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Manly Things, er, um...sewing machines

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The Gopher:
All good comments, i do a lot of hand stiching, it's all i got! and it seems like most you you guys do too, i was just curious. Although i don't think a sewing machine makes something any less primitive than hand stiching with polyethylene terephthalate (polyester, artificial sinew), sure doesn't sound primitive does it  ;D

i think one of the most useful things my mom taught me was how to use a sewing machine, making/mending hunting clothes, bow socks, duffle bags, etc, etc. I have two young boys, and they'll both learn to use a sewing machine.

sailordad:
Dan,nothing wrong with knowing how to use one.
and i agree it doesnt make any project less primitive.
but like others have stated,you do get a stronger stitch by hand.
a machine may make it quiker to stitch something up.
but this is just a hobby,so why rush  ;)

good for you on wanting to learn the younguns how to sew.
ive been darning my own socks and such since i was in the 5th grade.
i can stitch by hand,used to be able to use a machine(yrs ago).
thems life skills that youll be learnin them,just like how to make a bow ;D
life skils

Parnell:
I've had this discussion lately, also.  My wife does a fair amount of sewing, she's made clothes for the nieces and nephews, quilts and such, some bags and other odds and ends.  I've always greatly admired the craft.  I remember learning how to use one when I was young.  My mother always repaired stuff that could be or hemmed pants for me.  When I was a kid I just wanted to learn how to use it 'cause I thought it was fun!
Haven't touched one in awhile.  Lots of things that I'd love to get made though, but always ask Angie.  I don't know why.
Strange how it's been sort of 'typecast' as a more female tool, doesn't actually make any sense.  I always get a huge kick out of seeing natural fabrics being made and used.  It's really an extension of this pool of interest in my book - just like food and cooking.
I'd say some would argue that cooking is for the ladies. 
Not in my family!

Hillbilly:
I like to hand-stitch leather, too. I'd probably still hand-stitch it even if I had a machine that would sew it. I remember that my Grandma had one of those old treadle sewing machines that would stitch through durn near anything.

stickbender:

      There is nothing wrong with using a sewing machine......after all, it is a "Machine"  and men, use machines! ;)  Just don't put any lace, or other foo foos, on any of your projects, and keep to the manly color theme, then you will be fine. 8)  As for stitching by hand, I am like you, I can't afford anything for any heavy weight stuff, even canvas.  I used to do a lot of leather stuff when I was in high school, when my brother bought some stuff from Tandy, and then lost interest in it, after a year or so.  I still have his knife, and it is held by the thumb, and second finger, with the index on a little bow shaped piece on top.  Can't think of the name of it, and I have a three pronged lacing hole cutter, and even some of the stamps, for making designs in the leather.    You can make all these things your self.  Somewhere I have a couple of lacing needles.  I used to have a marking wheel, for marking the sewing holes, to keep them even without having to eyeball it, but I normally use the three pronger without going all the way through, just enough to mark it.  Though I do alright without it.  I bought a medical wheel, quite similar, but longer spikes, and quite sharp.  It is used to test for sensitivity.  Thought it might make a good marking wheel.  When I sew something, especially something long, like a quiver, or such, I have two pieces of trim mold, that has a round bevel on the top, and flat on the backside.  The kind used against the wall and floor.  Base boards, actually.  They are about a foot and a half long.  After I have marked the sewing holes, and used an awl on the leather, I then line up the pieces, and clamp them in the boards, with just the stitch site above the rounded edge, of the board clamps, and depending on what I am sewing, I will either just hold it in my hands, or clamp it in a vice, and sew.  I get the clamps to hold the boards together at the "Mans store"  Harbor F.   ;D  Makes the sewing much faster.  I just use the sewing awl with a lock stitch.  I have and occasionally still use needles, and hand. With the board clamping the pieces together, it's also is easier to control the piece you are sewing, and not get the thread all tangled up with the piece you are sewing. ;)  If you are familiar with sewing, then I don't need to tell you about turning it inside out first, then turning it right side out.  ::) You can use shorter pieces of trim mold, for smaller size projects.  This size just works well for me.  I saw an Eskimo, or Inuit rain coat made from a couple of walrus bladders.  It was very light, and somewhat transparent.  It was in a Museum in Daytona, Florida, and the card said it was hand sewn.  It looked like a machine had done it. :o  But I guess when you have been doing this sort of thing since you were a small child, you tend to get pretty good at it.  It basically looked like VERY thin rawhide, but it was very flexible looking.  Pretty neat !  8)

                                                                          Wayne

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