Well, I got my sewing machine. It’s got everything…clunky old black sewing machine circa 1921, lightly-used formica table top, brand new lamp and thread rack, clean cork on the foot petal, mint 30w lightbulb, extra bobbins….everything that is, EXCEPT A ROLLER FOOT! This is a problem…my sewing machine guy is working on it, I’m working on it…and probably before the week is through, a few more bootmakers I know will have worked on it. More than likely the guy at Top Stitch Sewing Machine Co. has the right part…although right now his mechanic is a little baffled…he suggested I get the teflon foot that kinda looks like a couple of Barbie sized hula-hoops up on end. I told him that wouldn’t work. I told him I need to see my stitches well enough to line up my rows. Meanwhile, I’ve ordered a manual from Singer…and Rice is sending me a color chart and some sample thread.

…oh yeah, and I’ve been working on an update for my web page.

…still waitin’. (…sigh.)

It’s raining today, and I’m waitin’ for the sewing machine fella to call…I get my sewing machine either today or tomorrow…waitin’…waitin’. I spent this morning trying to find a spool of thread. I read a post Lee Miller made about thread on the bootmaking forum. He mentioned a place called, Saderma. I called them, and they have a 1-800 number (1-800-843-8851) and a warehouse near me, in San Leandro. I took a trip over there this morning. I bought a 1 oz. spool of thread and a big horse-hair brush. The thread looks too heavy to me, but I got a spool just to goof around with….it was the first time anyone ever asked me for my resale number. Saderma had all the stuff I wouldn’t want to pay shipping on….brushes, heel caps, and big cans of cement, that kind of stuff. They supply all the local shoe repair places, I guess.

Friday…next Friday I get my sewing machine delivered, roller foot, table et al….and I get it carried up the five or six steps up to the house. My roommate gave me her office. We moved her desk and files and piles into the dining room, that’s where I usta have my “office.” I have some rubber heel caps I won as a raffle prize at Brownwood last year. I think I might put them under the feet of the Singer so I don’t wreck the wood floors. Today I remembered I don’t have any thread or needles…gotta get some.

It’s Friday. Today is “boot day”…I’m at home doing “boot stuff.” I think I found myself a sewing machine, a 31-20…from a guy in Emeryville, not far from my house. He wants $400. He has to put it together, sounds like he’s got himself a Singer pick-n-pull…heads in the warehouse, roller feet in the parts bin. I might get it here in the house by the end of next week. C.T. Chappell (Saint Jo, TX) had some machines, but neither one of us was too excited about the shipping. Maybe I can practice stitching on my next boot day. Today, I’m gonna work on updating my webpage. I’m working on a feature which is a bit complicated…lots of photos, html links, and some frames.