I would call myself somewhat efficient in using my two Cobra leather sewing machines. I can probably change the thread with my eyes closed and a whiz and getting a new bobbin going. Any technical glitches or when it requires oiling, I have my wonderful husband around as the in house technical advisor:). I am fortunate to have two machines to sew the thousands of leather projects I have completed. The smaller Class 18 is very similar to a everyday household machine that handles leather specifically. My Cobra Class 4 is the true workhorse. I can sew a small purse on it yet it has the capability of sewing a horse saddle together. I have learned to trust the machines and my own ability to sew. Honestly, I found them very intimidating at first.

My mother is a beautiful seamstress. My favorite memories of her craft were making my children’s Halloween costumes every year. If they wanted to be a soccer ball, princess, clown or whatever they imagined, she would figure out how to do it. Looking back now I realize all the time she took picking out material, blending patterns, determining sizes then the actual sewing of the costumes. She must have done this for 10 years or so. I still have many of the costumes she made. Her sewing machine was often out on the dining room table, ready to make a curtain or beautiful dress. Growing up you would think that I was smart enough to take advantage of this knowledge and learning from her. It took me a lifetime to figure that out! Back in the day we had to take “Home Economics” class in junior high school.  In those days you would learn about basic cooking, nutrition and how to sew a dress. My final project was a simple lined dress made from a beautiful turquoise fabric. I almost failed as I could not properly sew the zipper in. I vowed never to go near a sewing machine again and myself and a few other girls petitioned to take “Industrial Education” the next semester. We were the first girls to take what historically was only an option for boys (this was the early 70’s!).  Building book shelves, metal rings and boxes was unequivocally more satisfying then making a dress!

So back to the title of this story. I have a wonderful assortment of thread colors for both my machines. After much research we found that “Superior Thread Company”out of Salt Lake City sell a wonderful high quality product. A little splash of thread color can really bring a project together and create something really unique. The spools are huge and I am finding that one can last for years, even after all the sewing that I do. So one of my favorite things is opening up a new spool. Taking the plastic wrap off, finding the thread end neatly tucked into its rows. Threading the machine with fresh thread as it easily slips through the various mechanisms and parts.

So looking back I never would have imagined I would spend a lot of my time behind a sewing machine, let only working with leather.  Now I understand why my mom loved her Singer sewing machine and the hours spent behind it. I wonder if she enjoyed opening that new spool of thread as much as I do. The endless possibilities of a thread spool and what it can create. I have yet to incorporate a zipper in my bags. I still despise zippers…….