Lord, I have SMAD. Someone get a bucket of ice water...

I have the makings of what could be a serious problem: SMAD. (Sewing Machine Addiction Disorder). Now, granted, THIS ONE WAS NOT MY FAULT!!! Really, we'll blame the members of my parents' Sunday School class for this one...

Everyone, meet Lydia, a Singer 301 (the "big" sister to the Featherweight 221), made new in 1977.

**Edit: not new in 1977, bought in 1977? Maybe? This is a 301, meaning it was made between 1950-51, 301As were made through '59**

The back story:

Lydia Rucoba was an amazing lady who was one of those saints of the church. She and her husband Rudy started a ministry outreach project in one of the poorest apartment complexes in North Dallas that led to the church renting 6 (?) apartment units and having weekly Hispanic church services, Bible studies, and after-school programs for the residents. She passed away not too long ago and her husband is now living in an assisted living facility. They had no children and no really close family to help, so my parents' Sunday School class has been helping clean out/sell items in their home, and ultimately the house, to go toward Rudy's long-term care.

Anyway, the ladies of the Sunday School class held the machine for me, thinking I might be interested. I was doubtful seeing as it was probably older and would need lots of work, and I am not even really done with the 66 I have been working on, but I thought I would be nice and look at it. I had my rejection speech all ready as we entered the house that smelled of mothballs and old paper. To my surprise, tucked away in the back bedroom was a pristine Singer 301, complete with original paperwork, manual, sewing skills kit, and all of its feet. The cabinet it is housed in has barely any scratches and the bench is in equally mint condition. 

So, to the tune of $40, she came home with me. $40 for a machine that I will not have to spend a dime on except plug 'er in and oil 'er up. Love it. Lydia, I will do my best to take good care of her. :-)

Also... I haven't given up on Eleanor the Red Eye, but I think that in terms of every day sewing, this machine will suit my needs (and calf muscles) much better. Plus, I can't get Eleanor to not sew backwards. That is a problem. :-P
Eleanor will stay with the parents in my old bedroom until I live somewhere with enough room for her...

Goodies!!!
PS: Dressmaking in 8 easy steps?
These people have obviously never made a dress before...

"Singer: A Name You [Could] Trust [Pre-1980]"

Lovely.

:-)