Friday, July 1, 2016

Lat's talk sewing machines...


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?


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