Music
All music has it's time and place, it's just that for some, that time and place is far, far away from where I happen to be.
I prefer Irish/Scottish, bluegrass, classic rock, Southern rock, blues, jazz, classical, 80's pop, Big Band/Swing, and some other weird/off the beaten path stuff. I'm not too thrilled with most country or rap or opera, but there are a few songs that are tolerable.
Movies
Anything period, even if it's not historically accurate, as long as it has a good storyline. Sci-Fi/Fantasy stuff (Willow, The Princess Bride), anything by Mel Brooks, anything with Sean Connery or Antonio Banderas. But I usually don't have the patience to sit through an entire movie unless I'm at the theatre and have paid money for it.
TV
Not too much, really. Basically whatever is on while I'm doing needlework. Except reality shows. Or reruns of sitcoms that weren't good the first time around.
Books
Yes.
(I'll even read cereal boxes if there's nothing else around.)
Dislikes
Manipulators, politics, red tape, liars, and know-it-alls.
Hobbies
Lots of things, but lately its sewing, needlework, writing, photography, and cooking.
Vices
Procrastination. Over-abundance of the "worry-wart gene".
I know. Haven't posted in a LONG while. But life happens.
Latest project was a generic Italian Ren dress for a friend.
Bodice was COMPLETELY hand sewn, as it turned out that the fabric was NOT machine sewable. At least, not with the needles and thread I was able to find. For some reason the local fabric stores/Wally World/sewing machine stores do NOT carry the extra fine needles that will fit my machine, and I didn't have time to order online. So, when I ran a test swatch thru the machine, it picked and RAN really bad. Like nylon stockings do.
So I hand sewed the bodice and sleeves. Over 40 hours worth. Skirt is sewn on machine and is detachable so that the bodice can be hand washed easier, and so that she can make a different color skirt to go with it if she chooses to.
Things I learned: It's more important to line up pattern repeats in the back as opposed to at the side seams; needles are sharp, even on the end with the hole in it; beeswax really does help keep thread from tangling; and never ever use this type of fabric again. :)
Was sewing garb for SCAdian events when all this happened...
I had a little Kenmore machine that I had bought about 10 years ago for
about $200. Runs ok, quite noisy, does a bunch of different stitches,
blah blah blah. Bottom line is, it works. Works quite well, actually.
But I don't really care for it. It's plastic, for one thing. Very
lightweight, which means it has a tendency to jump around on the table.
So
when Dad offered to let me have Mom's old(er) Kenmore, I said yes. This
one's from the late 70's/early 80's and it's made of metal. Quite a bit
heavier than the one I had (still have), so it's a lot more stable
during use. It's also quieter, but it doesn't do quite as many
stitches. No biggie - I usually only use straight stitch anyway.
At any rate, I got started on the garb and managed to get mine and the hubby's done - wait, no. That's not right. He sewed his garb. Anyway. We got through the adults' garb, no problems, everything works.
And then the trip to Goodwill to look for medieval-oid shoes. > cue bad intro music <
Walked
in the store and sitting in the front window is a sewing machine case.
I'm always curious about old machines, and since there was a sign taped
to this one that said "Sewing Machine. Runs Good.", I thought I'd have
a peek.
Open up the case (which is pristine). GORGEOUS machine.
Weighs 90,000 pounds - well, about 40 pounds, actually, but LOTS more
than either of my others.
Metallic teal blue, REAL chrome
trimmings and parts, not even a scratch in the finish ANYwhere. Has not
one, but TWO boxes of accessories - rufflers, hemmers, tuckers, and
more. There's an extension cord attached to the pedal. Has an extra set
of needles and bobbins. Has the manuals. Has the MANUALS!!
It's a 1955 Maxwell. And they only want $24.
Hah! It's MINE!! > giggles incessantly at checkout and dances in place <
Bring
it home. Works like a charm. Straight stitch only, but hey, I can deal.
Very nearly silent (which is a HUGE change from the two Kenmores). I
can talk on the phone (or watch TV, listen to music, talk to other
people) and sew on this thing at the same time! Yay!!
So I get the kids' garb finished, we go to the event, and have a lovely time.
Today,
hubby takes the trash to the dump. Someone has left a sewing machine
cabinet in the 'take it if you can use it' pile, so he thinks to
himself - aha! that'd be perfect for wifey's new machine! I'll take it!
- and has the attendant put it in the truck. He saw that it had a
machine in it, but he thought that it was probably trashed & he'd
take it back to the dump in the morning. Heck. He's only in it for the
cabinet, right?
Tee Hee. WRONG!
Gets the cabinet home, has his dad unload it, and we all take a look.
Oh. My. GAWD.
1954 Pfaff Model 130 Industrial Sewing Machine. With knee pedal instead of foot pedal.
AND IT RUNS!!!!!!!!!
>me swoons<
This
one needs a bit of work, though, before it's safe to use. All the
wiring needs to be replaced as it's brittle and worn through in spots.
The motor needs servicing, and there's a screw missing that holds it in
the cabinet securely.
BUT... I found places online where I can get parts and the manual for it. So I am a happy camper!
Except... >sigh<
Hubby found out through online research that it sews leather. So I'll have to share.
And I'm seriously considering having an addition built onto the house so that I have space for these things...
:)
Does anyone know the gestation period for these things???
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