So, I haven't been to my sewing machine dealer in a while... I haven't been buying any sewing machines, I didn't need any more presser feet, and I didn't have any friends buying stuff. But, I recently taught a friend to sew, and I wanted him to visit a sewing machine dealer so he could begin to get an idea of what contemporary sewing machines are like. (He's using a 33 year old Singer machine that someone gave him.) So, we went to my sewing machine dealer today.
The first surprise for me was a new Babylock machine with a HUGE embroidery hoop. You could put a jacket in the hoop and embroider the whole back of it in one swell foop. Amazing. I really didn't expect any of the manufacturers would make a machine with a hoop quite that big for consumer use.
Bad news: Elna is no longer making the machine that let you use an entire spool of thread as the bobbin. Waaaah! I really wanted that feature to catch on.
Good news: My dealer has started carring the Singer Quantum line of machines. Apparently, after letting their technician have a thorough look at them and letting all the employees take them home to beat on them for a while, they decided the Quantum machines are reliable enough for them to sell. Yay! Nice to hear Singer is making something decent. Now if only Singer would do something about the rest of their products...
In other news, I went pattern shopping. I bought a pattern for baby outerwear, Kwik Sew 3127. It's adorable, and looks like it should be easy to make. A friend has offered me fabric for it, and I have an appointment almost next door to my zipper wholesaler tomorrow, so I think I'll nab a few zippers.
As for other baby stuff, I've decided to go with patterns from McCalls, because they're on sale real cheap next weekend. ($0.99 patterns are the one thing that can suck me into Joanns. I otherwise try to spend my sewing money at independent fabric stores and small local chains.)
In all, a productive day.
Tom Farrell