Alto - The Future of Sewing Machines?

For as long as I can remember as a child, we had a vintage Singer sewing machine stand sitting in the hallway at home. The machine had been replaced by a marble top but the cast iron base with it's treadle and wheel were a constant source of amusment for my childhood self (and the occasional snagged finger - ow!)


The first time I laid eyes on the fabled Singer machine that belonged to said treadle was when a mum from school unveiled her prized - and in working order - 1938 Singer machine during rehearsals of "Fiddler on the Roof". In my excitment I proceeded to stab the needle clean through my index finger.

Singer's 160th Anniversary Machine

In the 80-odd years since the hey dey of the gorgeous-yet-functional Singer machine, domestic sewing machines have not been the pack leaders in form and design. With the exception perhaps of the fancy unfolding Elna LOTUS or Singer's 160th Anniversary Edition machine, there have been few truly beautiful and functional sewing machines since.

Elna LOTUS - a design classic.

So when a machine comes along that defies convention of both form and function, we definitely sit up and pay attention!
Introducing "Alto".

British designer Sarah Dickins has come up with an absolutely stunning concept machine that not only changes the way we look at sewing machines - but also the way that we use them!

The Alto eliminates a foot pedal by using a pressure sensor built into the base of the machine. It also allows for a change in speed just by moving the fabric! The simplified threading process and large base area also allow for super-easy sewing.

Alto has been submitted as an entrant for the James Dyson Design Award as a machine to service the "make do and mend" trend of simple home sewing.

Leather casing! Oh my!

 We think it's pretty darn sexy. Check out more pics on the James Dyson site.

Could you see this adorning your sewing table? I sure could (if I had a sewing table, that is...)

Not a patch on it!

It's no secret that I'm no sewer, I've said it many times before.

It's also little surprise that I am prone to over-reaction.

Put those two seemingly disparate statements together and we have the moment when I witnessed a barrage of Quilting Genius and quite literally fell off my chair.

Come now, I hear you cry, what on earth are you doing on the floor? Surely you are stretching the point a bit? And how are you typing this post from down there?

The aforementioned Quilting Genius, you see, came in the form of Spotlight's Tri-National, Second Annual, Very Exciting Quilting Expo this weekend.

The event was held in all Spotlight stores and gave some of our avid quilting customers (and patchwork newbies) a chance to show off some of their skills and share some advice, tips and tricks with others.

The highlight (and impetus of me kissing the floor somewhat unceremoniously) of the Expo was our "Show Us Your Best Work" competition, in which YOU were invited to bring in a quilt or patchwork project and win yourself a fantastic ELNA sewing machine (bazinga!).

The swanky ELNA Elina 21. You know you want it.

 
The quality of the entries was absolutley astounding. I'm not sure how else to describe them, so I created an album on our facebook page. Leave us a comment and tell us which is your favourite?

 Here's mine... shh. I'm not supposed to play favourites.

 Did you enter in Quilt Expo? Send us your photos!