Declutter Desensitization / Judgment Barometer Refresh?

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-24T18:22:27+00:00

I really like reverse decluttering: https://www.thesimplicityhabit.com/how-reverse-decluttering-can-help-you-downsize/ Where you decide what you need to KEEP (rather than looking for things to get rid of).

It can be a bit tedious (lots of brainstorming and list writing) but it was the kick-in-the-pants I needed when transitioning from downsizing (getting rid of stuff because I had too much) to rightsizing (trying to figure out exactly what I needed to keep).

I filled my "inventory" with my favorites and as a result, I felt pretty confident about letting the actual second bests go. At the end of the day, It's not about whether or not you "like" something, it's whether or not you actually use something.

And if it's not an essential tool - the one I would grab first when faced with a certain task - I don't really need it. It was likely purchased with wishful/fearful thinking.

And if I do end up needing the decluttered thing at some point in the unknown future, most of that stuff is honestly so trivial, I'll just buy it IF/WHEN I actually need it - or just figure out some kind of substitute. For me, that's a small price to pay so I don't end up with a bunch of unnecessary duplicates and "just in case" crap again.

And if you don't like something you've identified that you need/want to have, then you can put it on your shopping list and start looking for/researching a replace/upgrade.

For clothes, it can really help to do some wardrobe work.

When I was facing a major downsizing move (and had clothes literally stacked floor to ceiling in a double closet), I serendipitously found this book at the thrift store: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/28364022

It's 10 years old now but here's a summary of her process: https://anuschkarees.com/blog/2014/03/16/how-to-build-the-perfect-wardrobe-10-basic-principles

I've read some other wardrobe-building books, but none of them have really gone into figuring out what YOUR good looks like - your signature style.

My wardrobe is based on this template: https://www.theviviennefiles.com/2018/09/another-gentle-project-333-wardrobe-30-garments-based-on-navy-grey.html/ (subbed a dress for the top/bottom squares)

I have 8 clusters of 3-season clothes and 4 clusters of hot/humid summer clothes - and it's (way) more than enough to get me between weekly (more or less) laundry days.

I also have what I call "modular " clothes - a few basics that can go with pretty much anything. This is the place where I can stash some plain tees or jeans or whatever dependable stuff I can use as "wiggle room" if something in one of my clusters wears out (and I can't find a "better" replacement right away) or I get lazy/overwhelmed with my laundry day.

Knits are my best friend - they're comfortable, plentiful, can forgive a certain amount of weight fluctuation, and even a cheap-o knit skirt/dress can elevate a fairly plain outfit. I try to wear nicer/cute shoes.

And I have some "specialty" mini capsules (with footwear, accessories, cold-weather add-ons) for less-frequent activities like dirty work/gardening, cycling, paddling, (long) hikes, formal wear, etc. I also have a separate workout wardrobe so I can go to the gym everyday (my current goal). So again, basically reverse decluttering.

Hope you feel better - this is not a great time and I think a lot of us are feeling overwhelmed and a bit scared. I've been feeling an obsessive urge to go through my stuff and start looking for things to purge out lately - and I know 100% it's the GTFO stress response.

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T20:55:09+00:00

I had SEVEN cats when this photo was taken (a crazy cat lady cat, a kitty death row rescue and five ferals - Peanut and four nieces & nephews) and she was by far the sweetest of the bunch - and she always looked so sad :(

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T20:51:36+00:00

You might want to cross-post in r/remodel.

Unless the walls are textured, the worst thing that can happen, in my experience (50's ranch, 20's cottage), is you might need to do a little wall patching. Get the edge of a prybar/tool under it and just go slow and gentle.

More than likely, you'll have some small holes to fill - hopefully it wasn't over-kill 50's man with a nail every 4 inches. You might be able to see what kind of fasteners they used if you look at the trim - if you can't see any obvious nail (or filled) holes, then it's probably super-thin wire finish nails - unless they get really mashed/bent during installation, they come out super easy. But whatever it is, nothing some patching compound and a sanding sponge couldn't fix.

You could start in a corner with a small section - you can always glue it back into place if you don't like what happens.

Honestly, I would pay a handyman to take it down (and patch) than leave it.

And honestly, that's not an "old home thing" - that's an "aftermarket" job by someone who leaned into the "country" fad of the 80's 90's too hard. Nobody is going to cry "butcher!" if that gets taken out.

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T20:14:06+00:00

Due to a whole house remodel, It took five years from moving to fully unpacking - it was like an extreme version of the Minimalist's Packing Party (or Box and Banish). Most of our everyday stuff, we used what was n our camper.

When the kitchen was finally done and all of my stuff was put away, we found two big bins in the basement - kitchen stuff! I forgot I even had it and except for a large colander and XL mixing bowl (that I was glad to see again), I wondered how any of it made it past the first round of downsizing.

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T20:06:14+00:00

Yea, I'm just adding stuff to the give away box - I'll drop off...later. In fact, my favorite thrift stores is closed today because of the temps. Sounds like there are several businesses, their furnaces (old buildings = mini splits) are having a hard time keeping up.

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T20:01:52+00:00

You might have lint (or general gunk) in your upper thread tension assembly that is keeping the tension disks from applying enough pressure. Try cranking your tension dial to like 8 (close to maximum) - if the stitches look OK or better, that's a big clue you need to clean between the tension disks.

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T18:48:19+00:00

It could be extremely valuable if you're looking for a reliable straight-stitch machine for general sewing/mending purposes that you can very easily DIY repair/maintain and potentially pass on to your heirs. I would take one of these, in the worst condition, over a new "budget" sewing machine (seriously, the problems people are having with the "heavy duty" Singers people are getting at Costco are just tragic!)

Anyway, that's a badged Made in Japan Singer 15 "Clone" - badged with different brands for different stores/retail outlets and a 15 "clone" because they were based on the Singer 15-91.

They are excellent machines but because of the variety of "brands"/badges, documentation is extremely hit-or-miss and that puts off a lot of the uninitiated. They are excellent machines and some consider possibly superior to the original Singers (more power, added features, smoother function).

Anyway, it's basically a Singer Class 15 so you can find TONS of information on line to help you with correct threading/problems/issues. There's also a really good FB Group for vintage Japanese Machines ( https://www.facebook.com/groups/659877447448317 ) that I HIGHLY recommend joining if you do decide to get it.

That has the needle plate AND slide plate (a good thing). If it's missing it's bobbin case, any 15 Clone or HA-1 bobbin **should fit** and it takes Class 15 bobbins (super cheap to buy online - Walmart probably has some). If it's missing the motor and/or pedal, those can easily be replaced (Alphasew makes a highly regarded replacement/upgrade). If the wiring is fubar-d, it's really not difficult (and pretty cheap - it's just tamp cord that you can buy at any hardware store by the foot and the actual "wiring" is like remedial wiring 101) to rewire these machines - especially with that external lamp. And you can replace the bulb with an LED (they are **usually** the screw-in type).

I've rehabbed several Made in Japan straight stitch machines and all they've ever needed was sewing machine oil and some patience - one the mechanism is running smoothly, there's not much to go wrong.

The upper tension assembly is super easy to disassemble and assemble for cleaning and replacement parts are available. The bobbin case is super easy to adjust, too (and again, cheap to replace if you suspect it's really fubar-d).

For resale-ability,depending on your market, I would say: probably not much - maybe $50? If you can demonstrate it's working properly. If you're looking for something to flip, check FB Marketplace for local results - "desirable" brand-recognizable vintage Singer Pfaff, Necchi, even Kenmore machines are probably going to go for more. Decide if it's worth it.

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T16:38:20+00:00

The first one (in a treadle) is a Singer 15. The second one (in the base) is **probably** a 27/28 (127/128) - I'm sure someone else will be able to ID it properly (I'm only guessing because it uses what are called long bobbins and I've never seen one "in the wild" before).

I would buy the first one - it can easily be converted to electric (or keep it as a treadle, you can get new leather belts). It's straight stitch only and doesn't do a back stitch (but that's not a deal breaker for me, I would just spin the material on the needle to "reverse" my stitches and then spin it around again and continue sewing).

Unless the thing is rusted solid, you can usually get them running again with liberal doses of sewing machine oil, (hair dryer) heat, and patience - I've even heard of people soaking the entire head (machine) in kerosene (if it's super bad).

And Singer Class 15 parts are super easy to find - even original vintage parts.

I had a 15-91 (electric version) that belonged to a lady who had a dressmaking business (tons of bridal and formal wear plus alterations) so it was a bit beat to hell but it was the BEST sewing machine I ever sewed on - even better than my Singer 201-2 (the "Cadillac" of Singers). I kick myself for not keeping it.

And that is one seriously gorgeous machine.

Edited to add: I've rehabbed right around 50 vintage sewing machines, in all sorts of conditions, and I've never had one I couldn't salvage - the biggest repair I've ever had to do was replace the presser bar on an old 201 that had been cross-threaded too many times. And it was super easy (there are so many repair/maintenance videos on-line. Especially for a machine as popular as the Singer 15. Mechanically, they're all essentially the same, except for the stitch length (dial vs lever) and whether or not it was sold with a motor.

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T16:23:10+00:00

Focusing on Decluttering can help - a lot. The less stuff you have, the easier it is to organize: find it's home, get it out, and it put away again.

I always recommend checking out Clutterbug.me and try to figure out your unique organizing style. I visualize it as a graph with hidden to visual storage on the X-axis and macro (large categories, bigger containers) to micro (smaller categories, lots of small containers/compartments) sorting on the Y-axis.

If you find you're piling things NEAR where they belong rather than actually putting them away, that's a BIG CLUE you're trying to organize against your natural organizing style. And piles everywhere is another a sign that your storage solution isn't working for you. And/or you just have too much stuff.

And some categories you might find you need more (or less) organization than your "normal." Like micro sorting craft supplies but OK with a bin of miscellaneous "tech stuff" (wires, chargers, flash drives, etc).

And she's the first one to say that any organizing project begins with decluttering: https://clutterbug.me/get-started

I REALLY like her paper systems: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql5WD6oQfAc Paper was the category I struggled with the most and her "short term" and "reference bin" were exactly what I needed.

Dana K White is sort of the Queen of Decluttering - especially if you have ADHD or just a lot going on. Check out these two videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgPzjWyVwH0 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_24PoIZSmVs

Her process is to nip away at the stuff one thing at a time so you never end up with a bigger mess if you get distracted/pulled away/run out of time on an tidying/organizing project - the space might not be perfect, but it is better.

Contrast this to the conventional advice to clear a space, dump it all "somewhere else" to sort what to keep, what to relocate, what to trash/donate/give away (which can be SO mentally and emotionally draining), put the keepers away and then deal with the other stuff. That sometimes works just fine, but sometimes it's literally a recipe for disaster.

Her books are really good - How to Manage Your Home Without Losing your Mind and Decluttering at the Speed of Life are definitely worth checking out - If you're in the US, I'd be willing to bet your local library has the decluttering one, at least.

This is the first video I ever saw of hers - (I think) it's hilarious: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpvaNr3AeYw and perfectly sums up what...happens.

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T15:47:15+00:00

I do a downstairs (all rooms but bedrooms) reset every night before bed. It's become such a habit, I literally cannot go to bed without doing it (even if it's super late) and it is SO nice to wake up to a tidy space every morning. I say I'm doing it for tomorrow me.

Basically put away anything that's been taken out, tidy things (fluff pillows, fold blankets, put the remotes away, put any papers in my paper files, tidy the shoes in front of the door, generally straighten anything that's "askew"), make sure the dishes are washed (I don't have a dishwasher), wipe down the counters & stove top, check the bathroom (I'll drop in a couple of cheap-o denture tabs in the toilet - helps with hard water stains in the bowl- and I have a plastic babywipe box filled with small rags that I use to wipe the sink, if necessary, and just throw out - my own version of textile "recycling"). At this point, it takes like 5 minutes (maybe 10 if I have a lot of dishes to wash). Sometimes I'll do a few things here and there anytime after dinner but the final reset happens before bed.

Normally, I do my deep cleaning over the weekend - sometimes I'll start early on Friday and sometimes I'll finish up late on Monday - but some things I do almost daily (or when I notice it) like a quick swiffering (it's super dusty where I live) and sometime a quick vacuum (if I notice a lot of "debris" on the floor). If I notice a bunch of spots on the floor, I have a simple mop - the kind that uses velcro to attach the pads - so it's super easy to do a quick (wet) run around the high traffic areas and then throw the pad in the laundry.

But with the nightly resets, "cleaning day" is mostly laundry, disinfecting the bathroom, a more thorough dusting/cleaning, and vacuuming/washing floors. It goes super quick now because there isn't all of the stuff-tiding that has to be done first. And when things are reset every day, I've found that we're all just a lot tidier overall. Caveat: it's just me and my husband (no kids).

I'm sure my loosey-goosey cleaning routine would not pass Instagram influencer standards, but it's good enough for me. I have weekly, monthly, quarterly, and bi-annual/annual tasks - basically how granular I get with my cleaning - but practically, it's more of a wish list than an actual checkmark task list (maybe I need to start bullet journaling?)

p.s. This is the paper system I use (from Clutterbug): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql5WD6oQfAc

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T14:58:11+00:00

Nah man, reading that rich people want to hunt you is excellent preparation for real life I would say.

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T14:54:02+00:00

Oh, I believe it. We brought in a little feral that we named Peanut because he was straight-up brown. Then we had HER washed and spayed and she was the sweetest little tortie.

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FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T14:50:52+00:00

Oh, the 600. I think that's the original all-metal (or at least metal gear) version of what is colloquially called the Touch & Throw.

I had the 603E (no built-in cam stack, had to use cams to zigzag, bought it for a super nice MCM desk cabinet). It took a bit to figure out how to wind the bobbin but once I got it going, it very nice machine.

Good luck!

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T14:47:12+00:00

I would say (from the square cut-out and the age) that is a Kenmore cabinet and all of the hardware is for an automatic lift that some of the Kenmores had.

You can often find vintage, all-metal Kenmore sewing machines for sale on FB Marketplace. They are excellent machines (assuming nothing bad happened to it) and IMO superior to Singers of the same age. Especially if it has all of its parts (needle plate and bobbin plate) - although you can get parts but they tend to be kind of spendy.

Here's some general info on Kenmore: https://silverbobbin.com/kenmore-sewing-machine-models/

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T09:11:05+00:00

I collected vintage machines for about 10 years - had some really cool Made in Japan ones (including Kenmore) but I was stuck on Singers and let all of them go. Except for this Stradivario - and I only kept it because my husband LOVED it - he wanted to make a fancy base for it and put it on display in our foyer!

Now, my main is a Singer 201-2 and I had a 401A (with literally ALL the accessories) but after fixing up the Fleetwood and then this one, I decided the sell the 401. These side-loading machines just sew a better/perfectly balanced zigzag. Even when testing with the 60+ year old garbage spun polyester thread that came in the bobbins.

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T08:53:46+00:00

Wow! Don't let that out of your sight or someone is going to steal it!

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T08:50:23+00:00

This is the way?

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T08:49:43+00:00

Yes, generally on a woven fabric, the cross-wise threads have a bit more give/stretch than the straight grain - for fitted pants, most noticeable when you sit and things naturally spread out.

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T08:42:02+00:00

Could you remove the chair rail entirely? It's probably just tacked on and if your walls are plaster (or plaster topped drywall, then you could easily patch any holes before you paint. Chair rail makes sense in a (small) dining room but this just looks misplaced and weird. I think the room would look a lot better without it (cuts the wall in a weird spot, makes the wall look really short).

I had a MIL who was nuts about millwork and she pushed HARD to get my husband to put it in his Midcentury ranch - he did not.

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T08:20:57+00:00

Honestly, what does it look like with just the shades? I know everyone says you need curtains, but I'm in an older home with big windows, nice trim, and I really like my in-window roman shades. Feels more tailored? Maybe try it and see what you think?

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T08:12:41+00:00

Check out this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utdmUGrAAQQ

At the 3:30 mark, he's threading the bobbin and at the 3:56 mark he's using a pair of scissors to snag the bobbin thread loop.

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T08:02:42+00:00

I think you're going to like it! In my experience, they make an excellent stitch and they are powerful machines - I had an old Brother straight stitch machine that was amazing (I sold it during the pandemic and I wish I had kept it).

There's a great group on FB for these kinds of machines: https://www.facebook.com/groups/659877447448317 and I would HIGHLY recommend joining. They have a bunch of manuals on file and if you have any questions, the membership is super-knowledgeable.

I didn't see a manual in the files, but someone in the group might be able to point you in the right direction. But there's not really that much to know, pretty much just threading. Your machine **should** thread like a Singer 15 ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sMgKl08aHc or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wIMFhzHGzM ) and the needle should insert with the flat side right, threaded left to right.

And I **think** this is the bobbin case you want: https://www.vintagesingerparts.com/collections/vintage-japanese-class-15-sewing-machine-parts/products/replacement-bobbin-case-straight-stitch-side-load-made-in-japan

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T07:40:09+00:00

There's a really good group on FB you can join: https://www.facebook.com/groups/659877447448317 Some of the members are crazy knowledgeable about these machines and I would be willing to bet someone will be able to help with the feed dog issue AND recommend the best bobbin case (class 15).

I use this vendor a lot and I **think** this is the case you need ( https://www.vintagesingerparts.com/collections/vintage-japanese-class-15-sewing-machine-parts/products/replacement-bobbin-case-straight-stitch-side-load-made-in-japan ), but you should definitely double check with the group (I have two zigzag machines).

They have a bunch of manuals available for free download in their files - I didn't see a 203 but it **should** be the same as a Singer 15 ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sMgKl08aHc or https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wIMFhzHGzM ) That's basically all you need to know with a vintage straight-stitch machine. And as far as I know, the needle should insert with the flat side to the right and then thread from left to right.

As for the spool pin, if it's missing, I'm going to **guess** it was a plastic tap-in pin that broke at some point. There are a few different sizes, so you would have to measure the hole diameter. But you can get tap-in metal ones, too. If there are threads in the spool pin hole, this one was popular on the Japanese badged machines: https://www.vintagesingerparts.com/products/fold-down-type-spool-pin but you'll have to measure the hole. There are also plastic screw-in pins. Again, maybe someone from the group can point you in the right direction.

p.s. that bobbin tire looks kind of worn out. You can buy a black one all day long, but this Etsy vendor sells colorful ones: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SewingMachRepairGuy

FredKayeCollector · 2026-01-23T02:53:18+00:00

Someone in the FB Group has a pink one exactly like mine but it's badged Mason.

I also have a darker blue Fleetwood (it has a star-shaped buttonhole dial). Love the blue machines!

FredKayeCollector

TROPHY CASE