Sewing Machine Fanatic: When a twist top will pop your top...

photo from NBC17 news

Just a lesson - don't twist the top of something that you don't know what it is.  In this case, it was a LIVE World War I grenade (they didn't have pins back then, they had a twist top) that was hidden in the family sewing machine cabinet.  

The machine was passed around a North Carolina family for 100 years.  20 years ago, a mother got mad at her son, took away his "toy" grenade and hid it in her sewing machine drawer.  (I have to mention here, what irritated his mother was that he was throwing it around the living room.)  The machine was recently given to her step-daughter who found the grenade thinking it was an old oil can... fortunately she didn't try to oil the machine.

Here's more of the story...

Sewing Machine Conversion: Egyptian Singer on display at Allsaints Spitalfields

Ok, so I have to admit that one of my guilty pleasures is going into Allsaints Spitalfields and just checking out the sewing machines.  I actually feel sorry for them, knowing that they will never sew again, but at least they are admired for their beauty and not dumped in the landfill.  On my last foray, I spotted this gem -

Sewing Machine Conversion: Musical Coil Winder

I don't understand it completely, but I like that it is a sewing machine used for something other than sewing... http://music-electronics-forum.com/t10736/

Sewing Machine Conversion: Cool New Machine (not actually a conversion)

There are so many cool things about this machine: it's compact, it has a GREAT design, and it dyes the thread as it sews so you only have to buy white thread from now on. AWESOME!

Has anyone tried one yet?

Sewing Machine Conversion: Gun ?

Made famous apparently in the 1970's in the movie "They Call Me Hallelujah", the sewing machine gun is the conversion du jour.

I don't recommend trying this at home. (If the above photo does not appear, it is because webshots is down - patience grasshopper and you shall be rewarded).

Sewing Machine Conversion: Hand Crank (no electricity needed)

If you ever wanted to sew and couldn't find a plug, you would totally agree this is awesome! They use these conversions for sewing machines on sailboats (to fix ripped sails on long journeys or live-aboards) and for camping. Think about it - a week camping trip with the family and you don't have to be bored skipping rocks or counting moss spores - you could sew a quilt instead! But seriously, here's someone who took sewing machines to an outdoor fair - what a great idea!

Here are the instructions if you want to do it yourself.

Sewing Machine Conversion: Needle Felt Machine

I ♥ needle felting. I find it very therapeutic. But, I also don't have the attention span to complete a BIG project - my projects are usually small enough to fit in the palm of a child's hand and take about an hour to complete.

I just found out that you can convert your sewing machine to a felting machine with this cool gadget:

Of course, you would probably not want to convert your primary machine, you should have a secondary, tertiary, or other surplus machine since you have to dismantle a few parts.

OR - you could just buy a felting machine:

Brother also makes one.

And I also found this very information website (Fiberella) - here are some FAQ's about needle felting, including some info about using a machine.

Sewing Machine Conversion: Steampunk

Ahh, someone who appreciates the design lines of a vintage sewing machine! I would like to see if it can fly, or spray, or cook corned beef - whatever it is that it does!

psst - it was actually part of a Steampunk art exhibit in Phoenix.

Sewing Machine Conversion: Scroll Saw

How to convert an old sewing machine into a scroll saw...

From Sewing Machine to Scroll Saw, a Christmas tale - More DIY How To Projects

Sewing Machine Conversion: Another Cool New Sewing Machine

“Sewing Machine” by designer Brian Kang

I just really like this from a design standpoint - it looks like the kind of sewing machine that wouldn't have to be sentenced to a disorganized, claustrophobic craft room.