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Monday 12 September 2011

Sewing Machines


I love sewing machines, if you ever come to my studio you will see that immediately, they are everywhere and in all shapes and sizes which is just how I like them.   My first sewing machine was a Toyota and it was shockingly bad at sewing not a good trait for a machine really.  When I started sewing it was to make for a shop in London so I invested in a decent machine which was worth every penny meet my Pfaff.
 She sews beautifully and handles whatever I can throw at her although sadly at the moment she is very poorly and awaiting fixing due to being dropped!  All my other machines are Vintage or Antique ranging from late 1890's to 1970's and a real mix of treadles, hand cranks and electrics.  I try to sew on all of them at some point to keep them moving and because they all have different characters and are such a joy to use.   People often assume that treadles are hard to use and not a fast as modern machines, in some ways they are right, it takes practice to learn to treadle but once you get the knack you can go as fast as a modern machine and get the blood pumping in your legs.  
Hand cranks are perfect and many crafters such as Elsie May & Bertha are turning to them for the precision and control they offer not to mention the lovely sound they make and how safe they are for little sewers.  I have taught a lot of children to sew with hand cranks and they are probably the machine I sell the most of.  I have one in our lounge to sew on during cold winter evenings when the fire is on and we want to all be together.

I do have  a soft spot for vintage electric machines and have been incredibly lucky that all the machines I buy on ebay are in good electrical order or just need a new motor which is often very easy to buy and replace.  I have one machine set up purely to do free motion quilting because it does it better than any machine I have tried on and is set in a lovely table which needed a little love and a lick of paint.

One of the best things about older machines is they are solid, don't break easily and you can maintain them yourself with basic knowledge.  If you are contemplating a sewing machine and don't have a budget for something like a Pfaff then think about a second hand machine, don't be daunted by treadles and hand cranks and really think what you need from a machine, 95% of the time I use straight stitch so older machines are ideal as they sew a very good straight stitch.   If I had to choose only two machines it would be a Hand Crank and a solid 1960's electric that does zig zag. 

We will soon be selling restored treadles and hand cranks as well as offering lessons on how to use and maintain them.  If you are looking for a sewing machine and really don't know where to turn for advice drop me an email, I am always happy to offer assistance and maybe we will have the perfect machine for you.  

Sarah