As I mentioned in last week’s post, I’ve decided to finally set up the shop completely.  With the way we all do things changing from day to day, this seemed like the right time.

For years, I’ve mentioned in posts that I would put this or that into the shop when I had a chance.  Now that my IT work and sewing machine repairs have slowed to a halt due to the pandemic, it’s bubbled to the top of the list. Everything’s been photographed and a description added.  I’ve tried to be as descriptive as possible but do check attached photos as well.

This means :

• 3D printed friction wheel pilot project for the Elna Supermatic type machines
• Print copies of my patterns (the digital ones have been there since the beginning)
• The chain ring bolt fix for the (401G/411G/431G) German Singers
• I’ve also added all of my current new inventory – and a bunch of new/old stock (meaning some of the packaging may be dated but the item is unused, or it may show some cosmetic flaws from being around the shop for some time but is unused)
• Some used and vintage items including some fairly uncommon items that I’ve decided to part with in an effort to clear some clutter. More of these will be added over time.
• Also listed are a number of consigned items from Massey Sewing Machines from when they closed.  This includes some old style Bernina feet.   Those proceeds go back to the owners of Massey.
• There will periodically also be items related to sewing machines, fabric or fibre as I get them.  Sometimes I will order an item for someone that requires me to get lots of 3 or 6 – leaving me with a few afterwards.  Those will also be put in the shop as they are available.

At the moment, the speed isn’t as fast as I’d like, so please be a little patient during the launch but if you see anything weird, please drop me a line by hitting “Contact” at the top of the page.  If this turns out to be an issue, I will move the site to another host. For that matter, if you see any glitches, please let me know.  I can only fix what I know about.

If the shop proves to be useful for folks, I’ll start stocking more parts as needed.  So please have a poke around and let me know if there are things you’d like to see here and maybe we can build this into a good source for vintage sewing machine parts and other stuff in Canada.   (For that matter, even though prices in the shop are in Canadian funds, U.S. folks will find that the exchange rate is very much in their favor).  I am currently a dealer for Sewing Machine Services Canada, HA Kidd and Trendtex fabrics (but can only get batting, wide back fabric and thread from them because I’m a long arm quilter and not a bricks and mortar shop).

Aggh!  I forgot to put thread in the shop!  I will be adding some Genziana thread and Organ needles to the shop in coming days.

As always, funds raised in the store go to supporting my ability to bring tutorials and videos to you.

For now, I’ve tried to match the prices of a popular online shop in the US once you factor in the exchange but I hope to be able to put some items on sale every month – because I feel that maintaining and repairing vintage sewing machines should be affordable and I want to help make that a possibility.

I’ve also set shipping to a flat rate of  $15 in Canada and the US – which usually means that I’m slightly subsidizing shipping especially for Eastern Canadians – for now.  Shipping to further locations is way higher than I’d expected but I’m hoping to keep that at $25 for now – again subsidized.  As long as I don’t completely lose my shirt on shipping, these rates will stand.  Large items are excluded from this, of course – most of those have been set to “Local pickup only” because pricing is so variable when it comes to shipping large items and it takes a lot of time to pack them safely but if you really want an item shipped, contact me via the Contact button at the top of the page and let’s see if we can work it out.

Shipping twice a week at this time.  That will increase if needed.

Shipping is via UPS or Canada Post .  It’s worth mentioning that both are seeing pretty big delays right now.  A parcel that I received on Thursday May 14th was sent from Ontario on April 27th via Canada Post and was supposed to be expedited (May 4th was the original arrival prediction).   I’ve heard from a friend in Australia that most mail to there is taking months.  I assume that this is not unique to Canada and Australia.  UPS seems to be doing a bit better, so most of my shipments have been going through them, since they’ve given me a comparable rate to Canada Post’s rates for the next year and a half.

If you’ve read this far, congrats!  Here’s a coupon code to celebrate the official opening of the shop: launch0520 This is good for 10% off regular priced items if you spend $20 or more in the shop (some exceptions apply).   It’s good until the end of June 7th, 2020.