10/28/14

Don’t scoff at the old stuff

I work at a job where youth is revered.  Young, agile minds.  Young, agile, self-confident minds.

And, in my long career, I’ve watched so many of them crash and burn. 

So, I’m very open to the old stuff.  The tried and true stuff.  The stuff that was built to work and to do a good job and to last a lifetime.  I’ve made a whole career out of holding the new ideas up to the test of time, using my experience with the old ways. 

That’s why I switched from my newer machine to my good, old fashioned, big boy buttonholer from the 1930’s, mounted here to my 50’s era Elna Supermatic, to finish my shirt.

100_7478

This model doesn’t use cams.  All the measurements can be adjusted in whatever way I want.  Bigger, smaller, narrower, wider, longer, shorter…you name it, I control it. 

Perfect buttonholes every time.

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So, to all those young’uns out there that think the new way is the best way or the only way, I say…

Nah-na!

And, the only drawback was that it took me 15 minutes and a half dozen buttonholes on scrap fabric to get it adjusted exactly the way I wanted it.  I spent more time than that, just reading the instructions for how to create a buttonhole on that newer machine.

Just six more buttonholes to go.  And, some hemming.  And, a bit of topstitching I forgot to do in the collar stand.  I plan to wear this very orange shirt to work on Halloween.  Perfect for the day. 

Everybody have a great Tuesday.  Be kind to one another.  And, respect your elders.  Syd was telling me about a country they talked about in Sociology where it’s rude to start eating before the oldest person at the table has started eating. 

I like that.  Especially here, where the oldest person at the table is also the cook.

Lane

4 comments:

lw said...

When my youngest daughter worked for Employment Development, she told me that older workers were more able to focus and worked longer hours than the younger workers, who have grown up so entertained that they never developed the focus needed for certain types of work.

What I see of that shirt looks good. I have the same buttonholer and I love it.

Anonymous said...

yes, the old buttonholers are best. that is why I have an old machine to use them on. Unfortunately I don't have the room to have it all set up ready to go.

Lynette said...

Hear! Hear! Definitely something valuable in the tried-and-true and the older-but-steadier. Looks like it's going to be a terrific Halloween work day shirt.

Lakegaldonna said...

Love the old stuff, you are a winner!

As a child we were taught to not eat until the cook eats.
Isn't Syd learning some valuable different customs?