by Rachael, of Grandy and Baa (she makes seriously cute baby clothes -- here are links to her blog and her etsy shop)
Love it, hate it, or something in between? I love it. Ignore what my husband might tell you about the yelling and screaming at it - I confess that for the most part that would be user error. It's a simple machine to use and does everything I need it to. It has 18 stitch options, including some fancy stitches. I do wish this machine had a 1-step button hole – then it would be perfect. I would, without hesitation, recommend this machine to beginners, but it still has enough options available for an intermediate to advanced sewer. The machine comes with a load of feet and ‘things.’ I recently purchased an instruction manual online as we couldn't find the original one.
When did you buy this sewing machine? My mother bought this machine new as a spare about 22 years ago. My mother sews a lot - she used to make and sell children’s clothes, is a mad quilter, and teaches a sewing class. As my family lives in the country, Mum was worried that she would be stuck without a machine if her primary machine broke down. Although it didn't have as much use as her then Husqvarna, it was still used fairly often. My mother ‘lent’ it to me in the early 1990’s when I went off to University. I seem to have forgotten to give it back.
When was it manufactured? I am unsure of exactly when it was manufactured but I would say in the late 1970’s/1980’s. I understand that Janome made that model for some time.
Where did you buy it? It was purchased at a sewing machine store in Launceston, Tasmania, Australia. My overlocker/serger (a Christmas gift from my lovely mother) also came from the same store.
How much did you pay for it? My mother cannot recall exactly but I have seen this machine second hand for around $100.00US on eBay. I am ‘watching’ one on eBay at the moment and it’s at $25.00AUS! Fingers crossed I may have a twin soon…
How many projects have you done on this machine? Not including the many projects that my mother has done, I have probably done somewhere near 350 – 400 projects (including little jobs to big projects). For a number of years it was really only used for adjusting thrifted clothes.
Describe the kind of work you've done with it. I have done an amazing array of projects on this machine, including making curtains for a huge bedroom and lounge room, a play quilt for my baby, cushions, clothes for me, taking in and up clothes for others, lots of appliqué for my Etsy store, dozens and dozens of pouches used for packaging my sales, dresses, dress up costumes, lots of bags, bibs, softies, and the list goes on… Probably some of the most inventive projects I have made on this machine include a fabric ‘stair gate’ to shut off the stairs from our then baby (The Stella Stopper 2006), men’s and women’s shirts up-cycled into shopping bags (the long sleeves are the straps), and an astronaut’s costume made from sliver insulation food bags (the fabric covered ones that we get in the supermarkets in Australia).
What do you like and what do you hate about it? I love the sturdiness and simplicity of this machine – no fancy computers and things beeping at you. Just nice big dials! It is pretty forgiving as I have treated it quite badly at times – like sewing the massive curtains, or quilts that are probably a tad thick, or denim that could be confused with steel sheeting. It is pretty easy to maintain (oil free machine) but it could benefit from a good service (Mum, it’s time to visit me…) [editor's note: Rach's mother even does repairs!]. I hate that sometimes it won’t reverse when I need it too but I am sure that a good service can take care of that. I like that it has stood up to being moved all over Australia – I was tempted to take it when I moved to England for 2 years but it wouldn’t fit in my backpack – I had to be content with hand sewing (another story for another day…).
Recent Comments