Have you seen this?!??!
2012 August 2
Threads posted a link to a new sewing machine design called Sue designed by James Wood. WOW!
Image from Threads article (click on picture for link)
Here’s a video of the machine. I wonder why they didn’t show the machine actually sewing fabric though. It would have been nice to see the stitch quality.
So what do you think of the new design?
PS: I received my swimsuit elastics. Guess I can start making swimsuits now. :)
20 Responses
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LOL I can totally see myself putting the hand crank on and then sending pins and other magnetically-attached items flying. It’s cool to see someone working to do new things with sewing machine design, all the same!
OK, that looks like a hand mixer, but whatever. Yes, the fact that you don’t actual see it SEW raises some troubling questions.
Second, what happens when the magnetized felt wears out?
And how does that pedal actually operate under ones foot — do you side your foot forward to make it go in reverse?
I’ll withhold judgment till I know more, but color me unimpressed. I’ll take a Featherweight any day.
Glad you posted this, though!
Also, the fact that it’s named “Sue” — so evocative of lawsuits — doesn’t really inspire confidence.
I don’t think it actually can sew- If you look at the video, the needle bar does not move when the hand crank is turned.
I actually like having a cord in my food pedal – it would get lost under my table, the kids would take it to bath and play with it.
But it is really interesting to see a fresh look on the concept. I still think that they should look into designing sewing machine so that you can get a better view of what you do without sitting with a bad posture.
I think it’s a prototype, and doesn’t actually work. I could see its use as a portable machine, but otherwise I wouldn’t want any of those features! And I’m not convinced that foot pedal would work as desired.
It seems designed to be most useful when it isn’t being used. All that emphasis on storing it vertically, and how the pedal fits into the nosecone, etc. How can it be heavy enough to stay in one place while you sew? And I’m with Anne on the cordless pedal–I’ve already lost it and I haven’t bought it yet!
Interesting how the user had to firmly hold on to the machine while turning the hand crank. The design is pretty cool, but user friendly? I’m not convinced. Also odd that they’d have a wireless foot petal on what seems like a very conventional, non-computerized (straight stitch?) machine.
Really interesting. I wonder if this will take off or not.
I think it’s cool that he thought about redesigning the machine, however, it just doesn’t seem functionable. I kept thinking where will the fabric lay? How will you keep it straight and from shifting? It’s why the beds of sewing machines were made so big. And who cares if you can store it vertically? I’m getting old because I don’t want to put a machine together to sew…I want to sit down, turn the thing on and it runs.
An aerodynamic exterior! Very handy if you get totally frustrated and need to heave it off the balcony.
ROFL
Well I love it! I think of the future of this machine… think; a machine that can be cranked by hand that is small and light.. what could it do for (mostly) women in the third world. Lets not be limited by our needs. It has some great ideas … I’m impressed. Thanks for the link Elizabeth.
If you have an elasticator foot for your serger, I highly recommend it. It will get your elastic on without rippling. So, it will lay smoother after you topstitch. I don’t know if I’m explaining that well. I just ordered rubber elastic to make another lap suit (my mom asked for the one I just did). Maybe I’ll actually take construction photos.
It must be good. Sue
I hate it. I must be old fashioned when it comes to sewing machines, give my my good old Featherweight anyday.
*me. Apparently I was so upset I couldn’t type properly lol.
It’s a concept sewing machine (i.e. it’s not out yet because it’s not real in the sense that a design student made it as a working model for their Industrial Design project submission) and it’s finally being trumpeted about because everyone realised the other one they’d been getting amped up about wasn’t even a working concept and wasn’t very thoughtfully designed. XD
Also geez Louise with the angry comments! I’ve linked both reviews in this edition of Scattered Links so you can make an informed decision based on actual relevant information XD. @Elizabeth: Internet reactivity = free entertainment of the cheapest sort, did you have any idea when you posted this? XD
Actually, I would love to see the prototype of a sustainable fabric store.
The last comment most interesting b/c the majority of people don’t appear to be interested enough in it to consider it. The third world ladies use treadles generally. Imagine trying to crank the handle with a cranky piece of fabric under the presser foot. Featherweight, Bernina 801. Simple enough.