Be My Baby

or How I Talked The Boy Into Letting Me Buy Another Machine

I’ve recently experienced some frustration with the computerized Viking I received from my mother-in-law a few years ago. While I do appreciate it, and it is a far better machine than the one I had been using since high school, at times I feel it is unnecessarily complex. I’ve accepted that this is likely due to user error and decided to take a break.

Then I read Gertie's post on button pressers vs. knob turners, and something clicked. Perhaps the problem is simply an incompatibility between my innate love of knob turning and a button operated machine. I half-heartedly lusted after a newer mechanical like the Bernina 1008, but knew that it would be months before I could afford one. Peter's post about vintage sewing machines came shortly after that, and prompted to me to scour Craigslist like a madwoman.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how I found my new baby. I’d like to introduce the newest addition to my family – a Singer Slant-O-Matic 500A Rocketeer.

I have yet to meet her, as a dear family friend is holding her until we can get to the other side of the state (Thank you again, Candy!). I think Peter may have been on to something; the anticipation is a bit like waiting to meet a child. I just keep looking at her picture and I am and positively giddy.