Big Sewing Machines in Action!

March 2, 2018

Red Wing Shoe Factory, ScissorsGood Morning, Quilters!

My husband and I recently took a jaunt along the Great River Road from our hometown, Stillwater, to Red Wing, Minnesota. (The Great River Road follows the Mississippi River through ten states from Minnesota to Louisiana.)

Red Wing is the home to the famous Red Wing Shoe and Boot Factory.  Red Wing began making work boots in 1905 and became the primary supplier of boots to American soldiers during WWI.  They currently produce 2500 pairs of shoes and boots and have become fashionable around the world due to their craftsmanship and sustainability.

Puritan Stitch machine, Red Wing Boots

To stitch through the layers of heavy leather, the company uses Puritan stitching machines.  The machines are huge and powerful!  Check out the triple needle!

And the chain drive and hand wheel!

The most impressive sight was the scissor pocket in the table! At first glance it looked like a conveniently placed knot in the wood…

In fact, the wood was carved out over the years by setting the scissors down in the same place hundreds of times per day!!!

That’s what I call-well-loved and well-worn!

If you like factory videos, you will love this Red Wing video of how four generations of workers have been lovingly making these boots for more than 100 years!

And for more on the Puritan Stitch Machine, this 3 minute video is fascinating!

What about YOU?

Have YOU ever been to Red Wing or traveled the Great River Byway?

Do YOU have a pair of Red Wing boots or shoes?

Do YOU have a well-loved or well-worn favorite notion?

We’d LOVE to hear!

Your Jaunty Quilter!

Lori

PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy at The Inbox Jaunt and are intended for personal use.  Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to The Inbox Jaunt.  For all other purposes, please contact me at lckennedy@hotmail.com.  Thanks!PS…If you like these motifs and tips, be sure to check out my book, Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3 .

 

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