My mother gave me my singer sewing machine over 20 years ago for my birthday one year. I remember going to the shop and asking for the simplest machine available, I didn’t even want a zig-zag stitch, but they didn’t have any machines that didn’t have zigzag. I was used to my mother’s black Singer from the 1940’s . I’ve been using that machine for 20 years and using it almost everyday for the past 2 years. It still works, but it chugs and plunks and often sounds as if it just won’t go another stitch.
So when I went to the sewing shop in Glens Falls (who even knew there was a sewing machine shop in Glens Falls!) I told the woman I wanted a machine that was inexpensive and not to complicated. Either she was a good sales woman, or she knew what I wanted more than I did. She sold me a computerized Brother (never heard of Brother) quilting machine with about 200 stitches and a special flat bed attachment and 8 different feet. The thing that sold me was the free motion element. This allows me to basically draw with stitches. I think it’s traditionally used to mimic a design in the fabric to be quilted, but I see it as a new creative tool to make, well… I don’t quite know yet.
I spent the night figuring out how to use the machine, and was surprised how simple it really is. It’s a smooth sew, my work done on my Singer actually looks crude compared to the few simple stitches I experimented with. It’s as if I’ve been using stone tools and just entered the bronze age.
Maria, Bet you are in heaven with the new machine!!! By the way (you may already know this) since it is computerized, don’t forget to either plug it into a surge suppressor or unplug it (which is what I do always) when you are finished sewing. We get a lot of thunder storms and I think you do too off and on so you need to protect the machine. Magnets and electrical surges can mess the computer part up.
The work done on your new machine will be beautiful. The work done on your Singer was beautiful. The common thread comes from you, your talent and your spirit, not necessarily the stitch. Keep it coming, Maria.
Brother sewing machines are great. It should last you a long time just like the last. 🙂
Those black Singer sewing machines do the best button holes of any machine created. I think my “dream” sewing machine is the Viking. I used that brand in high school, and later when the high school had sewing classes offered to women from the area. For years I used a Kenmore at home, one I had since 9th grade, until it couldn’t be used. Then I had a Brother sewing machine. Later for Christmas 2003, I got a Singer Quilt and Sew.
Maria, do you use a rotary cutter, and a cutting board? I’ve been told I use “stone age” scissors to cut my quilt pieces. I’ve been lectured by another quilter for that. I’ll have to break down and get a cutter and a cutting board, I suppose.
A lot of of the essential stuff in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on attempting when there seemed to be no hope at all