Friday, October 5, 2007

Show and Tell Friday: My New Sewing Machine


Welcome to Show and Tell Friday, hosted by Kelli at There Is No Place Like Home. I'm full of excitement this morning because yesterday afternoon I got a new "toy". I've been polishing my sewing skills for a few years now, and I'm really enjoying it. Except of course for the occasional time when I have to rip out a seam.



I've been sewing on the same machine for 25 years, and I won't turn 37 until the middle of the month. My dad bought me a Kenmore when I took Home Ec in seventh grade. It still runs fine for the most part, but lately I've been noticing little glitches here and there. The Kenmore does 12 stitches if you include the button holes. Nothing fancy.






Recently, my friend Jennifer told my husband that I needed a new machine, unbeknownst to me. He took it to heart, and has been suggesting that I buy a new one ever since. Especially since I opened my Etsy Shop, and I'm selling things. Since Jennifer recently researched all of the models, I took her advice and bought what she suggested. Wow!








I went from 12 stitches to 70! I can machine quilt on the new one, and I couldn't on the old one. The children sat around me last night, and oohed and ahhed over each new stitch.









Even Mac was impressed. I thought it was really a hoot when he asked me if it had a built in CD changer this morning. He had been checking it out and noticed the vent on the side. He supposed it to be a speaker. Teenagers!





Oh, and check out my cute little pin hen.










Thanks for visiting!








32 comments:

LadySnow said...

Don't you love sewing machines! Congrats on the new one.

Hootin Anni said...

That is ONE impressive toy you got there!!! [and I love the pin cushion too, that's adorable...mine?...it's the plain ol' tomato style. Now you got me wanting to make one like yours. hehehehe

Lori said...

Your new sewing machine is very nice. I bet you will get lots of use out of it.
Blessings for a wonderful weekend.
LOri

randi said...

Hey, I have the same machine! Mine gets quite a work-out and it works great. I have discovered that when you use your machine a lot, you should change the needles a lot. That helps to keep it out of the repair shop!

---just a tip!

Betty said...

Great sewing machine....I enjoy sewing and creating thing for my home.....

Thanks for the visit....Betty

Short Stop said...

Oh, Tracy...I'm SO happy for you!! WOW, what an awesome machine. I know you will make many, many beautiful things on that new machine. And, how thoughtful of your hubby to get it for you.

The pin cushion is adorable!

ellen b. said...

What a fun machine for someone who knows how to use it! Blessings on all your creations...

Susan said...

Good for you Tracy!!! YEAH!!!!
Can't wait to see what you will be showing us now!!!
Susan

Mrs. Anna T said...

Tracy, it looks fantastic! Congratulations!

Amy ~ (Life's Small Treasures) said...

How wonderful! Congratulations!!!! Thanks for sharing
~Amy

Anonymous said...

I love your new sewing machine, Tracy, and I know you'll get oodles of delight from it, as will your family and Etsy customers. :o)

I have a Janome that does everything but wash windows - sure a step up from my 1948 Singer!

Sharon said...

Congratulations on getting a new machine!

I still have my first one which is the Kenmore Ultra Stitch 8.

I'm so excited for you Tracy! It's hard to imagine one machine that will do 70 stitches! WOW!

Mine is still working fine, so I can't complain, but one day I'd sure like to have one that does more stitches!

Have fun and be sure to show us all the neat, new things you'll be making!

Rebecca said...

ooooohhhh mannnnnnnn...

That is GREAT Tracy!

I bought my first (and only) sewing machine when I was 12 years old-with my OWN money earned that summer from summercamp. It was a discontinued el-cheapo singer and cost me $75.00.

I hate it.

I still use it and my husband and I have thought the same thing-over and over. Now that I have an Etsy shoppe, I should put all my proceeds toward getting a GOOD machine. Problem is-I have had to USE my proceeds for, er...bills.

Oh well. Maybe this go around?!? ;-)

What kind is it specifically? Where did you purchase it? I know NOTHING about what to look for in a machine-you know-all the little conveniences you LOVE once you have them and don't know about before...

I definately know I want a one/two step buttonholer. I definately know I want decorative stitches. I definately know I want quilting capabilities as well as the option to sew through THICK fabrics-like jeans.

What do you think? Is this the machine for me? I see Randi has one too-now I am ALMOST convinced! :-)

Karen said...

Congratulations, Tracy! I've been playing with this idea a while, too. Let me know how you like your new machine. The little pin hen is cute, too. Did you make it?

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

That's a very nice toy! Have fun with it!

Katherine

Susie said...

Love your new Singer! I still have mine that is over 39 years old. I guess it's nearly time for a new one, cause I think mine only does about 10 stitches. Your hen pincushion is adorable :)

Gena said...

Oh, I'm so happy for you! You'll have to let me know how you like it after you've used it.

Your pin cushion is adorable, too. Did you make it?

nannykim said...

Well congrats--I wonder if it will be tricky?? Always hold on to your old one--though--its your old friend!

Carole Burant said...

Wow, now that's one impressive sewing machine and I can just imagine how thrilled you are with it:-) I have a 33 year old Singer sewing machine in my closet...it doesn't see the light of day too often anymore! lol xo

Kelli said...

Ooh...how exciting! Your new machine looks great, what a wonderful gift!!!

Kelli

HsKubes said...

Ooooh! How exciting!
What a wonderful new toy!
Congratulations. ;o)

~ Christina

SweetAnnee said...

Oh ..I love your new machine, YOU got yourself a
honey!!
thanks for sharing!! Deena

Barbara H. said...

Wow! I've been sewing on the same Sears-Kenmore machine since shortly after my wedding 27 years ago. I'd probably almost have to learn from scratch on these newer machines, LOL! What fun to have so many stitches. And that pen hen is just darling.

Barbara H. @ Stray Thoughts

Ruth said...

How nice! I guess I know what YOU will be doing for the next few days! I love you hen pin holder, too.

Cathy said...

What a wonderful new sewing machine! I hope you'll have many hours of happy stitching on it. Make sure to save your old one too--you just can't beat them for real work horses. Love your little hen pincushion too--cute!

Cathy :)

Christy said...

I LOVE the pen hen!!

My grandmother had one that was very similar and she also had one shaped like a strawberry-I loved sitting at her feet poking pins in and out as she sewed :)

I am really wanting to try sewing but am intimidated by all the information!! Is there a book you would recommend to get started? I have ZERO knowledge!!

Jennifer said...

YAY! I'm sure you are just gitty with excitement for your new "toy." I can't wait to see all the neat things you will be able to make with the new stitches.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Paula said...

Woo hoo!! That's quite a machine! Love the pin cushion. :)

Momma Roar said...

Oh what fun Tracy! I have my mom's old Singer sewing maching with about 2 stitches - straight and zigzag. If there are any more - I don't know how to find them. Its very old and I'll have to do a post about it someday - I'll just have to get the details from mom - It doesn't have a foot pedal, but one I push with the side of my knee.

What does your new one have? How do these new fangled ones operate now? LOL :) I've gotta get myself updated! heeeheee

I can't wait to see what fabulous new projects you create!! You are so talented - no matter what machine you use!!

~~Deby said...

a little jealousy ...but so happy for you..can I ask does it have a Needle down function?....what that means is that you have the option for the needle to return to the down position when you need it to.
Woohooo for you...was it hard to re-learn a new machine?
Deby

Tracy said...

Deby,
It wasn't hard to relearn the new machine. You can manually place the needle down if you want to.

Tori Leslie said...

Hey I just found your blog, thought I would say hi. Hey I was saving for a Husquvarna Viking and finally got tired of saving so I bought the same machine you got. I love mine and it sews so nicely.
Congrats on your new machine, well I guess it's not so new now. :0)