April Fool's of Years Past

How April Fools Backfired in a Major Way

Greetings everybody,

Last week I published an edition of the newsletter titled “Sewing Machine” from Comme des Garçons, which was sent out on April 1st as an April Fool’s prank. If you haven’t read it and would like to, click on the image below:

This particular April Fool’s prank seems to have gone over well with most readers. I consider it a success, as I’ve received many positive comments and messages from you all. That said, this was my third attempt at a sewing machine-related April Fool’s prank. While this one increased my batting average, not all have been successful.

I am 2-for-3 with one strikeout.

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April 1, 2022

Sewing machines can be quite heavy. Even the smallest ones can be difficult to carry. And the bigger ones? Forget about it! Every day at work we see people struggling to carry their machines in and out of the store. It doesn't get any easier at home, with many people having to lift their machines on and off their tables. We want to help!

The best way to feel more comfortable lifting your sewing machine is to practice every single day. Starting this month, our goal is to get a group of people together once a week, every Friday at 10 AM, to do exercises with our sewing machines.

To get an idea of what kind of exercises we will be covering, please watch the video below:

The goal of this class is to help you build up your strength over time. The plan is to start small lifting machines like our little Elna EM16, then move up in size to the Janome Skyline's and Bernina 4-series. After a couple of months of training, we think many of you will be strong enough to lift up the Janome M7 or the Brother Stellaire, bring it to the cash register yourself, purchase it, and then take it home with you.

Sewing Machine Deadlift

Standing with your feet shoulder-width apart, grasp the machine with both hands by the handle. Lift the machine by driving your hips forward, keeping a flat back. Lower the machine slowly, so that you are under control

Sewing Machine Standing Rows

Assume a standing position while holding a sewing machine in each hand by the machine's handle. Hinge forward until your torso is roughly parallel to the floor. Begin the movement by driving the elbows behind the body while retracting the shoulder blades. Pull the dumbbells towards your body until the elbows reach a 90-degree angle, then slowly lower the dumbbells back to the starting position under control. Repeat for the desired number of repetitions.

Sewing Machine Squats

Stand up with your feet shoulder-width apart. Hold the sewing machine with both hands, hugging the machine into your chest. Bend your knees, press your hips back, and stop the movement once the hip joint is slightly lower than the knees. Press your heels into the floor to return to the initial position. Repeat until the desired number of repetitions is complete.

Sewing Machine Curls

Start standing with a sewing machine in each hand. Your elbows should rest at your sides and your forearms should extend out in front of your body. Bring the sewing machines up to your shoulders by bending your elbows. Reverse the curl slowly and repeat.

- - - - - - - - - April Fools! - - - - - - - - -

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The 2022 April Fool’s sewing machine exercise class was well-received.

However, one year later, it did not go so well……

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April 1, 2023

Big Changes Coming At The Sewing Machine Shop

We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but starting today we have decided to implement a new policy at the shop: