Saturday, January 12, 2008

Lilo And Stitches

Sew, A Needle Pulling Thread


Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


With this week's theme being "Skinny", I reviewed a lot of my images. There was a photograph showing the graceful, slender Rolls-Royce hood ornament called the Spirit of Ecstacy; there was an early morning reflection of a slim tree on the still waters of a pond; there was even a shot of a group of mannequins.

But I figured there are not many things that are skinnier than the needle of an old-fashioned Singer sewing machine. These pictures were shot in an arcade in Singapore and as you can see from the image below, I was equally fascinated by the beautiful material that was being used. And just for the record, I'd like to point out that the "seamstress" was a man, who was more than happy to talk to me about the delicate work he was performing - and his love for the ancient machine.

46 comments:

Carver said...

That's a beautiful shot of the needle in the old singer and also of the fabric. Great for the skinny theme.

Corey~living and loving said...

Wonderful entry David. :) I love the first shot.
mine is up!
have a great weekend!

Casdok said...

The colours and the fall of the material are so soft. Lovely.

Melli said...

Niiiiiiiice! I would NOT have thought of that!

Little Wing said...

Great idea!
The fabric is gorgeous!!!!

Randi said...

Wow - I love the photo of the fabric!
Excellent photos!

Anna said...

Wow this is so beautiful...I love to sew too but sometimes I don't have time hehehehe...Nice skinny picture. .....thanks for sharing and have a wonderful weekend...Mine is up too:
Every Beat Of My Heart

Anonymous said...

Great photo and love the different take on this week's theme. Keep up the good work. Have a good weekend.

ellen b. said...

Great photography as usual! Wonderful choice for this theme...

Maxine said...

Breathtaking photos. Thanks for stopping by and for your comment. Blessings to you in Australia.

imac said...

Great skinny shot David

just about to post mine ha.

Cheltenhamdailyphoto said...

la, a note to follow sew...

The silks look divine, simply divine darling. Best worn with a glass of champagne.

Lee said...

My grandmother had a Singer. Thanks for bringing back the memory of making doll clothes on it, David. And those colors....gorgeous! My favorites. :)

Joy!

jennwa said...

Great take on the theme. I love it. Have a good weekend.

Janice Thomson said...

I have my Grandmother's old Singer - the kind with the treadle on the ground and it works like a charm.
Great idea for 'skinny' theme.

Cynthia said...

Clever, clever...I wasn't thinking as well as you!

lime said...

you just brought back many memories of my mother's seamstress shop in the front of our house. :)

Nessa said...

I love the color reflected in the footplate.

Sarge Charlie said...

excellent photo for this theme

denz said...

woohooo!!! that's what I'm talking about, that is really a skinny one!!! nice post for this week theme, keep it up...

check mine:
photohunt-1
photohunt-2
Happy Weekend!!!

Natalie said...

That's really neat!

Susan Skitt said...

Hi David, thanks for stopping by my site! What a creative choice of pictures for the skinny theme :)

The sewing gene skipped me in my family, although I appreciate those who sew. In fact, my dear mother-in-law is hemming a new pair of pants for me to wear for the book event tomorrow :) And growing up, my mom used to sew matching outfits for me and my sister.

Unknown said...

I love photography and especially have a liking for macro shots. The old singer close up is my favourite of the two, but the rich colours of the fabrics is beautiful also. I'd probably take more photographs myself if my camera wasn't a dud!

Napaboaniya.Elaine Ling said...

heehee..I think I'll take forever to thread through that thin needle :P
It's not a Weekend;It's a Lifestyle

United Studies said...

Thanks for stopping by and visiting my blog today.

Anonymous said...

Interesting take on today's theme!

Lynn said...

Nice picture of the needle. Now what can be skinnier than the thread and the needle.

Unknown said...

I have my Mom's Singer machine ... many memories ... thesound of the pedal...and reminder of how it always looked (and still does, to me) like a boot, walking on an endless road. First visit - happy to have found your beautiful work!

MaR said...

Beautiful take on the theme!!!

PastormacsAnn said...

Love that first photo! Really nice. Great choice for our "skinny" theme.

Catherine said...

Your photography is gorgeous!! I wish that I had your skills....very nice!

Thanks so much for visiting my blog and leaving such a kind comment. Do your children have your talent?

I can't wait to stop back by again and see more pictures!! :)

occasional northerner said...

Thank you for dropping by. He is thanks and they have now booked their spring flights to Australia, my brother having recently headed to Brisbane to live with his Australian wife and his Scottish/Australian child. Some future debate over international rugby qualification there!

What an intersting post and photo.

LauriesAsylum said...

The color of the fabric is beautiful. Great photo!

Sam Fox said...

Wow, look at his neat stitches on that fabulous cerise fabric! Mine look as if I've just drunk a bottle of Scotch if I have to sew. Well done, that man!

Starz in De Sky said...

thanks for dropping by. You have a great shot there too. nice shot for the theme. i like the fabric.

happy weekend

Anonymous said...

love the idea behind the theme. :) nice shot!

Anonymous said...

Wow! I love your take on the theme, David!

My Unfinished Life said...

nce pic!!.......loved the pink fabric too....
me back to your blog after loooooong!!!!
hope you a had nice year gone by..and an even better new year 2008!!!!!
will be back from time to time!!!

Pat said...

Wow - beautiful pictures David! I've always been fascinated with sewing machines - eventhough I don't sew a lick! I grew up with the sounds of my stepmom's machine (an ancient Singer) constantly whirring away though, and have always marveled at the wonders both she and it could produce! Thanks for the visit and your kind words!

San said...

Gorgeous. Reminds me of my grandmother and her Singer.

Fruity said...

That's a nice needle shot on that old, singer! Well done!
Fruity

Mega said...

Great picture David. The only thing I can sew is a button back on a shirt.

SnoopyTheGoon said...

A real Singer sewing machine! Wow, I haven't seen one for quite some time.
Good shots!

Unknown said...

That is a superb photo of the Singer, David. The gold design that I can make out on the edge of the machine suggests it is perhaps like the ancient Singer than belonged to my grandmother.

Anonymous said...

I have never sewn on a singer, but I can't help but run my fingers along the contours of any singer I see in an antique shop.

The way the light hits the fabric really brings out the texture of the material and makes it almost available to touch.
Nice work.

Kunal Bhatia said...

aaha, macro photography is really quite appealing, especially when it has a great story to go along with it, well shot.
- Mindless Mumbai