Wednesday, March 24, 2021

Mystery Bin

One of the things I have enjoyed during the pandemic is online auctions. I always keep my eye out for antique machines that might want to be adopted into my herd.

Max and the mystery bin!
This past week I was bidding on a 1936 Singer hand crank sewing machine that I really wanted, but at the last minute a new bidder jumped the price too high for my budget and I wasn't able to get it. But I did console myself with bidding on a plastic bin of mystery contents, which I won!

The bin and contents cost me $12.50. I quite like the turquoise colour of the bin and like that it's translucent to vaguely see the contents in storage. I plan to fill it up with UFOs!

But what was inside? Here are the quilting related things - a fleece throw kit, a fabric book kit, some fabric markers, and a big bag of buttons.

There were also several tins, some that went to a thrift shop (altoids, etc) and 3 that I kept. I really like the Amatller tin which is from a chocolate company in Barcelona. I will keep tiny fabric collections in these tins.


There was also a stack of blank canvases that will go to an artist friend. 

Even though I didn't purchase the item I had hoped to, I was quite pleased with this auction treasure, and will keep searching for the elusive hand crank sewing machine that will one day join the herd.

18 comments:

Kathy S. said...

It's always fun to win a mystery bin. Funny that you refer to your machines as "the herd". Cute cute. Have a great day!

Stitchin At Home said...

Which online auction? Mystery packages can be interesting.

Chopin - A Passionate Quilter said...

Hum, never seen a mystery bin - must be on EBay! Neat things inside! Cutest puppy!

Maggie said...

I can understand why you want the Singer handcrank. Our one is with our eldest son, when he moved out he wanted it to help him mend his wife's jeans. It belonged to his great grandmother. So he has the machine and if he ever decide it was no longer his cup of tea, he will send it back our way. They are amazing for sewing when one has no power, it just require some muscle power! Great mystery box, canvasses cost what you paid for the mystery box, so you got a winner!

Juliana said...

I really, really enjoyed this post, probably in part because I clicked onto the link to The Herd!! I LOVED the stories of all your machines. Could you share how you find these online auctions?

Julierose said...

I have never heard of an Ebay consolation prize either!! that is a nice bin of goodies you won...enjoy hugs, Julierose

Linda said...

A novel auction to me here in the UK. Never heard of Mystery Boxes but you had an exciting one. Good that some of the contents you could use and others you could pass on to others.

Chris said...

I have a hand crank sewing machine I am willing to part with. Sad to say, it is missing a major part that prevents it from being fully functional. I might even have a spare bobbin.

Ivani said...

How many sewing machines are there in the herd, for now?

Chantal said...

You piqued my curiosity with this mystery bin auction. May I know the website you are using, please? I know, the more you say it the more binders there'll be against you. I still would like to know which site you trust. ;^)

Cynthia@wabi-sabi-quilts said...

Wow, this is awesome - what a deal. I've never heard of an auction like this!

Anonymous said...

Mac is adorable! Cool mystery tub contents.

Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com

Ruth said...

I enjoyed reading about your sewing machine "herd" - I have one that is living in my garage. It needs work and has been out there for several years, but there are lots of heavy boxes stacked around it and I can't get to it. I too only have one machine with a zigzag stitch, a basic brother. A table top Singer blackhead, and a 1947 Singer blackhead in a cabinet that runs so quietly you can hardly hear it. Her needle goes up and down as the bobbin is wound, so I don't wind bobbins on her. I move that cabinet machine to sit at the end of the table when I am quilting a large quilt on the table. One featherweight, and I have no fear of it wearing out. I might as well get the use out of it as someone else, after all! Nova Montgomery teaches how to keep them going. I have my mom's singer 15-91, still in use as my main machine.
Thanks for this post!

Lisa in Port Hope said...

I read your herd page, and I think they must be breeding when you're not looking...I will buy a handcrank one day.

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

If we could get it across the border, I'd set you up with a Singer hand crank. I have several Singer's waiting to be cleaned and find new homes. Any particular model you are looking for (66, 15, long bobbin)?

Jenny said...

What fun I would never had thought of bidding on a mystery sewing bin!

Melisa- pinkernpunkinquilting said...

Great purchase, Kathy with all kinds of goodies . Hope you find a crank Singer soon.

Sarah said...

What a great idea, I love the thought of buying a mystery box. Glad some of the items were useful. Gail, the cosy quilter, sent my new granddaughter a fabric book she made and Amber loves looking at it!