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February 25, 2007
Where Sewing Machines Go To Die
That would be Chez Villain. My hallway looks like a graveyard for old stitchers. After wrestling with my 35 year old Kenmore and cheap-ass Bernette for too long, I have done yet another Bad Thing: I bought a new machine. Well, technically it is a floor model and that is why I managed to snag it for under $300, but it seems pretty darned new to me. Here is the new specimen in situ:
I was literally in tears the other night because I was so frustrated with the technical failures of my machines. I do realize that it is a poor craftsperson who blames her tools, but really, feed dogs, can't you just FEED EVENLY FOR ONE FREAKING MINUTE?!?! Sigh. I have been thinking about doing this for a while now so it is not really that impulsive, though it seemed mostly motivated by PMS at the time. I am very happy with it. I actually went to Target and bought a Singer 7444 that morning, but when I got it home I was so disappointed that I just couldn't keep it. Thus, I headed over to the Pfaff dealership. The web advertised specials were better than the deal I got, but I'm only a little bit bitter about that since it really is quite lovely. No fancy-schmancy stuff, but that is ok because when am I ever really going to need a stitch that looks like flowerpots anyhow? That (well not the flowerpots specifically) is partially what lured me to the Singer and after that turned out to be so chintzy, I figured simplicity would serve me better. Afterall, it allowed be to make this delectible little morsel (Simplicity 3831):
Do you like it? The sleeves were what was giving me such a headache: 3/8in narrow hem. Luckily, it all worked out on the Pfaff. I almost posted a picture of the stitching on the other machine, but decided it was really too embarrasing. That is all behind me now. No more tears for me! Well there is always the chance of some until the Sanguine Deluge commences sometime Tuesday afternoon, but no matter. J is even helping me pay for it! what a sweetie!!
Only 40 more pages of Christian Metz to read today and then I can start something new! Maybe that robe that J so richly deserves. I am going to pretend that I am actually snowed in instead of just fake snowed in. We got a ton of snow, but the roads are clear and people have pretty much just resumed normal life. I think I would rather it was still like it looked last night: impassable roads and perfect pristine whiteness as far as the eye can see. Today it's back to muck and slush. Blech. Let's just pretend that it is crisp and clean and requires me to stay inside drinking mint hot chocolate, shall we?
Posted by loyd0008 at February 25, 2007 03:47 PM
Comments
As a teacher, I have at least one "self-declared" snow day each year. This cuts down on the disappointment when we don't have one and adds a bonus day if we get several. I like your blog and your speedy sewing. Congrats on the new machine!
Posted by: becky at February 25, 2007 05:49 PM
Wow, another great dress! Do you know how many dresses you've made now since you started? I can't imagine your closet. Have you had to purge other stuff to accommodate them?
Posted by: lsaspacey at February 25, 2007 06:20 PM
@lsaspacey, I can field those questions: A lot, and no...though a purge should probably happen at some point. ;)
Another fine dress you've crafted for yourself, you villain. The sleeves make it, too.
Posted by: j. at February 25, 2007 09:40 PM
Hi Villain,
I think I owned a pretty similar Pfaff around 6 years ago and it sewed well EXCEPT for buttonholes. Please try them out very well and decide then if you still like the machine :)
Posted by: tini at February 26, 2007 01:14 AM
Oooo, I've got a Pfaff too, but an earlier, even less fancy model. I have no idea how to sew buttonholes. The instruction book is in a Safe Place, and has been for years...
Posted by: bani at February 27, 2007 09:57 AM
I love that dress...I actually have that pattern too, and am considering making it for at friend, who's newly pregnant...do you think it would work as a maternity dress for at least a few months? I would really appreciate your answer, as I can't seem to find any reviews of this dress anywhere else. (I don't think you look pregnant at all, please don't get me wrong ;-)
BTW: I have a Pfaff Hobby 1042, not sure if the buttonhole feature is the same, but it works great on mine once you figure out how to use it!
Posted by: Henriette at May 29, 2007 06:30 AM
Eeeeeeeh...one more question: did you line that dress?
Posted by: Henriette at May 29, 2007 08:32 AM
I think it would work as an early stage maternity dress for sure. The empire waist gives a fair amount of room and is super comfy. I'd maybe make it a couple inches longer than you normally would (I cut some inches off the bottom, myself) to make sure it doesn't get too short as the baby grows and don't worry, no offense taken:)
Posted by: villain at May 29, 2007 08:35 AM
Nope! The bodice has self facing (basically make two and sew them together) but I didn't line the skirt.
Posted by: villain at May 29, 2007 08:39 AM
Hi Villain,
great, I'll make it for her then - thank you so much for your input - I really appreciate it....I might make one for myself as well, I sure appreciate a dress with room for a good dinner ;-)
Posted by: Henriette at May 30, 2007 06:06 AM