Beauty and the Beast

I have been thinking about an industrial sewing machine for some time.  But there have been two factors that have put me off: price and size.  The space issue was resolved during my clean up of the studio.  The price was the next factor.

I had been watching an industrial machine on e-Bay for the past week and Stephen said that it could be an early birthday present.

So Saturday night I was watching the auction and put a bid on - and it was mine!  Hooray!  Stephen and I collected the machine Sunday and lugged it to the studio.  So here it is in all it's glory.  The Beast



It isn't a new machine but it all seems to be present and correct.  The lady showed my how to use  it, but I will have it serviced just to make sure that it is OK.  Apart from giving it a wipe over, I have re-painted the legs with Hammerite, so that it does look a little tidier now.




I have never used and industrial sewing machine before and the difference in speed is amazing.  It's about 3 times as fast - almost too fast.  But I have plans.  The first being these vintage barkcloth curtains that I won from e-Bay last week.



They are 1950s curtains and are so pretty.  I wasn't disapointed when they arrived from France. 


Stephen doesn't know it yet, but they are destined for our bedroom.  They are unlined, so I will need to take off the curtain headiing, line them and shorten them as well.  Pot of white paint for our bedroom walls and St Theresa, hang the curtains and voila it will be finished.  I know that Stephen won't like them, but I am determined to have some feminine touches in our bedroom.  And have them I will.



But before that, I have to transform this gingham into 30 washing up liquid aprons for a wholesale order.  It'a all about priorities.  Something tells me the Beast and I are going to be having a long and meaningful relationship.