Sew Mama Sew is hosting Sewing Machine Month in June. I thought it might be fun to participate in their sewing machine meme. Of course, I have two machines... so this is post two of two!
What brand and model do you have? Singer Rocketeer (501A or 503... I should look that up)
How long have you had it? This was my first machine- my aunt Barbara gave it to me upon graduation from college. Spring 2003! I took it with me to Indiana.
How much does that machine cost (approximately)? Again, it was a gift. You can find them on eBay and Craigslist in the 200-300 dollar range, sometimes much cheaper.
What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)? I used the Rocketeer for eeeeverything when I first got it. Home dec, bags, hemming, piecing, clothing, you name it. It's greatest glory was when I decided to cosplay at Otakon one year, and spent a good part of a summer sewing EVERY DAY on my costume. It was my first time dealing with all sorts of crazy fabrics (sateen? gauze? tulle? none of them could take down my Rocketeer). Have I mentioned that when I get going on a sewing project, I go crazy?
How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get? See above. When in a serious sewing mood, I can sew 10-12 hours a day. But then I go back to ignoring my machine for 8 months. Unpredictable is my middle name. I should change the needles more though, the more I think about it!
Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name? I love my Rocketeer. Like my Athena, she goes by her model name. She's futuristic, but very much situated in the past. What a workhorse.
What features does your machine have that work well for you? She isn't snazzy like my (comparatively) new Athena. But she has some verve! The Rocketeer will handle ANY fabric. And when I say any, I mean bring on the denim and sailcloth. She handles it like a charm. Just try that with most modern machines- 4 layers of denim and you'll be breaking a needle every seam. With my baby Rocketeer? Like butter. Slow-moving but definitely smooth butter.
Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine? For some reason my Rocketeer hates to go more than half an hour without just chopping up some thread. Despite endless playing with the tension, it just snips right through it for no apparent reason and I end up having to rethread the needle. Argh.
Do you have a great story to share about your machine? This machine just gets it done- no buzzers and whistles, but a solid machine. I can oil it myself, and it doesn't break down as horrifically as my Athena.
Would you recommend the machine to others? Why? Absolutely. It's a fanastic first machine, and solid enough to handle any basic project. It would be perfect for a beginner sewer, without being complicated.
What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine? Same as in my last post. Think about your purpose. Do you want to sew crazy heavy weight fabric? Get a machine that is NOT electronic. Spare yourself some pain, and stick with an oldie-but-goodie like my Rocketeer. Aiming for a machine that has fancy stitch patterns and runs quietly? Pick a different model.
Do you have a dream machine? I actually don't just want a Bernina. I want a serger, too. George would love that- I'd be able to mend his old tee shirts speedily! But I don't need one yet, so it's still just a dream machine for now.
So there you have it- my two Singer ladies, my sewing room dream team. I picked both of them up from the repair shop and can't wait to try them out. This was an awfully expensive servicing, due to the Athena being a lot more broken than I thought. But with new gears and a few other parts, hopefully she'll be sewing like new. I guess I've learned my lesson- I can take care of the Rocketeer ok on my own, but I really need to get the Athena in for servicing more regularly!
Showing posts with label sewing machine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sewing machine. Show all posts
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Sew Mama Sewing Machine Meme
Sew Mama Sew is hosting Sewing Machine Month in June. I thought it might be fun to participate in their sewing machine meme. Of course, I have two machines... so this is post one of two!
What brand and model do you have? Singer Athena 2000
How long have you had it? Since I moved back from Indiana and into my second apartment, I believe- summer of 2005.
How much does that machine cost (approximately)? A quick google search didn't give me any idea. My mother purchased it in the mid-70s, but it was gifted to me.
What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)? My Athena is my main garment sewing machine, and my quilting machine now that I quilt. I've made clothes for myself on it, and bags, etc.
How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get? Lately, I don't sew at all! This is because my Athena stopped working properly last fall. I would say in heavy sewing periods (for example, at the end of last summer), I sew for many (many many) hours over the weekend and a few during the week. When I'm not in the middle of obsessing over a project, I sew very infrequently.
Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name? I call her Athena, for obvious reasons, or my little Sewing Goddess. I do love her, but I am not as comfortable with her as I am with my other machine. I just need more time getting to know her.
What features does your machine have that work well for you? My mother often remarks that she regrets ever giving me this machine- it has the best button-holer of all of our collective sewing machines.
Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine? OH the curses I have lashed out since it broke down last fall. It turns out that it needed some serious repairs (I suspected it, but was afraid to give in and bring it in for repair). Apparently it had some broken parts, and I'm in for a $180 bill very shortly. Sigh.
Do you have a great story to share about your machine? Well, this is my mother's old machine, the one she used to make all the crazy matching shorts and hawaiian shirts for my sister and me in our childhood. The Disney World outfits we had in NEON green were pretty awesome. In an 80s-tastic way. We always wore whatever Mom made for us, and we sure were easy to spot.
Would you recommend the machine to others? Why? I do recommend it! It's electronic, but still basic enough to handle anything. I love older machines, and again... it's got the button-holer of doom.
What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine? I think you should gauge how you are going to use the machine as the most important factor. For me, I wanted to be able to sew apparel, and to do basic fixes on ready-to-wear (the Athena also is very good at hemming). I wouldn't have chosen it for a quilting machine, but it does a fine job at that, as well.
Do you have a dream machine? I want a Bernina. I am completely in love with my aunt's Bernina. It sews like a dream, and I can only imagine how awesome it would be for free-motion machine quilting. Someday I'll get one of my own!
What brand and model do you have? Singer Athena 2000
How long have you had it? Since I moved back from Indiana and into my second apartment, I believe- summer of 2005.
How much does that machine cost (approximately)? A quick google search didn't give me any idea. My mother purchased it in the mid-70s, but it was gifted to me.
What types of things do you sew (i.e. quilting, clothing, handbags, home dec projects, etc.)? My Athena is my main garment sewing machine, and my quilting machine now that I quilt. I've made clothes for myself on it, and bags, etc.
How much do you sew? How much wear and tear does the machine get? Lately, I don't sew at all! This is because my Athena stopped working properly last fall. I would say in heavy sewing periods (for example, at the end of last summer), I sew for many (many many) hours over the weekend and a few during the week. When I'm not in the middle of obsessing over a project, I sew very infrequently.
Do you like/love/hate your machine? Are you ambivalent? Passionate? Does she have a name? I call her Athena, for obvious reasons, or my little Sewing Goddess. I do love her, but I am not as comfortable with her as I am with my other machine. I just need more time getting to know her.
What features does your machine have that work well for you? My mother often remarks that she regrets ever giving me this machine- it has the best button-holer of all of our collective sewing machines.
Is there anything that drives you nuts about your machine? OH the curses I have lashed out since it broke down last fall. It turns out that it needed some serious repairs (I suspected it, but was afraid to give in and bring it in for repair). Apparently it had some broken parts, and I'm in for a $180 bill very shortly. Sigh.
Do you have a great story to share about your machine? Well, this is my mother's old machine, the one she used to make all the crazy matching shorts and hawaiian shirts for my sister and me in our childhood. The Disney World outfits we had in NEON green were pretty awesome. In an 80s-tastic way. We always wore whatever Mom made for us, and we sure were easy to spot.
Would you recommend the machine to others? Why? I do recommend it! It's electronic, but still basic enough to handle anything. I love older machines, and again... it's got the button-holer of doom.
What factors do you think are important to consider when looking for a new machine? I think you should gauge how you are going to use the machine as the most important factor. For me, I wanted to be able to sew apparel, and to do basic fixes on ready-to-wear (the Athena also is very good at hemming). I wouldn't have chosen it for a quilting machine, but it does a fine job at that, as well.
Do you have a dream machine? I want a Bernina. I am completely in love with my aunt's Bernina. It sews like a dream, and I can only imagine how awesome it would be for free-motion machine quilting. Someday I'll get one of my own!
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