Ode to My Singer
I’ve got exciting news. Ok, only a few of you who’ve been here since this blog was born will appreciate this, but it’s a big day around here. I’ve got curtains. In the living room. I’m so proud of how patient I’ve been. And now they’re hanging. I’ll post pics in a day or two, but for now, I’m a little tired. Because, contrary to my original plan, I actually sewed them myself. All 16 yards. It felt like miles.My sewing machine & I spent a lot of quality time together over the past several days. And it made me think of everything we’ve been thru together over the past 15 years. My machine was there for me even thru my days of pastel florals & hunter green and burgundy stripes. And that’s only the beginning. I couldn’t begin to calculate the number of yards we’ve sewn together. My Singer is one of my closest friends. That either makes me really pathetic or just really thankful to have a dependable machine. Either way, I say all this to say that you don’t have to have a really fancy expensive machine to make amazing things. Fifteen years ago this Christmas, my husband bought me a very basic Singer with just a few types of stitches & I have decorated & re-decorated every house we’ve lived in & even some of my friends’ houses. And I still love it.He’s offered over and over to buy me a new state-of-the-art machine. But I’m not ready. I’ve been thru a lot with my little Singer. And we still have some great times ahead.So, what kind of relationship do you have with your machine?
kathie
October 11, 2010 @ 2:18 am
That is great!! My mom still uses hers ~ it is a black singer with a shiny enamel finish that her dad bought her as a child. Still works perfectly! My MIL bought me mine about 7 years ago (also a singer) and I LOVE it. 16 yards, huh? That is quite an accomplishment, can't wait to see them!
Kim
October 11, 2010 @ 2:23 am
It's a love hate thing. I love using my machine, given to me by my father in Law, though I don't think my machine likes the bright light of day. I have so far sewn a valance for the window and the seat of my hubby's pants 🙂 I'm still learning!!
NanaDiana
October 11, 2010 @ 2:28 am
I love my machine too! I have a Viking and it is just a super dooper work horse. I had a NewHome that I gave my daughter a couple of years ago. Before that I had a Singer that I literally burned the motor out of after using it for almost 20 years. It was a work horse too. The one I have now has lots of features and the sad thing is that I only use the good old basic ones. I go in spurts and spells…sewing or not sewing…I need to get my machine out again! Hugs…Diana
edie
October 11, 2010 @ 2:44 am
well, i am completely in love with my viking. i bought it on ebay from yard sale money and it's smooth like silk. whenever you upgrade, definitely consider a viking. it reminds me of how i felt after i got my espresso machine. regular coffee was never the same.
i agree with nanadiana though—i only use a handful of functions on it.
can't wait to see you window treatments 🙂
Goings on at the Glenn's
October 11, 2010 @ 2:47 am
I too have a love for my machine. Mine came from my husband's grandmother. It is a TANK! It weighs more than my 4 yr old. Ok maybe that's an exaggeration but not much. Its one of those ones that folds into a sewing machine table. I love it. I have since received a serger for Christmas from my hubby and love her too. But my Singer is definitely one of my bestest friends too.
Stephanie
October 11, 2010 @ 3:50 am
Oh how funny you say that about your sewing machine, I feel the same way! I have the most basic sewing machine ever and it never fails me. I even bought one of those fancy ones about 3 years ago and it just sits, I hated it, way too complicated. So I am going to put it on Craigs List, tired of looking at it.
Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions
October 11, 2010 @ 11:50 am
Actually, my Singer is sitting on my dining room table at the moment waiting for me to move it back into the kitchen for a few more little projects. I've had mine almost 25 years, and yes, it is not 100% intact, but it works and sews and that's what is important. I suppose if I sewed a lot I might look into a newer model with the bells and whistles, but even when I go to replace this one at some point, I'm sure I'll still with something basic.
Anonymous
October 11, 2010 @ 12:31 pm
My singer and I just became aquainted two weeks ago! So we are still learning each other.. although we did make pillows for the front porch without outside assistance. And while pillows do not seem like such a huge accomplishment,we were very proud of ourselves!
Your blog is always so interesting to read, Julie! I look forward to every new post. Maybe someday my singer and I will tackle curtains… SCARY!
Melody Yates
Melody
Anonymous
October 11, 2010 @ 5:27 pm
My favorite sewing machine of all time is my 40+ year old singer. They just don't make them like that anymore! Can't wait to see your curtains!
Julie Harrell
Jenna
October 29, 2010 @ 11:23 pm
We just started dating 🙂 I really have no idea what to do. Hemmed a couple of pants, and made a few pillow cases, but not exactly sure what we are doing. Sometimes it likes me, sometimes not, sometimes I am love with it, sometimes the opposite. I am hoping to have a good relationship soon.