Lady loves…
* An evening alone to cram home made asian mince and lettuce wraps into my mouth and spill it all down my front. Totally filthy and totally satisfied. Excellent.
* Ginger ale and Japanese ginger candy. Never been a huge fan of the old ginger. Perhaps I’m developing a more mature palette.
* Sitting on the deck with Co-Dependent Smaggle drinking gin and tonics.
* Having just one week of school left before I drive into the sunset and back to the Berra… until next term that is.
* The teacher that I went on an exursion with today who did a complete 360 in a narrow Melbourne street with 20 students on a giant bus to pick up a chair left as hard rubbish on the side of the road. The fact that she looks like a supermodel made it so much cooler. This tiny, gorgeous thing wearing all manner of scarves and bangles heaving this old chair onto the bus. Priceless.
* Working. There is nothing I love more than being able to comfortably afford to pay my rent. I almost get off on being financially secure. I’m sick.
* My delicious reader Nicole for not only spotting me in the August issue of BUST magazine but for taking the time to actually send me a copy because it’s not available in Australia! Big sloppy virtual kisses sent in your direction lady! Mwah!
* My course. Useful information overload. It’s awesome.
* Mr Smaggle making my internet faster then dial-up for the first time all year. Yay blogging!
* Being the only person in my enormous local outdoor pool swimming in the sunshine.
* True crime books. I’m totally addicted right now.
Lady loathes…
* This stupid ulcer that has taken up residence under my lip. So annoying.
* Getting the hiccoughs at the gym. As if it’s not unpleasant enough already.
* A Current Affair. And E! They are both total wastes of airspace.
* Being either covered in acid (school) or snot (teaching) and not being able to wear pretty clothes everyday. It’s starting to wear me down.
* Not having a sewing machine! I was discussing this with Roomy Smaggle and we were wondering when is the appropriate age to get over borrowing other people’s sewing machines and buy your own? And when I say buy your own I mean a new one that wasn’t purchased from Ebay or Savers. It’s such a big investment but one that will have to be made eventually. What are your thoughts on this?
* Smashing a whole bottle of sweet chilli sauce in the driveway.
What about you angel face?
Love Lady Smaggle
xxx
9 Comments
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It’s not the usual course, and I’m not sure what you’d be able to find at thrift stores in Australia, but I’m a total whore for vintage sewing machines. They’re cheap, sturdy (most anything made before the 70s has all-metal parts), can sew through damn near anything (my Viking Husqvarna has sewn through two belts – kid you not!), easy to take care of, will last ages and tend to be much more aesthetically pleasing than the sewing machines of today. There’s some on eBay, but they run a lot higher – two of mine were found via Craigslist and were $25 and $35, whereas the machines on eBay will run you $100-200 USD + shipping. Which would probably be an insane amount to Australia. No – they aren’t fancy computerized machines, but I can do a huge variety of stitches with the cams for my Husqvarna and I’ve never missed anything that I could do with a newer machine. Whatever you decide, good luck!
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The appropriate time to acquire a sewing machine is when you leave home. I was 18 and Mum gave me her old Bernina and bought herself a new one. I’ve still got it (I’m 36).
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I totally agree with your sentiments on ‘A Current Affair’. So fracking useless and so not journalism. What is Bust magazine?
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I’m so happy to hear it got there ok. Thanks for the virtual kisses haha
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You NEED a sewing machine! I have a fairly basic Janome that has served me very well over the last ten years. I also have an overlocker. Sooooo useful!
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Y’know lady, I might have an offer you can’t resist…
I’m thinking about replacing my old Janome with a shiny new one at some point soon (probably no later than January). If you can wait, you’re welcome to my perfectly serviceable, slightly loved Janome.
Let me know what you think…
E. -
Michelle – Thanks for the advice! I’ve had a few iffy deals in the past and I just feel like I should bite the bullet and go hardcore on a newbie. I’ll keep an eye out though!
Nadist – That’s what I’m gathering! Roomy Smaggle and are having a stand off as to who will buy one first!
Adele – It’s this American magazine that’s all crafty and feminist. Not available in Aus though.
Nicole – You’re an angel! xxx
The Mumma – Overlockers scare the bejesus out of me. And yes I NEED a sewing machine so badly!
Emma – Um… seriously? Are sure I can’t pay you for it? Perhaps I could make you something purdy in exchange???
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Yeah totally – I’m shite at de-cluttering, so having someone to love my old sewing machine would be great!
I’ll let you know when the new purchase takes place…
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I second the person who said to get a vintage one!! I have a beautiful black vintage Singer 201-2 and I’m in the process of refurbishing a Singer 66-1 for my mother for her bday (I refurbish vintage machines as a hobby and plan to start selling them to raise money for charity). They work much much better than the new plastic ones coming out now (I personally think the only reason to buy a sewing machine made after 1960 or 1970 (60s vs 70s depends on the brand) is if you do machine embroidery and need a super computerized machine or if you quilt and need a longarm). I suggest getting one that is straight stitch only because, since the needle cant move side to side and all about the straight stitch will be much more beautiful than what is produced on a zig zag machine. And you can still to zig zags and buttonholes (many people thing the buttonholers for straight stitch only machines are much nicer than the automatic ones on new machines) and decorative stitches and monogram and embroidery with the help many cool attachments that just screw on like any other foot (like a zipper for or regular presser foot). Scour around thrift stores and second hand shops and you should find one easily. Another option is to buy a refurbished one (just do a google search for refurbished sewing machines and a couple places should show up). Also, there is an etsy seller who sells refurbished machines (make sure its refurbished because there are others who sell them there for the same price even thought they arent refurbished). A reasonable price range is not to pay more than $250 for a completely cleaned polished tuned up timed rewired machine with a refurbished or brand new motor unless its super rare, has lots of accessories (in that case no more than $300) with it, or is a featherweight (not rare, but super popular among quilters because its small enough to take it to class, I wouldn’t recommend it as much more than a travel machine but you could use it for your regular sewing if you wanted to pay more money for a little machine). Good brands are Singer, Viking, White, Elna, and others like that.
They are mostly easy to clean up and get working too. I’m planning on posting a tutorial on my blog about how I fixed mine up to get it in tip top shape (when I bought it, it was gross) but since that wont be right away you should take a look here to see what to do to fix it up nice when you first get it (http://blog.sew-classic.com/2009/02/07/refurbishing-whats-that.aspx).
If its electric (aka, not a treadle or handcrank) even if the wires look great you should rewire it. These machines are old and the original wires will not be electrically safe. If you are handy with a soldering iron you can do it yourself (completely remove all the wires to the footpedal, motor, light and plug and completely replace them) but if not just take it to your local sewing machine repair place and have them rewire it.
Sorry for the long post, I just love sewing and I love helping people find sewing machines so I got carried away!!
