My 40 year History of Using Sewing Machines

I have been an avid sewer for many many years (actually it's 50+ years), and have used several different kinds from treadle to basic computerized. When I was a teen learning to sew, my mother had an old Singer, and I mean REALLY old Singer that just made straight stitches, but I turned out some high quality projects with it, such as, tailored suits, evening gowns and original designs. It was probably one step up from a treadle which I used in 7th grade sewing class. That treadle was frustrating. You had a foot pedal and had to get in a rhythm to keep it going forward and that wasn't easy. It was powered by feet only; no electricity required. Come to think of it, that's a great idea. Maybe they should come up with a modernized, computerized version of that old machine. Those old machines were very reliable. My mom's old Singer NEVER broke down and it never needed a tune up, and that treadle probably didn't either. I don't even recall oiling it, but my memory may be a little faulty on that account. If they can make a new version of a foot powered machine, I hope it can still have all the features of the newest machines on the market. I do not miss making overcast seams and buttonholes by hand which was the norm way back then.

Upon College graduation, my uncle gave me a brand new singer, I think it did zigzag stitches, so no more hand overcasting of fraying seams and it had a buttonhole attachment. Wow! No more hand made buttonholes! What a life! This is all I remember about this one except it was traded in for the next machine about 10 years later

 As a young married woman, I bought a top of the line Bernina that had some embroidery stitches and a blind hemming stitch in addition to zigzag. That machine was my faithful companion for 30 years before it quit while my daughter was in the middle of making an evening dress for a fancy school dance. It lasted through my jaunts of custom dressmaking and doll making. I was so sad when it died, but I really did get my money's worth out of it. I forgot to mention the purchase of a Babylock serger in the 70's when they were a new thing. Can't imagine what seamstresses ever did without one. Think of our great-great grandmothers who did everything by hand!

While I was just sewing away on that Bernina, the computer era came about and sewing machines were changing dramatically. Although I really loved my Bernina, somehow I ended up with a Viking for my next machine which I still have. It's not a top of the line because I am now at an age when I don't want to fool with too many bells and whistles. Just want a machine that sews seams, blind hems and does buttonholes. Meet my Husqvarna Viking Lily that does just that and a little more. It has a little bit of simple computer programming, but nothing that vexes me too much. It doesn't have the speed and toughness (jeans) that the Bernina did, but that problem has been solved. I do love the quilting stitches that simulate hand stitches on this machine. there is a nice blanket stitch and a feather stitch.

A few years ago when I was deep into production doll making, I bought an old Brother industrial machine. This one will sew through multiple layers of denim with ease and, it sews 4000 stitches per minute. The purchase price was a mere $700.00 (it's old). All it does is sew forward and backward, but for ME, that is all that's needed. If you are doing production sewing and don't have a spare $10,000 to spend on a new one, this is the way to go. There are several feet available for narrow hems, piping. binding and such for more variety. It's not a machine you will be moving a lot, it is HEAVY. Took 3 strong people to get it in my house and down to the sewing room (I was too cheap to pay for delivery).

To complete my trio of machines is the latest purchase, the Bernina 1150 MDA serger. I love this machine but felt like I needed a degree in fine tuning because all of the adjusting you have to do for each fabric. My old Babylock required very little adjusting. Just thread it up and go. What makes this one worthwhile to me though is the super stretch stitch. It works so well with lycra fabrics.Your seams will stretch from here to eternity and not break. Love it!!! It has many other features that I haven't tried out yet and when I do, I will share.

That's my sewing machine history, maybe others will share theirs so we can all become experts - Huh? For more sewing and crafts news and fun visit me on facebook by clicking link at the top of this page.