Friday, July 13, 2018

How to buy a good sewing machine


I am thrilled to hear people say they want to get started with sewing! Sometimes it feels like it's a dying art, but Pinterest has really opened some wonderful avenues for crafting inspiration!

The question I often hear online is, "What sewing machine should I get? Is this a good one?"

My first question is, "What do you want to accomplish? Are you sewing garments, home decorating, quilting?" To me, it all depends on what you want to do. And how much you want to spend.
The beloved Singer Touch 'n Sew
Source: www.terapeak.com

From what I've seen, the Brother models available through places like Walmart are very popular. They're a mid-priced machine for someone looking to spend a little money but not break the bank who might be just starting out. However, I'm not sure how great it is when you need technical support or repairs done. Often many ladies in sewing forums or through Facebook groups have advice to offer on using them and what they think.

My suggestions:

• Find out what you want to use it for. If you're getting into quilting, you may want something that offers more stitch options. If you're doing more garment sewing, something with a buttonhole feature - either manual or automatic - might work best for you.
• How much do you want to spend? There are some great used ones that often go for a song, and even if you factor in repairs and tune ups wouldn't cost you that much to get started.

• Ask questions and then read reviews. Ultimately it will probably come down to personal preference and what a person is used to. When I bought mine, I had only really sewn with Singer sewing machines and was ready to spend some money and get something a little more sophisticated. After much research, my personal preference is Pfaff,  but someone else's might be Bernina or Janome. If you go to a repair shop or dealer, you will be able to try out the machine first, something you can't do as easily when ordering online.

• Look in thrift stores or garage sales. Even a repair shop probably has several great models for less that are used but still work great. The dealer can tell you something about them, knows about their strengths and weaknesses and can repair them. Plus they are more likely to be worth repairing should something go wrong. I have seen several old Singer Touch 'n Sew models (a terrific machine for a beginner!) like the one I learned on, and if there's a problem you can either opt to get it fixed or chuck it since you didn't invest that much in it to begin with (I think I spent $7 on the last one).

• Avoid toy sewing machines. I've seen these at places like Target (I think my mom even bought me one one time, for some reason) and while it seems good for a kid starting out, I can see where it would be frustrating and end up in the donation pile pretty quickly. Find a relative with one they're not using to teach your child a few basics and see how they like it. Otherwise, if they decide to continue, I'd suggest looking for one at one of the thriftier options mentioned above.

• Some newer machines are partially or fully computerized, which can lead to more costly tune ups and repairs. If you're willing to commit to that, go for it. If not, you may want to stick with an older machine. I hear from many dealers that newer Singers are more plastic than metal like the old workhorses, but again, that is up to you, your personal preference, and what you want to use it for.

Happy sewing!

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Celebrating Handmade: Japan's Indigo Farmers

As part of a celebration of all things handmade, I would like to regularly feature a post or article about craftsmen and women who create one-of-a-kind items: whether it's intricate and elaborate, simple and heartfelt, reflects a long tradition or is quirky and unique. In our era of mass-produced fast fashion and disposable culture, it's often easy to forget there is a real person and talent behind these amazing items!

This week: Japan's indigo farmers, a passionate, dying breed of talent that is threatening to be replaced completely by mechanization. Check out the link to find out how these amazing pieces are created in what is a tremendous labor of love. Great Big Story: True Blue: Indigo Dyeing in Japan


Japanese indigo cloth. Source: http://tetotetote-sendai.jp/shoaihiyashizome/index.html




Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Celebrating Handmade: Parachute wedding gowns

As part of a celebration of all things handmade, I would like to regularly feature a post or article about craftsmen and women who create one-of-a-kind items: whether it's intricate and elaborate, simple and heartfelt, reflects a long tradition or is quirky and unique. In our era of mass-produced fast fashion and disposable culture, it's often easy to forget there is a real person and talent behind these amazing items!

This week: parachute wedding gowns?

Months ago I came across a FaceBook post about a woman who had made a silk wedding gown for herself out of her soldier-husband's military parachute during World War II. If there isn't anything more romantic than that, I don't know what is. 
Smithsonian National Museum of American History 
Major Claude Hensinger was forced to bail out of his aircraft in August 1944 and both he - and the parachute - survived. He later proposed to his girlfriend Ruth, who took the dress to a local seamstress and had her make a Gone With the Wind-inspired bridal gown out of the material. In those days, many materials - including silk - went straight to the war effort, so fancy fabric was in short supply. The couple married in 1947, and since then two other brides have worn the gown before it was donated to The Smithsonian

Not surprisingly, there are many other examples of parachute wedding gowns that survive the war and some dire circumstances. 

Jewish bride Lili Lax used her war-time cigarette rations to pay a seamstress to sew her wedding gown, made from a parachute that her fiancĂ© had obtained from a former German airman in trade for "2 pounds of coffee and cigarettes." After her miraculous survival from a number of concentration camps, she met her husband Ludwig, in 1945, and together they and their daughter arrived in New York in 1948. After Lili's wedding, she sent the dress to dozens more brides for their special day.

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Accession Number: 1999.7.12. a