@@1blisslife Not really. Yes, DVD players had been around for a couple years by the time this sewing machine came out in 2000, but don’t forget: the format didn’t really take off until after the PS2 came out. The PS2 was also released in 2000, but not until November, and even then there were shortages just like with most new console launches. It wouldn’t have made a lot of sense to put the instructions on a DVD at that point, especially not for the Japanese version (they may get new tech sooner than the west, but due to their aging population, it tends not to catch on as quickly). It took a couple years (PS2 supply had to catch up with demand, the original XBox and PCs with DVD drives to come out, prices on standalone players to come down, etc.) before DVD players were in most homes. Hollywood was still releasing movies on VHS well into the mid 2000s, and you could still get a new VCR as recently as 2016. TL;DR: DVD might have been out when this sewing machine was released, but the transition didn’t happen overnight.
My Air Hogs Skyshark came with one. Incidentally, that was the original Air Hogs product. The name worked on two levels: besides being a model plane that could fly (theoretically, anyway, I only got like two or three good flights out of it because its wings sucked), it was powered by compressed air. Most people don’t realize that because the brand didn’t really start to take off until they started making battery-powered toys.
What an informative video! I’m actually surprised I never heard about this before. Quite funny how this combined my husband’s (games) and my industry (fashion/textiles) too. As a knitwear designer I wasn’t surprised about the knitting machine ideas. Most domestic knitting machines came from Japan once upon a time with similar technology (if they were electric) from brands like brother, toyota and the studio. Today I only think Shima Seiki makes knitting machines there.
I actually had the opportunity to use these one day in my teen years. I didn't know how to sew, but my parents told me that we would be sewing with game boys and I was sold! It was a really fun an interesting experience and it's really neat to see this video- thanks Kelsey!
You are getting way more comfortable and confident in your videos. As a guy with stage fright, I can definitely relate to being nervous to perform in front people or a camera. Keep it up!
I never thought that I was going to be entertained by a sewing video. Super cool to know that! Post more videos please!
6 лет назад
I love to learn new things about obscure parts of gaming and accessories ! It's impressive how some consoles was used for something else (like the modem with the famicom or this !). It was a pretty cool video :D
I've been wondering about these bad boys ever since hearing about them years and years ago. This video is the most in depth and comprehensive look I've ever seen. Very well done!
Always killing it with the solid content, this is fascinating. Wish there were as many interesting peripherals for the 3ds an there were for the Game Boy. Guess smartphones came along and ruined most of that potential.
Great video. I wish I would have learned about this back in the 7th grade when they made us take a sewing class! Then again if they let us bring a gameboy to class, I'd probably just play Pokemon instead.
Kelsey Lewin your vids are the most professionally informative of your peers. You are getting up there with Gaming Historian. And your stuff is way more obscure and can’t be easy to research. Fun fact: in all my Japanese text books from university, the example Gaijin was always a guy called Mr. Lewin. :)
Kelsey Lewin Haha, right at the start I wondered if there'd be any demonstration of what it produces, 'cause I imagined it was an almost impossible thing to master. I'd struggle to even thread a regular machine, so kudos to you for producing some legible stuff!
I recently picked up a Singer Izek, and I agree with you about it feeling more like a novelty for the more experienced sewer. A fun feature I did notice though is that there is an option for push button operation (my model has a broken jack for the pedal.)
Fantastic! I’ve always wanted to know the true history of the GameBoy sewing machine and you have the most in-depth hands on look at it ANYBODY has ever done!
Honestly, you're like a next level Jedi Master with gaming history knowledge. Fantabulously fascination channel. You could write a really uniquely interesting book about gaming. Thanks!
Exceptional work tracking down all of the information and history of these devices. You do an incredible job presenting it all as well, very professional! Stay amazing Kelsey! 👍🏼🤘🏼
Kelsey...one of your best videos! I happen to sew on occasion. I’m pleasantly surprised to know of these products and thanks to you for paying $200 in shipping to share this with the community! I’m sure others think this is ridiculous but I think it’s great! Computerized sewing was reserved for people who had lots of money (in excess of $1000) on a hobby or business. Brilliant of Jaguar to see them have the foresight to use Nintendo tech to expand their audience!!!
Same with me, on both counts. Though today, a standard digital embroidery/sewing can do the same, but can also have more patterns downloaded online. Still awesome machine.
I am the only person I know who owns complete copies of Mario no Sweater and Mario Family. Super rare and expensive games. Glad to see them featured here! Great overview overall.
I love these videos. So much obscure tech I'd previously known nothing about. Thanks, Kelsey. Your stuff is always so well-researched, informative and entertaining. Keep it coming!
I remember when AVGN briefly talked about this on his Game Boy Accessories video, and I always wanted to know more. So this was the perfect video, nice job!
Excellent video! Thanks for including closed captions/subtitles for the deaf! Now do a video on the "Hands Free" controller for the NES or the "Love Hotels" that Nintendo used to own!
I'm glad someone I know finally covered these machines. Had been super curious about them, but spending the multiple hundreds of dollars for a novelty (to me) just seemed silly. Glad to know someone's got them in their collection, at least. Good video. :)
They should make an I-Pod that doubles as a shovel and see how long that last. Love Kelseys vlogs. I would not have watched this if it would have been anyone else.
This was one of your best videos. Also, not going to lie, I just ordered a copy of Raku x Raku Mishin because I love unique stuff like this even if I don't have a sewing machine for it.
The amount of deep research she does for every video of hers demands respect, even if knowledge about a Game Boy sewing machine is about obscure as my useless information should ever be.
That's actually really neat! It makes sense for that time though. I work in an embroidery shop with industrial machines, and we still only use floppy discs (in 2018). I'll tell my boss just to get some gameboys and hook em up lol
I don’t know about high-end sewing machines but I suppose these days you’d have a smartphone app or even an embedded web server (like a network router) for selecting or programming new patterns. Singer had a booth at Emerald City Comic Con, so I guess that’s an example of a market. Thanks for bringing this bit of “Only in Japan” over.
I’m an amateur seamstress; I make some of my own garments. I don’t even ~like~ machine embroidery, but I desire this machine with all the avarice in my heart!
This was a great video! I've always heard about these but never saw one in action. I liked all the old promotional images and whatnot, too. I'm interested to see that Japanese VHS tape.
Home sewing has always been a creative outlet for both males and females. The difference is that today, patterns cost about $20 each and the cheapest fabrics run about $10-$12 dollars a yard and escalate from there. That doesn't include notions--thread, buttons, zippers, bias tape, elastic, etc. You can buy an outfit from a high-end thrift store for less than it costs to sew one and, of course, the cheap shops offer outfits for far less than that. But contrast this with the cost of sewing in the 1950s. Patterns cost about 20 CENTS (not dollars). Good cotton fabrics ran about 79 cents per yard. My mother sewed everything her three daughters wore for what it would have cost to purchase garments for ONE girl. Patterns are NOT affordable until the big-box sewing and craft stores put them on sale for 99 cents Simplicity to $4.99 Vogue.
I always look for patterns and other notions at the thrift stores, and sometimes you can find fabric there too. Just make sure the whole pattern is there or you'll have to end up improvising. Always a greater deal than at the big chain stores and a better place for the stuff to end up than in the garbage.
This was super interesting! Thanks for making the video, it was really informative and well-made! The bit where you said that they wouldn’t give you the info made me realise how much time and effort you put into videos like these. I sometimes forget, so it’s good to be reminded of the craft behind the information. :)
Thank you for such an informative video. I have been curious about these machines, and am interested in getting my hands on one. I love the idea of the Nuotto with its embroidery attachment, and will be searching for a running example.
Wow, this is really informative! I'm lucky enough to have scored a complete Izek for $180 from an American seller years ago. I use it to stitch my work clothes every once in awhile, as I haven't figured out how to embroider yet.
I remember seeing the Singer model being sold on one of the home shopping networks. I would try to get my grandma to buy it because she was into sewing and I just wanted the game boy.
I almost bought the Original model, but once I found out it didn't do embroidery I passed on it. The later kit with the Mario pack would have been very tempting.
A fascinating video, thanks for making it! I think a revival is in order for sewing-based peripherals, given the exploding popularity in vintage/retro/repurposed fashion, crafting (Etsy and cosplay), and media (Project Runway, RuPaul's Drag Race, etc).
