Tuesday 10 August 2010

A Vintage Sewing Machine


The lavender is coming on brilliantly so at the weekend I went out to buy some fabric to make some lavender hearts. I would quite like to have a mixture of materials for the hearts, so my aim is to buy a few different fabrics every week and build up my collection.

With all this extra fabric I think I will start to sew a bit more. I say a bit more, but I have only actually made one cushion and the lavender hearts will be sewn by hand. I need something to do so I can use my sewing machine.

This sewing machine is one of my best ever buys. They are surprisingly cheap (mine cost just £15 and I got it from an online ad) because even though they are decorative and beautiful, there are a lot of them out there. Never pay a large price for a sewing machine like this because they really are worth pence.

(For an example of just how many of these things there are – this is a shop here in Brighton that has used these sewing machines to decorate their window display).


But I’m not bothered about what it’s worth! I’m bothered about what it cost (almost nothing) and how little it cost compared to other sewing machines (£60 for a cheap standard one that doesn’t even look nice!). My sewing machine doesn’t sit in a cupboard when it isn’t being used… it sits proudly on display, inviting people to marvel at its beauty. It’s both functional and ornamental and that is why I love it.

Of course, with only having made one cushion so I am in fact a complete novice when it comes to sewing. I don’t need all the fancy attachments because I only want to make simple things. I will buy a fancy one when I need a fancy one, but for now I want basic function and gorgeousness.

The thing about this sewing machine is that it really does look expensive. It adds a sense of grandeur to my cookery bookcase and that makes me happy. If you can find a 1920s Singer or Frister and Rossman sewing machine… buy it. Buy it now. You really won’t regret it. Trust me.

5 comments:

  1. I've seen several bloggers, in the past few months, going on and on about their "featherlites", or other similar machines. Are they really, really fun to sew on??? I think my grandmother might have had one...I'm not sure where it's gotten to now. It might still be in her old bedroom. I should take a look!!! Please let me know how they are to work with...

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  2. Fun to sew on, yes, but I don't think they're the best things to sew with - mine is a hand crank so you don't have total control of the material (as you can only use one hand to guide it while the other is turning the wheel) - which is still easy, don't get me wrong, but I can imagine not as good as something experienced people are used to.

    I don't do any complex sewing, so it's good for me. Once I do a few more things I'll let you know how they come out!

    (but for now, I do much prefer having it as a lovely display piece!)

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  3. I had never thought of the lack of gadgetry on a vintage machine would be beneficial for a beginner. Among my mom's machines is a piece a few years newer than this one. I might have to ask her to break that out to teach me.

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  4. I find it easy to make easy things so I guess it is good for a beginner. But I have used electric machines and found them fine, too.

    I think the one positive with a vintage for beginners is that you can really do it at your own pace rather than with a foot pedal (which I remember really scaring me when I was younger!)

    If anything, though, they make you want to sew because they're too pretty to not want to play with!

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  5. I discovered that window display this week and fell in love on the spot! Have to get me one of those beautiful sewing machines. A) They're exceptionally yummy, and B) Making pretty dresses has got to be cheaper and more satisfying than forking out for them..
    Ps. Love the blog (:

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