My Grammy taught me to quilt, She hand quilted everything on a large floor frame. When she taught me to sew, she had a treadle and several other machines, She was retired and did a lot of sewing for her church. I learned on her treadle and then on her Western Electric (pre-Singer). I am the proud owner for this machine and she still works. I have also acquired a treadle (above)-yes it is in working order,
I think everyone who can afford one should have a treadle. Why? Well--it keeps a tradition alive. In our household traditions are important. Fiddler on the Roof kind of important. (If you haven't seen the movie or stage show--you should). Also-power outs due to snow, fire, high heat over-consumption blackout--I can still sew other than by hand, And oh--no power in the zombie apocalypse-no prob! :-)
In high school our school had all singer machines. Mostly the new singer slant needle auto winding bobbin ones--hated them, Did as little sewing on them as I could get away with, preferring my moms Kenmore (i do not know who was badging when hers was made--I don't remember when she got it) She only did mending on it. The most awesome thing I ever made on it was a George Washington costume for my little brother, I made all my own clothes.
My Senior year in High School bought my own machine. It was a gently used White that I had 21 years before the sewing machine repair guy told me I sewed it to death. Lots of quilts and kids clothes. I replaced it with a used Pfaff 1471 that I still have, I have replaced a motor and a foot petal--but it is one of the old Pfaff's that was well built. I also bought my first serger then--a used singer 4 thread-I still own this as well -it is a *@$^@*$( to thread, but still does what i need it to do,
About 7 years ago I bought a Pfaff 2140, loved it at first.It has become the only machine I have regretted owning, the reason I will NEVER buy another PFAFF (unless I find a really good deal on another 1471 for parting in the future.) This is a really long ugly story I have already blogged in the past.
I got this Babylock neat little traveling machine (an Audrey that they don't make anymore) Its purpose is to drag to classes (yes I teadch-but I still take classes)that don't provide machines--lightweight and is a good stitcher.
I want one of these badly
Maybe I will hit the lottery? Or art quilt purchasing will pick up on an economic uptick :-)
These two need restoring--one I am pretty sure just need new cord, the other need a few more parts-but looks like all her guts are in good shape--they just really need time spent on them...
But--oh, yeah--it is the 1st of July--I really need to get busy on Christmas gifts--but I do have a birthday gift to make first, oh, and a couple of baby shower things, and a couple of house warming gifts..and--well you sewers know...
So to wrap this up- buy the best machine you can afford and you LIKE to sew on. Don't buy a machine you have'net test driven unless its a screaming deal you can afford to be disappointing in.
Try to score a treadle and learn how to use it..
Most important: SEW STUFF!!
What are you sewing?
