Tuesday 24 July 2007

tool of choice

I have a 100 year old typewriter that, well, isn’t in operation. Apparently all it needs is a thorough clean and some tape. But I haven’t gotten off my arse to do anything about it. It lives on our shelf looking helpless, glaring at me every time I answer a visitor’s question ‘does it work’ in the negative. I was therefore a little skeptical about my own enthusiasm for an old Singer sewing machine I dug out in a junk shop. I was taken by its wooden case with its original key attached. Forcing Michal to come with the car (the mother was heavy like all hell), I convinced him that regardless of its useless status, I was going to get the thing fixed and sew on it like no tomorrow. And my, did I get it fixed! A measly 70 zloty (round AUD $35) at the local sewing machine fixer-upperer shop later, the beauty purrs beyond my highest expectations. What’s more, the Singer sent all the fixer-upperer men in raptures, with its mint condition and rust-freeness. Turns out the machine was made in 1921, has all original engine parts, was part of the first run of portable electric sewing machines in the world and its original plug is made out of ceramic!! Woo hoo. What a friggin score. It has been put the test already and I love it. A bag has been made.

The sewing machine was purchased for 140 zloty (round AUD $70) at the junk shop.


'Portable Electric'



with wee key

11 comments:

Justyna said...

Maybe if you ask politely.

Anonymous said...

very, very cool! so impressed with your bag effort in what... a day? can you post a pic?

i made a pencilcase at school once. it took, *ahem* 5 weeks. or something equally as ridiculous. mind you, i did tie dye the material first. and i used it for a while.

Anonymous said...

beautiful machine, now get to work and make me a bag... please!

jk1

marcin said...

fine piece of machinery Jazz. love the detail. It reminds me of the one at Storrady, all heavy metal, lether straps and drive belts - that was all pedal power though, very eco.

Anonymous said...

one of the coolest things i remember about babcia's machine was the 'heavy' sound it made.

Tabitha said...

What a beauty! I don't want a bag, I just want you to start a Craft Club.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely stunning. I love the detail all over it? Is that a stork or something of the like on it?

Natalia

mischa said...

wow. it's beautiful, functional and of historical value - that's my kind of tool.

liamski said...

You may remember my mum is quite a collector of these things. Her current collection numbers around fifteen. The latest purchase was from ebay where she entered bid, expecting to be outbid. She wasn't and I ended up going to Campbelltown to pick the thing up.

It's a slippery slope if you're not careful!

beth said...

Wow - that is stunning! The detailing on it!! Good purchase!

Anonymous said...

This lovely thing has already achieved a pet status at ours. Justyna is close to saying good night to it. That is the way if you have allergy for cats...