Sunday, October 18, 2015

"Need" Had Nothing To Do With It

It’s no secret that I love using vintage straight stitch machines when piecing, and I already had three such machines (two 301s and a Featherweight) in my “herd.”  I just think these old machines produce a very pretty straight stitch, and with their narrower feed dogs I get better quarter-inch seams.  Recently Bonnie Hunter started touting the virtues of the old Singer 404s, so when I had an opportunity to acquire one at a reasonable cost Friday, I caved.  Here she is. 

She sews fast and has lots of power.  I really like the way she handles and was pleasantly surprised to see that, like the 301 and Featherweight, she has an aluminum body making her lighter than the all steel machines.  What I like best about her is that her bobbins hold more thread than my Featherweight or 301’s bobbins.  And I wasn’t entirely bad; I worked a trade for the 301 that I didn’t use, so at least the herd didn’t grow.  I think I’ll leave this one at the “Club House.”  


Between my Tuesday regular sewing with friends day, the monthly applique gathering and a last minute decision to join in on the group Friday, I had the fun of sewing with quilting friends three times last week.  Good thing.  I’m to report for jury duty early Monday morning and may not have an opportunity to join the fun this week.  We’ll see.  I kept hoping that all pending cases would plea bargain out, but the message at the call in center said we had to come in.  

7 comments:

Debbie said...

How pretty she is! Looks like a good trade to me, and yes we do need good equipment and back up....grin! Hope the jury cases take a hike and you get to sew and enjoy the weekly groups.

Kathy ... aka Nana said...

She's a beauty! Hoping that you are excused and able to get back to fun with your friends.

Quilting Babcia said...

So happy to see another vintage machine rescued! I haven't seen any affordable ones around here, but the herd already has two 301s, a featherweight, and a Centennial 201. My black 301 (Casey Jones) is my favorite piecing machine. Good luck with a short jury duty stint, so you can get back to doing what you love.

AnnieO said...

I need to get out the Elna I got a couple years ago and had repaired and test it out. Sounds like you're very pleased with your new old machine. My daughter had jury duty last week and somehow escaped a call for a trial that culled 105 jurors!

O'Quilts said...

Wonderful news!! Great fun to get a new machine. At my age, and with my new reality...I am all for treating yourself..need is irrelevant!!!

Doniene said...

Love your vintage Singer - those ole girls are true work horses!! Hope jury duty is going well. I served on a triple murder trial one time and loved it. I would be a juror every week if they would let me!!

Blessings and hugs!

NanaNor's said...

Those old machines are always so much better than the newer ones. I loved sewing on a Singer, but wouldn't want one now. I always wanted a featherweight when we lived in Ca., because I went on lots of quilting trips with my old neighbor. Now, my current machine is heavier and I haven't gone on a quilt trip since we moved here eight years ago. I will say that we are going to Sisters this next summer, so maybe I'll need a light machine after all.
Hugs,
Noreen