Sunday, April 22, 2012

Typecast: State of the Typewriter Union

A couple of ongoing projects - both of these were acquired to be transformed. More later!
Not many typewriters at the market this weekend, but what a haul of vintage radios!
I'll try not to bore you all with my sewing adventures - this is a typewriter blog, after all! Still, here is what I have been up to this weekend - covering our drab beige couch in Ikea fabric, taking some inspiration from a fellow blogger. For my first sewing project, I'm rather proud of how it all turned out, actually, even if it's not perfect. Next up will be a typewriter cover à la Ryan Adney, but first I must receive the typewriter that will need to be covered...

17 comments:

  1. Wow, you seem to be in an acquisition mood lately. Did you get the super-cool chrome-and-blue Princess? And if you'd like to part with one of your Kolibris, tell me, I think I could - Gosh, I'm stupid. That lonely Torpedo 18 in the thrift store... Stupid. It would even need a custom-made cover.

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    1. Don't worry about it, Florian! I don't think I would want a Torpedo 18 unless it had a very very special typeface. I already have in mind the typewriter that needs a custom-made cover; I just have to wait for it to arrive :) In the meantime, feel free to think of other interesting trades :)

      No, I ended up not getting the chrome Princess; there was a fierce bidding war and I decided to cave quite early! I already have a Princess, so I guess I'll just have to be content with mine even if it's not so shiny.

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  2. Sounds like you really unplugged, so to speak, while away. I am somewhat the opposite myself. I've long wanted to learn to sew, too. It won't bore me if it's helpful advice.

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    1. It's incredible how much helpful advice one can find about sewing from browsing the 'net... way more than typewriters! It's a nice change, participating in a popular hobby. I feel I could spend all day reading and not actually sewing, which is why I was keen to get started on the couch. Aside from a typewriter cover here and there, I'll probably spend most of my time making clothes, though :) But I'll write about it sometimes, no worries.

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  3. The couch looks great! I am curious about your incoming fabulous acquisition and your reflections on Ghana were interesting.

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    1. Thanks, Richard! It took far longer for me to complete because I hand-sewed the whole thing, tried it out, and then finished it off with the machine. But it's very satisfying to look at, and use, the final product!

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  4. Nice couch cover. Thanks for the insights on Ghana and the photos of the old radios. I can't wait to see your new (typewriter?)

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    1. I occasionally complain about how much space the typewriter collection takes up, but imagine if I was into old radios! Those are some hefty boxes. I hope an interested collector saw them; it looked like it would be quite the haul for the right person.

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  5. It's great that you have projects lined-up.
    I'll chime-in, nice job with the couch! I look forward to seeing the typewriter cover.

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  6. ooh, a Lettera 32 and a 35? I sense a TwOlivetti in the works! :D

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    1. You're on the right track, Ted! Perhaps the twOlivetti will not be with these two, exactly, but another combination... and that's all I'll say for now :D

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  7. I hope your major acquisition comes through. I don't talk about mine until they arrive, either, lest I jinx the transaction.

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  8. Fantastic job on that sofa cover. I have a sofa in need of the same treatment. I doubt, though, that my first attempt will be as successful as yours!

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  9. Hi I'm new to the typo sphere and discovered your blog while you were away. Big fan, and very helpful in my own search for the perfect typer. I also like that you're from Accra. I moved there as a child when I was six months old. I don't have much memory of it except for many old photos and super 8 footage of me as a baby there. And I've never met anyone from Ghana since I left, until now!

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    1. Hello there and nice to meet you virtually! You have a great blog and I shall add you to my blogroll posthaste. That is a lovely story about growing up in Accra; I am sure if you (and your parents) returned for a visit, you would find it has transformed greatly since you lived there!

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  10. Sounds like a good break. Accra seems a very exotic location from this wet and windy Oxfordshire perspective. You know, you might just end up with a collection of hand-cranked sewing machines. I can see it now...

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    1. Don't tempt me! I am having a hard time staying away from getting one of those, and I know from typewriters how quickly one turns into ten... and then thirty. Funnily enough, I spotted one of those window displays when I was in Berlin last summer. A premonition, I suppose...

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