About
Who runs this joint, anyway?
Julie and her Singer 168 Post Bed leather machine
Hi! I’m Julie. That’s me sitting at my workhorse of a leather machine, Matilda. (Yes, I name all my machines. Doesn’t everyone?) She’s a Singer 168 double needle post-bed with a walking foot, and she’s helped me sew everything from shoes to bags to 30-foot Medieval pavilions.
Purchasing a sewing machine can be a huge investment of time and money, whether it’s a home machine for your hobby or a big industrial model for a small business. I’ve been sewing since I was a kid, but when I needed a bigger machine to handle costume production, leather goods and sail canvas for tent making, I quickly discovered how little I knew about these pricey tools.
It was so frustrating trying to find detailed information beyond the manufacturer’s specifications. Every website I visited seemed to be written for engineers or factory sales reps—certainly not for me. Still, I did the best I could.
My first purchase was a disaster. I decided they all looked the same, so I’d go with a cheaper “no-name” machine I found on ebay. The seller had good feedback, and everything seemed legit. When it finally arrived, I used it a few times and things started going wrong. The timing slipped and needles broke and I couldn’t get an even stitch length to save my life. In the end, the motor seized and I had a $600 doorstop. Sigh. Lesson learned.
Matilda did a great job on this 30' round tent. It's Huge!
Over the years since then, I’ve collected a lot of sewing machines, industrial machinery and the toys that go with it—gravity irons, dress forms, tables and motors. I’ve also collected a ton of information about all kinds of sewing machines, and that’s what led to this site.
Serious Sewing is all about providing you with honest information about sewing machines and supplies—in plain English. You’ll also find information on leather machines, embroidery machines, sergers, quilting machines and much more.
I hope you’ll find the pages and videos helpful in making an informed decision on your next machine.
Oh, and if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
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