Another Zig ZagTreadle

I have a serious problem.  I am in love with this machine.

 This was one of the first machines I bought when I first became infected with VSMAD.  I got it out today so that I could test it out for Ls.  She needs a zz treadle.  Well, she doesn't NEED one.  She wants one.  But I am not sure she knows that she wants one.  I think that she should have one.  After all, she loves to treadle and has been acquiring antique treadles at an alarming rate.  Alarming, maybe only to her husband.  But, honestly, he doesn't seem THAT alarmed.

Vintage Sewing Machine Acquisition Disorder (VSMAD) is contagious.   It seems that my new friend Ls has caught the bug.  She came to the TOGA on September 23.  At that time she owned three machines. Two Berninas (yes, I am jealous) and one White Rotary.  She is now up to seven machines.  All of them (save the Berninas) are people powered.  She has more than doubled her stable in just over a month.  

We went to a quilt show yesterday in Old Forge.    It was beautiful.  You can check out the show at
http://viewarts.org/index.php?option=com_k2&view=item&id=122:quilts-unlimited&Itemid=182.

Our friend Ln has two quilts on display.

We met her there.  I learned an awful lot about quilting and about thread.   We had a terrific time.  I am inspired. Oh and I delivered a 237 to Ln. She fell in love with mine at the TOGA.  I had an extra and so now Ln has a 237, too.  For more of her wonderful stuff, check out her blog: http://artinsearch.blogspot.com/


Since I drove, I had Ls as a captive audience.  I suggested that she consider a zig zag that she could pop into one of her stands.  That's when I thought of the Riccar.  So I got it out today.

Nope, she is not getting it.  I love it.  The feed dogs drop, it has a very classy Retro 60s look and it makes a gorgeous stitch. I think its satin stitch is every bit as good as that of the 237. 

I even played with FMQ.  I got better the more I practiced.  It is a very smooth machine.  Like I said, I am in love.

I am willing to let go of the remaining 237.  Though I must admit, it will be a sacrifice.  

ORGANIZE !!!

Since I can't work on machines and since I can hardly sew (it still hurts to do too much with my left thumb) I have decided this would be a good time to organize my photos.

I have taken many, many, many photos since I started this hobby in September 2010.    They are mostly stored chronologically on the Apple.  It is a slow process, organizing.  I don't have that gene so it is harder for me.  I get distracted easily. 

In the process of organizing I found some photos of machines rather forgotten.  This one, in particular, reminds me of where I was when I first started this insanity.

I bought this machine in Eastern New York State in September 2010.  Steven and his son, along with our neighbor and his son rode their bicycles to Vermont.

Sonja and I were on our way to fetch them a week later. (we didn't want to make them ride home, too.  260 miles is a long way)

It was a really nice day in September and we stopped at some yard sales in Saratoga Springs (We were disappointed.  We thought rich people in Saratoga would have good stuff....not so.  I mean who is going to buy a pair of beat up old, size 12 Dansko clogs that need new soles?)

I had lined up a sewing machine to look at on Craigs List and we had picked it up just south of Saratoga.  When I bought it, it was complete.  This photo is one I took after I had taken much of it apart trying to rescue it.  I know better now.

 Sonja was gracious and kind.  She drove (we had to transport three men and three bicycles back from Vermont.  Her Highlander was bigger than anything Steven and I owned at the time).  We stopped along the route at several yard sales.  We saw no sewing machines.  Finally we had decided that we were just going to head north when we passed a sale.  Sonja turned around. 

I saw the Riccar.  It was 20 bucks.  I was looking it over and trying to figure it out.  "After you bought that last machine,  are you really going to haggle over 20 bucks?"   Honest, I was not going to haggle.  But I certainly had understandable buyer's remorse over that 128.  I was tryig to decide if I should buy it or not. 

Of course, we know the ending.  I bought it  and I am glad that I did.  It is a good strong end loader ZZ machine.  It is sturdy and will sew through pretty thick stuff. Looking at the photo of it now, I wonder if it could be treadled.  I guess, when my thumb is better, I could check that out.  The sucker weighs about 35 pounds, maybe 40. No way can I try lifting it now.  I wonder.......maybe Steven could help?...