Project Runway... Sewing Machines?

[shipperx]

What's next?  Top Chef  Essence of Howie Sweat?

From TVGuide.com:
Anyone who has watched Project Runway and wished they could do something similar at home will soon find that goal a little more attainable. In a licensing deal that is unprecedented for a reality show, the Bravo hit series is teaming up with five partners to create Project Runway-branded merchandise that will be available in stores nationwide in late 2007 and early 2008.

“We are excited to make the show’s fashion and design experience accessible to consumers worldwide with specialized products and tools,” said Pam Henning, an SVP at the Weinstein Company, which produces the show. “We’ve seen how Project Runway resonates with consumers, and with the show’s tremendous reach and credibility within the fashion community, it is a natural platform for brand extensions.”

The newly licensed products will include jewelry by Aaron Co., sewing machines by Brother International, sewing accessories by Prym Consumer, fabrics by Robert Kaufman Fabrics and sewing patterns by Simplicity Pattern. Further details will be announced after the launch of the series’ fourth season this fall. 

***
Me: Actually, I kid.  I bet PR can sell sewing machines.  I hate, loathe, and despise sewing with the  heat of a drought-ridden Alabamian in a heatwave during August and PR almost makes me wish that I enjoyed sewing. 


PS - Yes, it's supposed to be 103 (or perhaps 105) again today and still no rain in sight.

In fact. I looked up the weather record so far this month and it's something like this (starting with the first):
96, 97, 97, 100, 94, 97, 100, 101, 103, 106, 104, 105, 104, 106, 105, 101, 101, 98, 95, 96, 100...

Predictions of what's to come: 103 to 105 today.  

And rain?  Hah.  I beginning to think you guys are making up this mythical thing called 'rain.'  Who believes water falls from the sky?

Waiting for summer to be over. ::sweat::

Comments

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

If it had been possible I would have sent you some Monday, we got 2 1/2 inches. And it's sprinkling right now.

[ladypeyton.livejournal.com]

I would so buy a Project Runway sewing machine! I'd even start sewing again in order to justify it (which I need to do anyway since our other hobby is medieval "re-enactment" and it's been so long since I've sewn that we're going to events practically naked).

[deborahw37.livejournal.com]

We have cold chilly nasty wet rainy weather here

worst summer for fifty years or something

I wish we could even it out and send you some rain in exchange for some sun

[txvoodoo.livejournal.com]

It's a shame that PR can't sell talent! ;)

[rahirah]

Sometimes I think about getting a new sewing machine, but then I come to my senses.

[spikewriter]

I probably wouldn't buy a Project Runway-branded sewing machine, but if I had a few thou and was still seriously sewing, I'd trot down to the garment district and buy one like what they use. I've sewed on one before -- it is seriously scary how fast you can push the fabric through. But than I think of my Pfaff that I spent $800 on 20 years ago and realize that if I'm not able to trade it a Bernina or Viking with all the embroidery sparklies, I'm fine.

The big fight when my mother dies will be over her 1960 Singer zig-zag which is still going and and sew through leather. I want it and my sister-in-law, who went to FIT, wants it. That one's almost as good as what they use in the industry.

Sewing accessories and patterns? Those I will definitely have to check out.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

The big fight when my mother dies will be over her 1960 Singer zig-zag which is still going and and sew through leather

I have something like that in my garage, though I'm not sure of its actual age, just that it's considerably older than I am (since my mother had it when my sister was a child and years before I was born) and that it still functions perfectly.

[spikewriter]

Really? ::drool, slobber, slobber, drool, drool::

There should be a plate on the bottom that tells when it was manufactured. Seriously, if it's an all metal machine, does zig-zag and still works, you've got your a jewel. Until they started making part of the case out of plastic, Singer was the gold standard for home sewing. Even if it doesn't have the cams for the decorative stitches, that's the type of machines people crave because as far as sewing a seam, it's as good (if not better) than anything on the market.

Mom's has a switch where if you want to go backwards, you flip it and it stays there until you change it. Now, only very high-end machines have that as a special feature.

My mom paid $850 in 1960 for the machine and the cabinet. At that time, it was a serious strain to the budget, but she says it is probably the single best household investment she ever made.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

::whimper::

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

I wonder whether they'll simply slap the PR name on a regular sewing machine or whether it will be close to the professional machines they use on the show.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

We have sunlight to spare.

Unfortunately, everything that was green is quickly dying. :(

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

Maybe not talent, but they have some contestants with obnoxiousness to spare!

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

PR is so darn seductive with its art studio and quirky challenges... then I remember 7th grade Home Ec and quiver in horror that I would even think about sewing ever again.

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

I should ask Mom how old it is. I looked but there's no date on it. It is all metal and positively ancient. For some reason I think it dates to late 50s/early 1960s. And is probably quite lightly used as Mom hates sewing as much as I do.

[rahirah]

My thing is, one, I have no place to set up the sewing machine I have now, and two, while I can sew, I always either bite off more than I can chew and leave it half-finished, or get impatient and try to cut corners, which never ends well.

[rahirah]

Sometimes I wish we'd gotten my Mom's old sewing machine fixed instead of giving it to Goodwill. It was a 1950s-era Brother, solid metal, with a bunch of attachments. It would darn near sew through plywood if you babied it along just right. (I broke more needles on that machine...)