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Posted by John on March 30, 2009, 7:52 pm
I think you know that I converted a Bernina 1008 into a treadle
powered sewing machine. I haven't really gotten into it to any large
degree, until now. I am in the middle of the process of quilting
another of my "use up all the solids" quilts. I heretofore have only
played around with the treadle for short periods of time as I didn't
really consider it a serious machine. It was mainly an exercise in
retro-technology that I had wanted to do for some time. Ok, so I
decided to devote an entire quilt to this machine and see how I liked
it. The change to manual, or foot power, required a different group of
skills to do the things that I did with an electric machine. You do
the same things but just do them differently. I think I have found a
new love. This method of sewing is so much more relaxed and yet
precise that I may never go back to the modern electric machines
again. I know that is a bit much to say after only doing one quilt.
But suffice to say, this experience has given me a whole new focus,
about quilting. You know the whole argument about slow food? Well I am
here to make a plea for slow quilting. At least as it pertains to
machine quilting. I am even thinking of converting the other 1008 I
own into another treadle but with a different cabinet to use it in.
This has been one of the most enjoyable experiences I have had in a
long time that involved a sewing machine. It does take a few different
techniques when it comes to machine operation. You have to do some
things a little differently, in handling the mechanics of sewing. But
the slower speed gives you a chance to focus on the precision of
placing the needle in just the right place as you guide the fabric
through the pressure foot that it produces a wonderfully clean
stitching line. I know I was prone to sew too fast, sometimes, with
the electric machines. I was sometimes forced to rip out and do over
some less than perfect stitching lines. Not so with this older
technology. You get it right the first time. Being as how I am not
trying to accomplish any great volume of quilting by any set deadline,
this type of quilting seems to appeal to my sense of doing something
right and precise the first time, and enjoying it. We will have to see
if the bloom comes off the rose as I continue along this path, but for
now I have discovered a wonderful way to do something I enjoy and that
is not a bad thing. It places me in a time frame of mind that I think
of as simpler and maybe more pure, if that is possible. Maybe it is
just the romantic in me, but it does work. Just thought I would pass
along my observations. I will post the pictures of the quilt in a
couple of days when it is done. We now return control of this thought
to the 21st century.
John
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Posted by onetexsun on March 30, 2009, 8:46 pm
John, some of my most serene memories from childhood are of sitting by
my Granny, my feet making the treadle go and her lovely, strong hands
moving the quilt under the needle. I got to sew on the machine a
couple of times, tiny things I'm sure involving straight seams and no
margin for error. But I still remember the feel. When I was grown, I
got a spinning wheel and fell in love. It was the same incredibly
serene feeling. Much like meditation, except easier to find myself in
that "room" where I go. I sadly gave up my spinning wheel because I
had nothing to do with the yarn I was producing. I don't knit or
anything, and tried to learn but failed miserably. Using my hands is
nothing like the interaction of my food on that pedal, wool strands
slipping between my fingers, twisting into yarn....
I have considered a treadle machine because of my experience with my
Granny's machine and my spinning. I understand your instant love and
have no doubt that you will find yourself using the treadle much more
than the motorized machines. Sometimes we try to make something go
fast when instead we should be slowing down. I believe if enough of us
slow ourselves, maybe this rush of the world into a cold and perhaps
frantic future might slow just a fraction and give us time to
contemplate, learn, and truly choose.
Sunny
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Posted by John on March 30, 2009, 9:28 pm
show/hide quoted text
> John, some of my most serene memories from childhood are of sitting by
> my Granny, my feet making the treadle go and her lovely, strong hands
> moving the quilt under the needle. I got to sew on the machine a
> couple of times, tiny things I'm sure involving straight seams and no
> margin for error. But I still remember the feel. When I was grown, I
> got a spinning wheel and fell in love. It was the same incredibly
> serene feeling. Much like meditation, except easier to find myself in
> that "room" where I go. I sadly gave up my spinning wheel because I
> had nothing to do with the yarn I was producing. I don't knit or
> anything, and tried to learn but failed miserably. Using my hands is
> nothing like the interaction of my food on that pedal, wool strands
> slipping between my fingers, twisting into yarn....
> I have considered a treadle machine because of my experience with my
> Granny's machine and my spinning. I understand your instant love and
> have no doubt that you will find yourself using the treadle much more
> than the motorized machines. Sometimes we try to make something go
> fast when instead we should be slowing down. I believe if enough of us
> slow ourselves, maybe this rush of the world into a cold and perhaps
> frantic future might slow just a fraction and give us time to
> contemplate, learn, and truly choose.
> Sunny
Sunny, I would think you would find weaving to be very rewarding.
Especially since you were into the production of the wool yarn. I
built a loom a number of years ago and loved the rhythmic sound of the
beater moving back and forth and making a solid bolt of fabric out of
a collection of strands of yarn. I sold that loom because of space
considerations when we moved to a smaller house, but now that I have a
larger house, it is back on my radar for things to do again. I would
think you might give it some thought, as to your possible interest. Or
to put it another way, You can never have too many interests.
John
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Posted by onetexsun on March 30, 2009, 11:50 pm
True, John, one can never have too many interests. But one CAN have
too little money. LOL. A return to spinning (and maybe weaving) will
have to await the entrance of my Fairy Godmother.
Sunny
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Posted by John on March 31, 2009, 7:39 am
show/hide quoted text
> True, John, one can never have too many interests. But one CAN have
> too little money. LOL. A return to spinning (and maybe weaving) will
> have to await the entrance of my Fairy Godmother.
> Sunny
Ah yes, the old conundrum of Champaign taste complicated by a Beer
budget. That has affected my most of my life.
John
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> my Granny, my feet making the treadle go and her lovely, strong hands
> moving the quilt under the needle. I got to sew on the machine a
> couple of times, tiny things I'm sure involving straight seams and no
> margin for error. But I still remember the feel. When I was grown, I
> got a spinning wheel and fell in love. It was the same incredibly
> serene feeling. Much like meditation, except easier to find myself in
> that "room" where I go. I sadly gave up my spinning wheel because I
> had nothing to do with the yarn I was producing. I don't knit or
> anything, and tried to learn but failed miserably. Using my hands is
> nothing like the interaction of my food on that pedal, wool strands
> slipping between my fingers, twisting into yarn....
> I have considered a treadle machine because of my experience with my
> Granny's machine and my spinning. I understand your instant love and
> have no doubt that you will find yourself using the treadle much more
> than the motorized machines. Sometimes we try to make something go
> fast when instead we should be slowing down. I believe if enough of us
> slow ourselves, maybe this rush of the world into a cold and perhaps
> frantic future might slow just a fraction and give us time to
> contemplate, learn, and truly choose.
> Sunny