where power is intermittent. Although we are not taking treadles at this time (no space to store them and heavy and bulky to ship), there are groups that do. Unfortunately, I don’t have any specific ones in mind. I’ll keep you in mind as we sometimes are asked if we have a treadle. If I am asked, I’ll connect you. Also, keep an eye out for charitable and church groups that are creating containers to send to areas where the power is iffy.
I’m glad you reached out. Thank you!
After taking classes in sewing machine repair, I have sewing machines that I would like to donate. I am in the Charleston SC area but can take a road trip to deliver them.
Are you taking donations or do you know of any organizations that can use them?
Thanks
Hi Nora, This is terrific! As long as they meet the guidelines set forth on the donation page on our website, we’d love them! Unfortunately, we don’t have a collection site near you so a road trip to deliver would be ideal! And the good news is there’s no deadline so whenever it feels right to make the trip, let us know and we’ll be waiting. Thank you for your kindness!
I was going through some back issues of “Sew News” magazine, which made me think of the two sewing machine and two sergers that I would like to sell or donate to people that would appreciate them. Do you take sergers? I’d rather donate than sell.
Hi Ada,
We do take sergers. They do need to be at least 4 thread and have dual feed (and of course, be in excellent working order). Thanks so much!