Got an L.A. County library card? You can use it to check out books ... to gardening tools and sewing machines. "We have a lot of moms, families, parents who will create special clothing, even ...

No kidding: Inside his garage on a recent day, there were at least 30 sewing machines there for sale, repair, trade or parts. Most of them are 70 to 120 years old with intricate etching on metal ...