I stopped by a consignment store to look at a chest of drawers but it was too much money for the condition. There were baby/kids clothes in the window so I went in to see if they had anything good so I could let family know.
Almost did not look in room with furniture/junk but had time to kill. Way back in the corner behind two bookcases, two swivel barstools, coffee and end table sets, lamp and you name it, was a sewing machine in cabinet covered in dust. It had been there a long time because everything else was cram packed in front of and around it.
I asked if it worked, she said she didn't know and when I asked how much, she said $60 but she had another one in the back office. She went and got it but it was a newer Singer and mostly plastic. I hmm'd a bit and said I would dig it out if she'd take $40 even if it didn't work because I *thought* my husband might be able to fix it and I'd rather have a tan metal machine that looked similiar to what mom had than a plastic one. I knew full well what it was and that Joe could fix it if it didn't work and mom never even had a sewing machine while I was growning up but hey, it saved me $20!
Singer 401-A with a few fashion disks, buttonhole attachment, all the feet, a ruffler, toolkit and several bobbins. I spent half an hour digging it out and trying to fit it in my car. Finally got it in the trunk and drove treally slow to Autozone where I bought a cheap screwdriver to take machine out of the cabinet to put in my backseat and bungee cords to tie trunk lid down. I didn't really care about the cabinet as it was not in very good condition but I didn't want it to fall out and cause a wreck and I sure didn't want to smash the machine.
Now this is the same machine that I sew with every time I do any sewing. If for any reason I need a heavier duty machine, I use the 301 mom gave me (also in cabinet, my serger sits on top).
It needs a good cleaning and oiling but Joe hooked it up when he got home and it actually sews better than the one I use (which by now also needs a good cleaning and oiling).
No, we do not need yet another machine, I think I have 12 now but can't remember what all is in the attic other than they are collectible and Joe won't let them go so I just keep my mouth shut because they aren't hurting anything up there. Needless to say he is happy I found this one today and bought it even if is just going to be stored until the kids move out and want their own.
Kathy (who shopped all day, went to a memorial for a coworkers spouse and did not get ANY sewing done)