bits and bobbins

lessons learned from a borked sewing machine

-you can’t mail a sewing machine (or iron) halfway across the country, and expect it to be in perfect condition when it arrives. especially if it’s handled by UPS and not mailed in it’s original box. they might (and did!) drop-kick it in transit…and it may never be the same. and you’ll be sad when you’ve realized what happened…and it might be too late to do much about it except spend more moolah, scrambling to get it fixed and/or find a permanent/temporary replacement. which is, of course, a hassle. because you might find yourself driving out to the chicago suburbs on a sunday to do so…in traffic, with an antsy 14 month old. which is, of course, a bit stressful. and so on.

-there is (generally) a HUGE difference between the expensive sewing machine (or iron, or even, camera, to extend this further, if you wish) and the cheaper one. the more expensive one FEELS different to sew on than the cheaper one, it’s been engineered more carefully and is (generally) made out of better, higher quality materials. using a better machine is akin to driving a REALLY, REALLY nice car, like, say, a bmw or mercedes, while sewing with a cheaper machine is perhaps more like driving a budget mobile, like, uh, a toyota camry. they both get you where you have to go, but the nicer one feels COMPLETELY different to handle and probably has more bells and whistles.

-but it almost goes without saying: using a more expensive sewing machine (iron, camera, car, etc.) does NOT make you a better sewer (ironer, photographer, driver, etc.). it can definitely make things easier for you as you go along but all the extras mean nothing if you don’t know how to use them, and definitely don’t mean anything if your base skills aren’t up to snuff.

-continuing the sentiment from that last note and the note above it, just because you have the fancy-dancy machine, doesn’t mean you need all it’s fancy features. some of that stuff they offer can really make your sewing (etc.) life easier, but some of it is probably just superfluous stuff you’ll never really use or get around to using in a million years. it’s marketing hype that’s there to convince you, via your sewing machine dealer, to buy something at a higher price point (regardless of whether you are really realistically apt to use any of it). sure, the embroidery attachment is really COOL, but do you need it?? or the pages and pages of decorative stitches? maybe not. but you could use the powerful motor, a nice selection of buttonholes, a wide assortment of useful, every day sort of stitches, things of that nature. it’s never bad to be a little pragmatic when buying something like a sewing machine (camera, car, etc.). the best you can afford without going overboard and all that.

-always have a back-up machine. even the nice machines go down (in flames, sometimes!)…you don’t have to spend a lot of money on the second one. you could buy used, or buy cheap. on the subject of the latter, don’t expect it to be like your everyday, workhorse machine, because at that (LOW LOW!) price point, it just ain’t. and never will be. but it works *just good enough* to get you by in the interim. and that’s okay.

***

and as a bonus adage for those who might need it:

here’s a (sewing applicable) life lesson that i learned from one of my professors at parsons, that i still remember, heed, and toss out a lot to other people (probably multiple times on this here blog, too, over the years!). it is this:

the long way is the short way.

(do it right the first time and you won’t spend time later doing it over again. or, there are really no shortcuts. take your time and do it right.)

October 26 2009 | Posted in creative dabblings., it's personal., sewn(up).

1. October 26 2009 at 9:07 am

   alanna

   soo true. i have 4 machines, 3 of which are nice, 2 of which are waiting to be repaired, and i can’t wait for a day of riches to accompany them all with their industrial counterparts.

   
   

2. October 26 2009 at 10:25 am

   dreamecho

   I really appreciated this post. I’m about to start sewing lessons this week (just picked up my own Grabbit!) and enjoyed reading about sewing from an anecdotal, yet not too technical perspective. Most of what I’ve read on the internet so far is either very generic (for beginners) or, if it’s more detailed/intriguing, is for or more advanced users.

   
   

3. October 26 2009 at 10:39 am

   Chloe Nightingale

   I am very fond of those big metal machines from the 60s and 70s. They usually don’t have any fancy stitches, but they sew so well and are so reliable. In the US, I got mine from the Goodwill, but here, most charity shops can’t sell electronic goods, so I got mine on ebay.

   
   

4. October 26 2009 at 10:44 am

   martha

   I am so sorry about your machine. that totally sucks.

   I think a GOOD quality sewing machine made me a better sewer though. Not all the fancy stitches, but just the fact that it was a higher quality (so more expensive). before I got my high end bernina, I thought I was a lousy sewer, and things like zippers and trim scared me. when I got my new machine, it was like I was a different person all together.
   lesson -DO NOT BUY A SEWING MACHINE OFF THE BACK OF A TRUCK:)

   also -you should have that quote printed on t-shirts!

   xo

   
   

5. October 26 2009 at 11:06 am

   T

   Hey, I’m in the market for a new iron — do you have any recommendations? Thanks!

   
   

6. October 26 2009 at 12:56 pm

   tricia

   dreamecho: glad i could be of help. good luck with your lessons! beware: it can be an addictive hobby!

   martha: i agree with you, actually, somewhat. my nicer sewing machines (one viking, and then two berninas, plus one viking serger) also made me a better sewer, in some senses, because it made certain tasks easier (especially when using with good attachments, like sewing machine feet) and the quality of the machine itself and the useful features helped as well..i could focus on making a nice looking garment without all the fuss and fiddling that cheaper machine might require. but in the end, i feel like you can get a good garment out of a less fancy machine, because YOU are really the one in control of the results, not the machine. the machine is a tool. some tools are better than others. yanno?

   T: i really like continuous steam irons, being a fairly serious sewer for over 25 years. i just bought a delonghi, here’s the amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/DeLonghi-Stiromeglio-Compact-Ironing-Pressurized/dp/B000B76MEA i have only had it less than a week, but i love it so far. it feels well-made, and sturdy. it is not, however, cheap. check back with me in a year, though, after i have put it through it’s paces, for a full review! haha.
   from the early 2000s up to now, though, i was using various models of continuous steam rowenta irons, and all of them have busted within a couple years (1-3 years on average)…they seem cheaply made, but they tend to be a little cheaper than other continuous steam irons, so there you go. what i wouldn’t recommend, if you are serious about sewing, is a basic iron, because they A.) aren’t heavy enough for sewing (you need an iron with some heft to do real pressing) and B.) they often turn themselves off constantly and are a giant PITA because of that. the continuous steam type can be left on at the ready indefinitely (within reason). you just have to be diligent about remembering to turn it off.

   
   

7. October 26 2009 at 5:37 pm

   danielle

   seriously, the long way is the short way, is true. and usually the long way is so much rewarding in innumerable ways.

   also, i have an old kenmore machine that i love. got it as a present, but the giver got it at a thrift store and had it cleaned…and voila! perfect machine.

   
   

8. October 26 2009 at 6:23 pm

   Paul

   I surmise your good sewing machine went bonkers – and I think having a back up is a great idea, especially if you are on a deadline and trying to finish a project for a client (or your family). I should take it to heart with photography equipment – good advice.

   
   

9. October 26 2009 at 6:31 pm

   Becky

   The expensive machines are so tempting sometimes though! I’m taking a sewing machine course and the teacher has an amazing computerised machine that embroiders hearts, penguins and aeroplanes..how cool!

   Though the machine I have is pretty good and I’m loving being able to make things with it.

   
   

10. October 26 2009 at 7:03 pm

    beth

    bummer, i’m sorry to hear that your dear friend (said sewing machine) is not feeling well after the trip west. here’s to her speedy recovery.

    
    

11. October 29 2009 at 6:01 am

    aunt gail

    I’m not quite sure what a borked machine is == but it sounds pretty horrible. Don’t forget to check out Craigs List. Sometimes you can find an awesome bargain there for a slightly used machine. Hugs.

    
    

12. October 29 2009 at 4:58 pm

    melissa

    UPS does automatically insure items up to $100, if you didn’t declare the actual value. I don’t know how long you have to file a claim, but it would worth trying. The process it not too difficult. welcome to chicago.

    
    

13. October 29 2009 at 10:32 pm

    Miss Sews-it-all

    I do agree with you – and it is a good idea to have a back-up machine. But, don’t you miss your trusty “good” sewing machine when you’re sewing on the back-up? I know I do!

    
    

14. October 30 2009 at 5:22 pm

    dreamecho

    Had my first class…dang, it IS addicting! A whole new world of possibilities is opening up to me.

    
    

15. November 1 2009 at 9:40 am

    laura

    i absolutely agree about that last statement! everytime you want to finish something as soon as possible, you need much more time in the end because you have to re-do it. (:
    we have amazing industrial machines at work and i so want one… but no room & no money at the moment. ):

    
    

16. November 8 2009 at 12:29 pm

    diana

    so true!