Tuesday, January 18, 2011

She's back!

singer
This old blue singer has been on display in my studio for over a year. I've been a bit intimidated by the motor's loud roar, so it sat idle on a shelf day after day.  I'm also very attached to my younger and quieter sewing machine...  but back in December, that trusty "new" Pfaff decided that it had seen one too many coffee sacks without a tune up- and quit. What poor timing. It was just the nudge I needed to finally dust off the Singer, put in a pair of ear plugs (just kidding!), and give her a whirl. The manual helped me to adjust the tensions and understand a few quirks. I felt very resourceful and even a bit Fix It Friday-ish. I made a few simple projects, but honestly I just couldn't stop pining for my Pfaff... who was taking weeks and weeks to be repaired. I truly moped about my studio without her. I don't usually attach gender to inanimate objects, but sewing machines seem to be my exception. I've often thought of them as friends (or foes) and they are always feminine to me.  My love for this particular sewing machine runs deeper than any other that has ever been in my life.  A couple of days ago I got the call... she was ready to come home.
"she ain't heavy, she's my... Pfaff"
I feel a bit silly sharing my elation, but it was similar to the reunion of a long lost friend. I even made calls to the important people in my life to announce her return.  Please don't feel worried about my abandoning the little blue one.We're buddies now. I will be sure to bring her out to play more often,  but... well- this photo speaks for itself!
my friend has returned!
I'm off to SEW!! Pin It
Posted by mayaluna at 10:46 AM Labels: ,

33 comments:

  1. Angel FunkJanuary 18, 2011 at 11:01 AM

    YAY! I had a similar experience with my machine last year. It's amazing how having something unavailable sparks a new appreciation! (Love the third picture!)

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  2. mayalunaJanuary 18, 2011 at 11:06 AM

    Mama Angel- Glad you were reunited with your machine and yes, a new appreciation!

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  3. AnonymousJanuary 18, 2011 at 11:17 AM

    I can asure you there is nothing wrong with calling your sewing mashine she, it's actually "die Nähmaschine" in german (female pronoun) and since Pfaff is a german brand it is only perfectly logic to call your sewing machine she :-)

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  4. mayalunaJanuary 18, 2011 at 11:27 AM

    Heldin des Chaos- how wonderful and even logical, for that matter!

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  5. Maureen Cracknell HandmadeJanuary 18, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    I love the color of your machine -- happy you have her back!

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  6. Sonia / COZY MEMORIESJanuary 18, 2011 at 11:57 AM

    aaah my machine is relieved to know that her long distance twin is back on track !! yay ! enjoy my friend ! xoxo

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  7. AnonymousJanuary 18, 2011 at 12:13 PM

    Glad you have your good friend back although that Singer is a sweet little girl too. There will be burlap everywhere I am sure....xox Corrine

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  8. Lisa Nelsen-WoodsJanuary 18, 2011 at 1:09 PM

    I did the happy dance when I got my sewing machine back from my Miracle Repair Man. I thought she was a goner but he brought her back to life.

    I've been sewing like crazy now that I have time after the holidays.

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  9. This is My LifeJanuary 18, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    Pretty blue machine. Love the photos of you and your machine. Sew, sew sew!!!

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  10. ELKJanuary 18, 2011 at 2:36 PM

    happy sewing..don't you know that singer is happy too!!!

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  11. momma raeJanuary 18, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    you are so cute! she must be a great machine. ;)

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  12. UnknownJanuary 18, 2011 at 3:42 PM

    Yippee! You look so happy - even in the snow! lol! x

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  13. ConnyJanuary 18, 2011 at 5:11 PM

    I love your little blue Singer. It may feel silly to have such an affection for your newer machine, but I laughed a bit because ... I wrote an ode to an Elna last September. The link is - http://everythingssorandum.blogspot.com/2010/09/i-miss-you-sweet-elna-letter-to-my.html if you want to read about "her."

    Great post. Glad Miss Pfaff has returned to keep you happy. Cheers~

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  14. TaraJanuary 18, 2011 at 5:30 PM

    The blue Singer is so pretty but I can see the excitement in the last picture which I love.

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  15. JennyJanuary 18, 2011 at 6:15 PM

    I have that same singer...but maybe the next step up b/c it has a zigzag option. :) But otherwise, just the same...with that loud motor on the back and the funny light attached to it. :) I too have my favorite machine. Its a singer too but is SOOOO old. It was my Nana's that she made clothes for my mom on when my mom was tiny. It comes in its own handy table. Alas, it only straight stiches so when I need a zigzag, my singer like yours comes out. :)

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  16. Indigo, madder, marigoldJanuary 18, 2011 at 7:43 PM

    Oh man, I feel the same way about my machine. When she first came to live with me, in my bedroom, I would wake in the night and there she would be...lovely in silouette. I would sigh and go back to sleep. All is well in the world when one's sewing machine is near and healthy!

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  17. AnonymousJanuary 18, 2011 at 8:03 PM

    Great post! My mom has a Pfaff that she enjoys,too.

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  18. Stephinie ~ Gypsy ForestJanuary 18, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    Too cute... I love my girl too :) I totally understand!

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  19. AmyJanuary 18, 2011 at 11:07 PM

    I think it's kind of fantastic that you feel that strongly about a useful object of any kind! I think the most important things have spirits. And that last photo of you is delightful--and with your cute Reinvention Skirt peeking out from your coat too!

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  20. Lisa RenataJanuary 18, 2011 at 11:39 PM

    You are a funny gal! Welcome back Pfaff! (which reminds me my sewing machine needs a tune up...)

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  21. renee ~ heirloom seasonsJanuary 18, 2011 at 11:53 PM

    Oh I used to get to sew on an old machine just like that! It wasn't mine, but I loved it. It is easy to understand sewing machine love, I am happy for you and yours :)

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  22. SaraswatiChBJanuary 19, 2011 at 7:08 AM

    My sis got a new brother sewing machine with blue cover for the threads and she called her "Madame Pompadour". Since I have the previous brother model with the pink cover, I called mine "Marie Antoinette"... We love our sewing machine ladies...

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  23. denice@inkstitchJanuary 19, 2011 at 8:58 AM

    Yes, yes, certain inanimate objects DO evoke this kind of love, I get that! I am very lucky in that my FIL is the most trusted sewing machine repairman in this area. As long as I can get into his queue I -- and my "girls" -- are always well cared for.

    Have fun sewing!

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  24. Melissa de la FuenteJanuary 19, 2011 at 10:11 AM

    You are adorable Maya! Glad your "friend" is back & hope you sewed and sewed and sewed! :)
    xo
    Melis

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  25. Gumbo LilyJanuary 19, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    I'm so glad your young friend is all patched up and ready to work side-by-side with you once again. I think your trusty blue Singer friend has aged gracefully!

    Happy Sewing!
    Jody

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  26. costumegalJanuary 20, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    I just got a new machine. I hope I love it as much as you love yours! The purchase was a long time coming: I was in denial for several months, and I was very pleased with the loaner I had in the interim--a 1930's Singer with the ol' knee pedal. http://ny-image3.etsy.com/il_570xN.184069795.jpg My professor bought it in the 60's when she graduated, and it still runs like a dream. But she did want it back...I guess we all get attached to our girls!

    xoxoxos-Viviane

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  27. spread your wingsJanuary 21, 2011 at 10:46 AM

    came here today via ELK. what a cute post. I love old sewing machines. I just recently got an old turquoise-colored White sewing machine. and my favorite machine to use is my moms old singer. very heavy though.

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  28. margieJanuary 21, 2011 at 11:51 AM

    i dropped that same sewing machine in that same case on my toe. broke it and cried for days. that is one heavy sewing machine.

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  29. Margie OomenJanuary 21, 2011 at 11:18 PM

    now if only i felt the same way about my vacuum cleaner
    xo

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  30. AndreaJanuary 23, 2011 at 8:31 AM

    I don't know what I would do with out my sewing machine!!! I love your lacy lampshade cover. How did you make it?

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  31. Ka-PowJuly 1, 2011 at 12:37 PM

    Hello, I have the light blue Singer Machine, I have inherited it from my grandmother. I used to love watching her sew on this and she once showed me how to use it but... I stupidly never asked about the machine, how old it is when she bought it, silly really and now I wonder very much. Do you happen to know when this model was made? Mine says Serial number K10717580 and Cat.no as BAK60-12. It also came in a big metal carry case, I would love to know I only have this and my memory's of Gran. Thanks for any help x

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  32. mayalunaJuly 2, 2011 at 11:13 AM

    Ka-pow I'm not sure, but I think it's younger than I thought. I looked for a date on the manual and it says 1963 for this model which is a 285J. Good luck researching it, it's a wonderful treasure to have along with your memories of her.

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  33. Threaded CitySeptember 19, 2011 at 10:29 PM

    Love it! I have the same machine :) Could you post the serial number and all that fun technical stuff? Mine does not have any information on it beyond the voltage, and of course I dont have the manual. I'd really appreciate it. Thank you!!

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