Sewing with a machine in a vehicle
02-10-2014, 02:40 PM
#51
Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Cleveland OH
Posts: 212
I have actually been watching for a smaller hand crank machine for sewing while in our RV. Although we have not traveled any great distances for awhile I thought it would be nice to have! Let us know how what you decide! And wishing you safe travels!
02-10-2014, 02:57 PM
#53
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Maine-ly Florida
Posts: 3,920
Well, as a professional truck driver for 20 years, & a quilter, I can tell you I did quilt in my rig. I had a dedicated run from Dallas to Central Florida for many years & did carry a smaller sewing machine with me. However, I didn't use it in the cab of the truck. I used it in the driver's lounge or took classes or sewed with the girls at the LQS whenever I had some lengthy down time. Yes, there was an article a few years back about a lady that quilted in her truck..not me...but she did hand quilting & had a frame attached to the roof of her cab & was able to drop it down to quilt on when they were stopped, not driving down the road. When I was at shippers or receivers that took hours to load or unload my trailer, I would work on something quilty. I always kept what I called a "truck project" going. I was able to cut pieces too. I did an entire applique quilt & a GFG while "on the road". The roads in this country are just too dangerous to try and use a machine in a moving vehicle. Here's 2 truck projects I did.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]461516[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]461517[/ATTACH]
[ATTACH=CONFIG]461516[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]461517[/ATTACH]
02-10-2014, 05:23 PM
#54
Super Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Dallas area, Texas, USA
Posts: 3,042
This has been posted on QB before, but might be a clue that it's not totally impossible - someone who sews with a hand crank while driving a tractor: http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zNmztSvG-Lw
I don't think I'd enjoy trying to sew in such a cramped situation, and you can't iron (at least I hope not!). Also, that tractor is on a predictably flat, level surface and not going as fast as a car on a road. It just doesn't seem as if you'd be happy with the results of sewing in transit. As others have mentioned, there are all sorts of quilt related things that are safer and less difficult.
I don't think I'd enjoy trying to sew in such a cramped situation, and you can't iron (at least I hope not!). Also, that tractor is on a predictably flat, level surface and not going as fast as a car on a road. It just doesn't seem as if you'd be happy with the results of sewing in transit. As others have mentioned, there are all sorts of quilt related things that are safer and less difficult.
02-10-2014, 05:30 PM
#55
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Northern IL
Posts: 117
I am overwhelmed with the great suggestions!
Husband says no to a sewing machine in the car even if it is battery powered :-( I have a hand chain stitch one (reminds me of a stapler) that would work for Barbie clothes or small projects. I just have to figure out how to end without the stitches pulling out of the chain.
I have made dishcloths and afghans and even quilted hotpads in a car. I have not spent 2 days traveling though.
I tried out the White brand sewing mini in the store since the box was open. The bobbin thread did not pick up, nor did the fabric move with the feed dogs. I was curious about the Janome on sale at Hancocks though.
Thank you all for your ideas -- keep them coming. I have to keep myself occupied for a long long time.
Husband says no to a sewing machine in the car even if it is battery powered :-( I have a hand chain stitch one (reminds me of a stapler) that would work for Barbie clothes or small projects. I just have to figure out how to end without the stitches pulling out of the chain.
I have made dishcloths and afghans and even quilted hotpads in a car. I have not spent 2 days traveling though.
I tried out the White brand sewing mini in the store since the box was open. The bobbin thread did not pick up, nor did the fabric move with the feed dogs. I was curious about the Janome on sale at Hancocks though.
Thank you all for your ideas -- keep them coming. I have to keep myself occupied for a long long time.
02-10-2014, 05:30 PM
#56
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Burke, Va
Posts: 344
I get carsick as well so the image alone makes me queasy. I just finished 2 Amy butler bloom quilts. Each has 300 yoyo flowers in different sizes. I can tell you I made yo yos EVERYWHERE. I cut out the circles in advance and took them and a small ziplock supply bag with me:thread, needles, thread clippers. I finished several hundred on a weekend plane ride. Used half my lunch hour for yo yos. There are all kinds of yo yo animals (indygo junction), pillows quilts scarves. It's better than needle work because there's no pattern to reAd or guide to follow. I knocked out hundreds in a couple of months.
02-10-2014, 06:35 PM
#57
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Timmins, Ont. Canada
Posts: 4,683
02-10-2014, 07:01 PM
#60
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Mass
Posts: 314
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
