So I have had to buy a new sewing machine. My 24 year old Janome just was not coping with what I am asking her to do. Sewing had become a chore I was avoiding. When I was at my machine, I was getting frustrated. I wasn’t finding any flow at all. Sewing is central to my business so I knew I had to make some changes – radical ones!
All these years I had had a working machine that did everything I needed. I had no great interest in embroidery stitches nor a passion for quilting. So I had no need or desire to look at new sewing machines since being given my Janome for my 21st birthday. I had read a little about ‘modern’ machines on blogs perhaps and seen the new shiny digital displays when I took my old girl in for a service but I remained faithful to her and was not tempted by the shiny buttons of all the newer machines and, to be honest, a bit sceptical about everything being digital and electronic. There are certainly fewer things that can go wrong with the simple old machines. But then my old girl was looking at retirement and to taking things a bit slower and I would be left without my workhorse. My hand was forced.
I knew I would be up for some big bucks because I knew I needed to get a machine that was heavy duty. Initially I considered getting an industrial machine to do the heavy work but I don’t have much space to line up lots of machines (although I am incredibly blessed to have a dedicated sewing space all of my own). Industrial machines tend to do just one thing, such as straight stitch, but do it really well and really fast. However, I still needed the functionality of a versatile machine of course. So I started to research domestic machines that were ‘professional’, ‘semi-industrial’ or ‘heavy duty’. There were a number of options including machines by Janome and Pfaff.
My first test drive of a modern machine with all the bells and whistles was mind blowing! I already knew they had hundreds of in-built stitches (and I’m not even talking about the ’embroidery’ machines) but that didn’t excite me all that much. It was things like being able to program it to automatically tie-off stitches at the beginning and end of your stitching and cut the thread for you that was so surprising. Being able to automate so much was so foreign to me! The thing that really bowled me over though was a demonstration of its power. I’ve struggled to take up jeans with my machine all these years so it is no wonder I was excited by the following demonstration…
The sales person took a piece of heavy denim and folded it back on itself so that there were three layers of fabric. She then easily sewed down the length of the folded fabric creating something that looked like the side seam of a pair of jeans. I was impressed enough by that and thought that was the demonstration but she then took the bottom edge of the seam and folded it up – twice! So now there were nine layers of fabric. I couldn’t believe my eyes when the machine effortlessly stitched a perfect hem on that heavy denim. Astounding! I was pretty much sold at that point but the price tag required that I do more research before jumping in.
However, in the end I settled on the Pfaff Quilt Expression 4.2 and bought it from the lovely Manivanh and Malcolm at The Sewing Machine Doctor in Belconnen, ACT. It has an integrated walking foot technology called IDT™ which was a bit of a clincher. Not needing to change feet when I move between sewing, for example, the padded outer layer of my glasses cases to sewing the thin lining will be a game changer.
Out of curiosity, I also had a look at embroidery machines and man! these things are in a class of their own. I, of course, love surface design and have seen some lovely machine embroidery but, to be honest, it is not something that I am interested in (not for now anyhow). However, I was impressed by the capabilities of these machines. Fully programable stitches, enormous sewing beds for working large projects, automation on another level. You can understand how my mind was blown when you think that I was comparing these machines to my old Janome.
But I still love the old machines too. My mum’s old Singer Featherweight is a thing of beauty as well as still being a functioning sewing machine after more than 60 years. They made them to last in those days! When I have to take up jeans (until now of course) I would get out another of mum’s old machines of which I am custodian (my sister is custodian of the Featherweight) because that, slightly younger, Singer Blue Magic still has the power to do the job my (relatively) modern Janome could not.
I don’t want to diss my old Janome though. It has been a wonderful machine and we will not be saying goodbye. It is an excellent machine for a beginner sewer and my daughter pretty much considers it hers now. My Janome SW-2018E has been my sewing companion for so many years. I can’t tell you how many times it has moved house with me! I didn’t learn to sew on it but I certainly honed my craft with it. It has sewn me so many clothes over the years. It made loads of cute things for my children to wear (actually mainly the first child – I added number two and number three in fairly quick succession and sewing time became a scarcity!) I made my three year old daughter her flower girl outfit for my sister’s wedding on my faithful machine. Eventually I even started making stuff that other people wanted to buy with her. So there is a huge emotional attachment to her and I can’t bear the thought of parting with her. With three machines (including the Singer Blue Magic), it looks scarily like becoming a “COLLECTION”. Am I at risk of becoming a collector of sewing machines? Maybe! But right now it is back to business and finding the flow in sewing again on my new best friend. Right after I hem these three pairs of jeans my husband handed me last night. Even with the Pfaff I don’t think I will ever find flow in that!
