Remember the Pfaff

Today Betsy and I went to fetch a Barrister Book Case for my fabric.  I wanted something that is enclosed to store the fabric.  I found it on Craigslist and she helped me with her truck.

When we got there, both of us knew that it was over priced and cheaply made.  I bought it anyway.  I felt obligated, since I had said that I would buy it.

"I am sure you would pay more for it brand new at Wal Mart."

"Be careful of the back. Don't break the cardboard."

"Look genuine imitation cherry veneer."

Between her teasing me and my perseverating, we have spent the morning laughing and lamenting all at the same time about it.  Of course, we also remembered all the deals we made along with some of the other really really stupid purchases.  We vowed that we would, in the future, save each other from similar mistakes.

"You have to save me, next time Betsy. Just tell me 'No.'

"Yes, but I thought you really wanted it.  OK  how about if you ask me 'What do you think?' and that way if you really want it, you can say so, otherwise we can just say we're sorry and leave."

"OK, I guess that could work.  Still, I can't believe I bought it.  You should have jumped in and stopped me."

"But I thought you really wanted it."

"I did! But it was just STUPID of me to buy it!" 

Betsy is such a good friend.  She just HAD to make me feel better.

"Well, remember that  [expletive deleted]  Pfaff that I bought that has too many steps and I can't figure out how to work and I hate?  See, I do it too. You were there.  You were supposed to stop me then, too!"

"So, when I am about to spend too much on a piece of junk, just say:

'Remember the Pfaff!'"

Waiting

I wanted to pet him but I thought better of it.  He is watching me, though.  Wonder why dogs get in to the driver's seat when the human abandons them?  Frannie does the same thing.  She is small enough that she can fit, all curled up, in the driver seat.  This guy is big.

I know this isn't about sewing or sewing machines.  But did you really want to hear all about how I cleaned the house, had MY teeth cleaned and then cleaned the sewing loft?  (Sort of.  It's a work in progress, as always)

Looking at a dog driving is much more fun.....

This weekend...photos of machines and more adventures.  I took the icky tension assembly apart on the 115.  It needs a check spring.  Wonder if the check spring for a 15-91 will work?  I guess I will find out....

Viking 6000 something

Sometime in 1979 or 1980 I traded in my Kenmore for a Viking 6000 something.  I can't remember the exact model number.   I had that machine for years.  I wish I still had it.  I gave it to a co-worker when Mom bought the Viking Quilt Designer for me.  I thought it was frivolous to have two machines.  That was about 12 years ago.  I wish I still had the Kenmore and the Viking.  What great machines.  I upgraded to a Designer II.  I am not in love with that machine. 

Yesterday I was shopping for a storage cabinet for my fabric. I want to be able to see it.  I am hoping that something like a glass door armoire or hutch would work.  I went to Sal's (Salvation Army) in search of something used....  No luck with the furniture.  But when I rounded the corner to exit an aisle I saw a bin and immediately recognized its contents:

That is a roman shade that I made about 1993 or 1994.  I used the Viking.  I looked at the stitches.  Nice and straight.  Wish I still had the machine.

I know how the shades (there are two more) ended up at Sal's.  Finally someone where I used to live got tired of them, took them down and donated them.  I wasn't sad.  I was pleased, and somewhat surprised,  to see that they were so well made.  Like I said, I wish I still had that machine.....

Happy Birthday, AGAIN

Today is Betsy's birthday.  In celebration, yesterday we drove off to West Springfield, MA to shop at Osgoods (http://www.osgoodtextile.com/).  It was overwhelming. 

This is Betsy's cart.  I was not allowed to show her; only her cart

This is my cart, after much of it was already measured and cut.

Russ, the nice gentleman who cut our fabric, was congenial and cheerful.  He suggested that we come back during the week.  It is not as busy then.  I think we just might.  There were a lot of people there.  But no one had carts as full as ours.  It took us an hour just to have our fabric measured and cut and for us to check out. 

This is a wheel on one of the carts.  Talk about a thread nest.  The thing rolls.  But not very well....

We had a blast.

I now have a life time supply of fabric, to match my lifetime supply of sewing machines....

I can't wait to go back in the spring to celebrate MY birthday......

MSMO First Anniversary

Tomorrow is the blog's first anniversary.  Thank you all for reading.  I find it hard to believe that there have been over 40,000 hits.  Wow.

The truth comes out

Steven has been very tolerant of my obsession.  But this morning he finally confessed that I ALWAYS promise to fix some article of his clothing and  I NEVER do.  Of course this is hyperbole.  I rarely offer to fix anything of his because I honestly am not good at alterations nor do I like mending.  But this morning I did comment that his pants needed to be taken in.  So that's when the truth came out.

So tonight after dog haircut and baths, I hemmed a pair of his pants.

I should learn how to alter clothes.  While I am sleeping

Singer 115

The mystery machine is a Singer 115.  A rotary hook.  This particular one is from 1916.  And she does turn over.  All she needed was some Tri Flow.

Now off to groom another dog.