Readers, I am delighted to announce the winner of the Dec 2011/Jan 2012 issue of Vogue Patterns with my vintage sewing machine article in it.
She's a motorcycle-riding fiber artist from the Lone Star State, please put you hands together for RatherBeSewing!
RatherBeSewing, be sure to email me (peterlappinnyc at gmail dot com) with your mailing address and I'll get the magazine off to you ASAP. Congratulations!
In other news, friends, occasionally while trolling the sewing machine listings on eBay, I come across something that strikes me as simultaneously desirable and repellent. I saw this lamp listed earlier in the week and I couldn't decide whether it was really cool or ugly as all get out. In the end, I decided to let it go.
But I just discovered that it's been relisted (no one bid the first time, do you believe it?). Anyone who's interested has until November 16 to bid!
Friends, I must ask you -- what do you think of this lamp? Is it a must-have for any sewing fanatic, or does it have "Daily Ditch" written all over it?
I can't decide. Maybe with a slightly larger shade....?
It's called a "sewing machine replica," but as far as I can tell, that's a real sewing machine under there. I mean, what kind of replica would have both a bobbin winder and a feed dog drop lever?
In closing, are you the type of person who buys sewing-related kitsch: pencil sharpeners, clocks, things like that? At MPB, we don't judge, so fess up.
Happy Friday, everybody!
The latter, Peter. This thing has daily ditch written all over it!
ReplyDeleteIt's a daily ditch!
ReplyDeleteDaily ditch for sure. Someone needs to kidnap your paypal account fast! Stand back from the 'buy this' button!!!!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Daily Ditch! I don't have room for sewing kitsch, because I buy way too much in the way of fabric, trims and patterns!
ReplyDeleteTotal Daily Ditch! Speaking of, what happened to that regular feature? I miss my little window into Peter's closet...
ReplyDeleteOk, sniff, but a sportsmanlike congratulation to Ratherbesewing!!
ReplyDeletesniff-sniff - I'll have to go hunting for VP in NL now
Oh: don't let it come to DD'ing that horrible thing.
@Suzanne: have you considered that it might be empty by now? [[Second thought - That's beyond imagination]]
Daily ditch - daily ditch - daily ditch.
ReplyDeleteYou better spend the money for some nice fabric. Sewing machines are for sewing, not to hold ugly lamp shades.
OMG that piece of junk should've stayed in the dump it was found! That's a Ditch with a capital D.
ReplyDeleteand no...I have no desire what so ever to own sewing related kitsch (rubbish).
hrmph...like everyone else besides RatherBeSewing, i'll be hunting down the magazine.
That lamp is a total daily ditch!
ReplyDeleteWhy spend money on a sewing machine lamp when you could buy another sewing machine? Much more practical, as you can use it for sewing. If you need light get something small and powerful, so it leaves more room for the sewing machines.
I don't really see the appeal of sewing related kitsch - we already have so much sewing stuff (fabric, thread, patterns, notions, etc) that I really can't find a reason to add extra clutter with stuff that won't be pulling any weight in terms of getting any actual sewing done.
It's a ditch!
ReplyDeleteStep away from the sewing machine lamp! That has daily ditch written all over it. The only place I could see that at home in would be a vintage or consignment boutique that offers tailoring.
ReplyDeleteThat charm bracelet, on the other hand, would be a welcome addition to my collection of kitsh!
Ditch, ditch, ditch! The bracelet is cute, though.
ReplyDeleteI will enable the bracelet fans. You can find it here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.etsy.com/listing/62026607/love-to-sew-charm-bracelet-scissors?ref=sr_gallery_5&ga_search_type=all&ga_includes[0]=tags&ga_search_query=measuring_tape&ga_facet=
That lamp is hideous, don't buy it. If you need more light, then add some track lighting--it won't take up precious desk space where you could put a functioning machine. You would rather have a new machine? Of course you would!
ReplyDeleteThat bracelet is cute though!
As for the lamp, the word "abomination" came to mind. I agree with T. Sedai and better, smaller lighting and more sewing machines.
ReplyDeleteThe lamp is Daily Ditch for sure! For a similar effect, you could place a lampshade over one of your lesser-used machines...
ReplyDeleteAbomidable lamp, massacre of a sewing machine, bulky, ugly--ditch doubled. I like sewing tools that are efficient and beautiful, not kitschy junk. I'd just rather spend my money on stuff that counts, that lifts my spirits and helps me sew better. My (newly redecorated) sewing room is resplendent with sewing books, a large oval mirror, cutting table, machines, and windows. Oh, and unfinished projects...
ReplyDelete@Kristina: not my taste either, to be very clear, the kitsch stuff.
ReplyDeleteBut I think for some out there, that stuff really counts. Whether that is worrying... All a matter of taste I guess.
Daily Ditch
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I have is a watch that has a ruler as the waistband and scissors as the hands. Very cute.
Ditch. And clearly someone else's ditch.
ReplyDeleteAnd no on the kitsch. Though I admit to considering using sewing-themed fabric for the cover for my featherweight that I need to make...
Daily Ditch, it should never have been created in my opinion. The only sewing related junk that I desire is the most beautiful, wonderful sewing room ever created!! Or two. One for knits and one for wovens. I hate getting my needles mixed up.
ReplyDeleteBe careful ditching the sewing junk- one day it may be a treasure. As a third generation sewer I have inherited a large hope chest full of fabric bought on sale dating back to probably the 1930's or 1940's that never made it into a project- also a small chest filled with spools of thread with wooden spools they must be pre 1965? and other sewing items like darning eggs that are no longer in use, these items could have been ditched but have become a family memory to be handed down
ReplyDeleteSarah C
That particular lamp - daily ditch. Now to be fair, I have seen similar lamps but done with machines that still had nice paint and decals, and a wood base, that looked OK.
ReplyDeleteAs far as other sewing-themed items, I haven't gotten into that. My money goes to fabric and patterns. That bracelet is cute though!
Replica, my butt. That looks like a real sewing machine to me. Maybe they thought "replica" sounded better than "sewing machine that no longer works." But as a lamp? Ditch.
ReplyDeleteAs for sewing-related kitsch I did have a little sewing machine pencil sharpener that looked more like a knick-knack than a pencil sharpener, but that's it.
Congrats to Ratherbesewing. I am SO jealous!
Your sewing machine lamp is like taking a perfectly good out-of-tolerance airplane propeller and ramming a dorky clock in the middle of the propeller shaft hole.
ReplyDeleteAnd mis-informed people have tried to turn airplane propellers into lamps too.
Obscene.
I must vote against the sewing machine lamp - it really is ugly as all get out!!
ReplyDeleteI have to confess, I do buy sewing related kitsch. I just can't help it, but it is usually something small - no clocks!
That lamp is a horror. Just think: a sewing machine died so that it could be turned into a... lamp!
ReplyDeleteI don't like and don't buy sewing-related kitsch. This leaves more money for fabric and yarn!
No, No NO to the hideous lamp!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'd wear little sewing machine earrings, though.
run from that monstrosity Peter!!!
ReplyDeleteDaily ditch! Although I'd like to find one locally to use for our annual white elephant exchange...
ReplyDeleteIt's so nice to see such a consensus - so rare these days. This lurker would have been astonished if any of you talented creative sewists had voted for that hideous lamp!
ReplyDeleteI think this is going to be a first - Peter's going to be pre-ditching something.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Peter; sometimes it's GOOD to be an enabler!
ReplyDeleteAs a concept the sewing machine lamp could work, but that is one ugly sewing machine combined with an ugly lamp. Ugliness raised to the power of ugly. A definite "what were they thinking!"
ReplyDeleteOh, and perhaps the replica applies to the lamp rather than the sewing machine? Maybe it's not a real lamp just a pretend one?
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to autograph it for the winner!
ReplyDeleteAlso the business end of that sewing lamp looks like it might be an industrial machine.
ReplyDeleteLamp: horrid.
ReplyDeleteCharm Bracelet: Cathy worthy and witty, but the thread coming out of the button looks like a worm!
Daily Ditch if I ever saw one - just think, you'd have to dust that hideous thing.
ReplyDeleteDo not even consider it. Please