Monday, March 8, 2010

The New Pfaff on the Block


Pravina Studio finally has an industrial sewing machine! I've been scouring Craigslist for months now trying to find just the right machine. My dream machine is this Juki, but unfortunately it is pretty far out of my price range.

I kept finding used machines on Craigslist and would inquire within hours of the posting being added, but barely anybody would get back to me. I think the machines were selling THAT fast. Or the ones worth buying were anyway. I finally managed to snag one a couple of weeks ago; I was even able to keep it in my Pfaff family sewing of machines, so I'm extra excited. Soon, new Pravina bags will abound.

I've barely even threaded it, but I love this machine already. It's SO industrial.

The whole purchasing experience was just so pleasant too. The machine was in a town about 45 minutes northwest of Madison, so I took a lovely drive through the country at dusk to see it. The seller is a small business owner herself who'd upgraded her machine a year ago, and she sat with me teaching me how to use it. When my plans for picking it up (it doesn't fit in a car) fell through, she actually drove it out to me. I love good people.


4 comments:

  1. Yay! What a great found. Today, for the first time in 20 years, which is when my last one was stole, I got a new-to-me violin that I found on Craigslist.

    My fingers hurt SO much from playing tonight, but it's hurts SO good.

    An aside: I have been determined for months that when I purchase a new purse/bag, it'll be from you. My favorite Kenzie saddlebag has seen much better days.

    Enjoy your find!!

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  2. Oh, congrats! What a great feeling. Sometimes finding something on Craigslist feels a bit like winning the lottery.

    How did you go 20 years without replacing the violin?? You've got a lot of time to make up for!

    You're so sweet. I would be flattered to have you carrying around a Pravina bag.

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  3. Craigslist has been so hit and miss for us too, although we did find our current digs on there. I've also messaged people, only to have them not respond as well.

    I've had better luck with the freecycle community, where there can be really good finds, but i'm sure no one is going to be giving away one of these soon!

    I would like to have a powerful machine one day, but i don't know too much about them - as far as which would be good for me, etc etc. i'm going to have to look into it, cause i can only imagine what a difference it would make!
    yay for you!!

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  4. liz-it did take a fair amount of research to figure out what i needed. there's mainly two types of industrial machines, ones that go really really really fast vs ones that go really fast and will sew through just about anything. usually those have what's called a walking foot and a really high clearance under the presser foot. i'm happy to give you some advice (not that i really know all that much ;) ) whenever you're ready!

    i've never used freecycle. maybe i should look into it...

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