Tuesday 5 August 2008

Singer treadle to computer desk

My dear old mum had a singer treadle sewing machine.

It was a beautiful machine (and mum was a beautiful mum).

Some time ago I acquired a singer treadly thing, minus the sewing machine and have had the intention to "do something" with it for a long, long time.

The time has come. I have a plan. I know what to do, how to do it, and what it will look like at the end.

This is the INCEPTION PHASE of a project.

The inception phase is marked by complete confidence, a certainty that this time things will go according to plan.

The next phase is the COMMENCEMENT PHASE. I've already entered this, as I have some of the basis materials to hand - see photo for treadle and some planks of cypress pine, which will be used in the construction. So far so good.

Further phases of the project are:
BASIC CONSTRUCTION- usually notable for finding there is a need for more timber, and for the discovery the timber is no longer available. A small loss of confidence sometimes occurs about this time.

CONNECTING THE COMPONENTS - often a small error in measuring or cutting or glueing up is discovered at this point. Timber can be cut to shorten it, but it is very difficult to stretch, so luck can play a big part in compensating for this minor error. Emotions ranging from minor iritation to despair are not uncommon.

FINISHING THE TIMBER - If there is one thing that woodworking gurus agree on, it is that preparation of timber is the secret to a good finish. This equates to hours of rubbing and scrubbing with sand paper, all the while discovering scratches, dents and other imperfections that were NOT there when the project started. this is also the time to try and cover up the botch that occured in the previous phase. BOREDOM prevails at this time, with frustration common. The words 'NEVER AGAIN" are sometimes heard.

FINALLY - PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER - Why, why, does it NOT look like it looked in my mind's eye at the inception phase?
A modicum of disappointment, mixed with relief are common at this stage.

I'll report on progress in due course.