cotton ironing board cover_daisy table cloth

Another significant benefit is the connection to tradition that manual machines provide. With each turn of the crank, artisans engage with the history of leatherworking, honoring the craftsmanship of generations before them. This connection can be incredibly fulfilling and serves as an inspiration to many crafters.

I remembered the Stegosaurus costume my mom made for halloween one year, an impossibly complicated stretch of triangles stuffed with synthetic fluff atop a gray bodysuit (we didn’t yet know about Dinosaurs with feathers, thankfully). I remembered all of the ’70s clothing she made herself to save money and look fantastic anyway. I remembered how much she cared, and how this act of crafting was the physical manifestation of that love. What gift is more personal than a piece of clothing that won’t fit anyone else?

One challenge faced with handheld sewing machines is their power and tension settings. Unlike traditional sewing machines, which typically provide adjustable tension, some handheld models may not offer the same versatility. Thus, it's crucial to practice and understand how your specific model handles thick fabrics. Testing on scrap pieces can help gauge how much pressure to apply and what settings yield the best stitch quality.