I’ve had a bit of machine envy recently.  Whilst buying needles at Frank Nutt I saw the new, all singing all dancing Bernina 830.  Just a mere £6,500 buys you this very expensive toy.  It has an electronic switch to lift the sewing foot up and down and a really long arm.  No manual lifting of levers here or squashing fabric under the arm.

To be fair I wouldn’t really want one as if I was going to spend that kind of money on a sewing machine I’d be better off with an industrial one.

It does make me think who would buy these type of machines - they’re not made for professionals and they’re quite expensive for hobbyists. I also have a bit of a problem with the automated aspect of these computerised machines.  Is it really you embroidering that picture if you set a machine to do it?

Whilst on the subject of machine envy I went charity shopping on Friday and went past a drycleaners and alteration shop in Harborne.  They had miniature machines as a window display.  They are really beautiful and they actually work

I have my own miniature sewing machine which actually works.  It was a birthday present a couple of years ago and it has pride of place on our record shelves.  I think I want to decorate my studio with more of these.  They’re slightly more affordable than the Bernina 830 and probably more of an inspiration.