When I was in grad school more than 20 years ago I ran across a Patagonia catalog. I was in San Diego, but I'm from Maine, and in Maine if you want clothes you go to Bean's at 3:00 in the morning to avoid crowds. The clothes in the catalog were a revelation in two ways. First, they were really well designed (and, as soon as I examined them in a store, I knew they were well made, too). Second, they were Synco-class expensive. Since I knew how to sew, having grown up in a household where everyone could sew, I used my summers to sew and get better at it. After a year I was not only doing Patagonia knock-offs just by looking at the pictures, I was also learning to tailor. Now I have 12 machines: my original Brother; an Italian Necchi; a Bernina 830 and a Bernina 810 (these are my go-to machines); two Singer 66s (spare parts!), one with a hand crank; three Singer 99s; a Singer 201; a Singer 301a; and a Singer serger. The 301a is currently my take-it-in-the-Vanagon machine, but I might get a Bernina 811. Straight stitch machines are great, but for finishing seams you really need more stitches or a serger. When you guys pointed out that aircooled engines in good tune sound like sewing machines, I thought -- oh, right! Okay. Oh, yeah, and I also have a Swiss multi-knife from Bernina and Wenger that's all sewing tools! As for fabric stores, I used to feel uncomfortable in there. But now I know that when it comes to sewing, I. Am. The. Man. Okay, boast and brag mode over. Mark 1982 Westy |
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