Stitches

I have been sewing since I was about eight years old.  I never cared about the stitch quality until I became afflicted with SMAD (Sewing Machine Acquisition Disorder).  It never mattered before.  Now it matters, a lot.

I visited my friend Rain last weekend.  I finally delivered his 223 to him.  I also took along some other parts in a tote bag I had made.  He tried to give it back to me.  I told him he could keep it that I had plenty more at home that I had made.

"What machine did you use?" he said as he scrutinized the stitches.  Only someone who works on machines cares about the stitch quality. 

I admit, though, that when I am at craft shows I look at the stitches on the various for sale sewn items.  I am a stitch snob.

So tonight I was pleased to be sewing on the 201-3 transformed to treadle.  It makes a lovely stitch.  I don't know what is up with that 237.  Maybe it just doesn't make a nice straight stitch.  My 201-3 TTT (transformed To Treadle)  does.

This project is another tote bag.  I loved the bright colors of a linen kitchen towel map of the Caribbean.

 I wanted to preserve as much of the original design as I could.  I thought that I had secured the edge under the seam.  I hadn't.  I tried Steam a Seam but it wouldn't hold.  So I gave in and used the Kenmore.  I know it is an electric machine.  I know that my vow was to only treadle until the TOGA.  I failed.  So shoot me.

I like this stitch in this application  I think it will hold the edges together well and will bear up as this bag is used. 

The handles come next.  I was thinking of using that bright yellow.  I would rather use more green.  Just don't have it.  I might have some blue.....