Oh, I cannot tell the many ways in which a good sewing machine makes the life of a seamstress better. I struggled for 5 years with various machines. One was DH's grandma's hand-me-down, an old Singer from the sixties. I loved it simply because it came from his dear old grandma and a lot of good memories were tied to it. But one day we tried to make sofa cover out of sailcloth with that poor old machine. Bad idea! It died instantly.
After that experience I started looking for a new model to cherish. Soon enough a friend came along and offered to sell me her new(er) Singer machine. Wow, for 150$ I got a Singer Millennium including every attachment you could ever think of. It was fun - for a while.
But when you are a professional and spend 3-4 hours a day sewing let me give you a piece of advice. Don't try to safe money when it comes to your most important tool! Get yourself a good work horse. I am not much of a computer person. I wanted a good, solid, mechanical machine. Not a fancy computerized one. So my first trip was to the Library to do some research on sewing machines. Unfortunately I cannot remember the title of this wonderful book that I found. But it was something cheesy like: How to choose and buy a sewing machine. With the help of the book I was able to figure out what I needed. The book also had great tips on how to set up your machine, and how to take care of it so it won't break again.
I played with the idea of buying an old industrial type machine. Lots of praises were sung about those. I looked at various models for sale on Ebay and etsy. My husband was wringing his hands. Honey, why would you buy someone else's problem? Just get yourself a good new machine from a reputable store in the area where we live. Well, I hate to say it. But as usual, the man was right. He gave me the best advice of all. In the end I went to a local dealer and bought a Bernina 1008. I absolutely love it! It runs as smooth as butter. Over are the days of cursing like a sailor or washerwoman...I am a much happier person. I can rely on this Swiss miracle every day! It has never given me any trouble whatsoever!
It works well on all kinds of fabrics I use for my doll clothes. I work with cotton, flannel, linen, and velour. The velour fabric used to cause the worst problems. The Singer Millennium would get clogged up and eat my fabric ALL the time.
The Bernina is like fine Swiss watch. I did not know that sewing could be so much fun and easy until I bought this machine. Gone are the days of running to the repair shop because of tension problems...Gone are sad days of not being able to get to your custom orders because of a broken machine
If you love sewing: Spend the money and buy a Bernina! And I swear they did not pay me to say those things!
Happy Sewing,
Your German Dollmaker
4 comments:
new machine!! happy days for you!
I totally laughed and relate to yr post as it sounds all to familiar. I recently traded in my mr.'s mom's hand-me-down for a brand new Janome 'sewist525s' what a treat! I even made myself a leather bag with it just because I can! horray for top loading bobbins!
Yes, I did not know until I laid hands on that beautiful Swiss machine. I only wish I had done this years ago...
Nothing more heavenly than the perfect sewing machine! :)
This is so true ~ I have a similar story, except my old machine was given to me by an Aunt whose name I inherited. Many times I literally wanted to curse while sewing with it, and I finally bought a Bernina after more than 10 years of struggle with my old Kenmore. Smooth as butter, and sewing is a distinct pleasure now.
Post a Comment