Fraternal Twins

These two machines are pretty similar.  So similar that we thought we could sca the tension assembly from the Elgin for the White.  We couldn't.  Just enough different.

We were able to fix the White's tension issues.  While the Elgin does not have the extension table for the free arm, I sill adore this little machine.  It has some needle bar issues and hopefully some lapping compound will fix it.  But I love the little compartment right in front of the pillar.   It makes a decent stitch.  Once I have two functioning thumbs I would like to see if I can fix that needle bar. 

BROWNIES

No, we don't mean the kind you eat.  But that is a good idea.

We are having a Brownie Troop over on Sunday to make their badge sashes.

Betsy is modeling the one she made.

Of course, it will fit a 7 year old better...

Cute little Burlap Bag

 

I just had to sew today.  I finished a sewing apron (behind the bag) first.  Then I dove into this project.  It is a free pattern on line.  http://lamaisonreid.blogspot.com/2010/08/burlap-purse-with-shabby-rose.html

Originally I was going to use some green burlap I found at the thrift store.  Then I got a whiff.  I threw it in the wash with my really stinky clothes I wore when I cleaned, oiled and adjusted the Pittsburgh 201-2  http://mysewingmachineobsession.blogspot.com/2012/10/it-stitches.html

I found this stash of burlap.  I think it is more yellow than it appears here.  There are several things that I would do totally differently from the original instructions.  I realize that I covered up the cute pleats on the front.  

But you can see them on the back

I used a magnetic snap.  Gosh they are  easy to use!!!

I used a child's belt from the thrift store for the strap.  Next time I will make straps to match the lining.  I felt lazy today.

I did add a pocket.  Sort of after the fact.  I had made the lining and sewed it together before I realized that I should attach the pocket first.  Next time

Next time I will make two straps and attach one to the front and one to the back for better access to the bag when carrying it.

I am not dis-pleased.  I will give it to someone for a Holiday present this year. 

Singer Touch and Sew 626

We decided that it was time to sell off some of our machines.  We listed this darling little Touch and Sew on eBay and it sold with its BIN offer within one hour of listing.  We wish we had four more to sell.  We are happy that it is going to its new home tomorrow and for a demo of how to pack a machine in a case for shipping, check in tomorrow.

UPDATE

I got so involved in packing this machine for shipment that I failed to take many photos at all.

Let's just say I spent the morning getting it ready and I am pretty certain that it will arrive safely.  It is a cocoon within a cocoon.  I packed all the protruding parts with styrofoam and then wrapped it with cling wrap o keep the hand wheel from moving.  Then I wrapped it with tons of bubble wrap and filled in the gaps with plastic gorcery bags.  THEN I put the case on it and wrapped that with bubble wrap.  Then I wrapped that with card board and put it in a box and sealed it all up.  And then found the button hole attachment all by itself sitting on the table.  I shipped it separately.

More Sewing on Sundays

It was cold and rainy this morning.  The dogs and I settled in to the sewing loft for some cozy creating near the wood stove.  They slept.  I sewed.  I had started this bag during the week and was determined to finish it today.

The strap can be shortened.

 Or worn really long.

The lining fabric was in my stash.  I was saving it. FOR WHAT?  I wonder.  Like all the fabric in the stash.   Now I plan to make a pleated clutch with it to match this bag.

Betsy and I bought some baubles at that yard sale yesterday.  I think she took them home with her.  Gotta go get something for the zipper.

UPDATE
 Back from Betsy's and the bag now has its BLING

Sewing on Sundays

Betsy and I have decided that the best way for us to get going with our dream is to just start.  We have vowed to sew every Sunday from 2 - 5 PM.  We have classes all planned out but if no one signs up we still sew.  No one signed up for today.  Betsy came to my house (classes are at her house) and she helped me organize and clean the loft.  She is the best at organizing and is a bit of a Drill Sergeant. I needed the help.  We re-arranged some machines and I moved the ironing board and some how that created a whole lot more room.  The sloped walls further limit the amount of useable space.  Just imagine if those walls actually rose from the floor at a 90 degree angle all the way.  I could have SHELVES.

Boy, looking at the photo, it looks messy.  You should have seen it before. It was chaos.

We worked on a self binding receiving blanket.  There is a You tube video of this project
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lqwdNqMZ8Ro

It took us a bit longer than she claimed it would.  Mitering the corners is easy but you have to be precise  and follow her directions carefully.  It was a fun little project.  I would do it again. 

I used my Singer 201-2 for this project.  I had tension problems.  Finally I loosened the bobbin tension and changed to good thread.  That helped.  I wonder if the check spring needs adjustment.  Something isn't quite right.  Well, good thing I have a Repair Shop right next door.

Sewing Class

Betsy and I got up early, headed to Oneonta and taught four wonderful women how to construct fabric baskets.  I love seeing other sewers fabric choices and combinations.  We had fun, class went well and now there are four more fabric baskets on the planet.

Melany, the store owner, was off on a run this morning so I opened up to get ready for class.  I pretended the shop was mine for about fifteen minutes.  What a dream, to be surrounded by all that fabric !  Just my imagination, running away with me.

It is a great space, full of light and color.  She has an online store, too.   Check it out. 

http://www.projectanthologies.com/

RE-PURPOSING

Somewhere in my internet ramblings I saw a post about how to make a purse from kids jeans.  I decided that I wanted to try that.

I found a darling little jeans skirt at the thrift store locally for a buck.  Turns out, it was a skort.  Inside were some cotton shorts.  I thought some of tearing them out, but didn't.  Instead I cut out the crotch and steam a seamed that fabric to the denim.  I lined the bag with some scrap fabric and used a belt for the strap.

I don't know what it is about me and men's undergarments..  The fabric I used for the lining is adorable as a fabric basket

 

But looks like boxer shorts on the inside of this bag

The fabric was from a scrap I got from Melany at Project Anthologies http://www.projectanthologies.com/   I was practicing for the fabric basket class.  The little jeans skirt was from our local thrift store as was the belt.  The snaps were from a stash.  The bag cost 2 bucks in materials and a whole lot of fun to make.  I have two other pair of little kids jeans shorts.  I can't wai to see what evolves from them!

Fabric Baskets

Betsy and I are teaching another sewing class at Project Anthologies in Oneonta this fall.  Fabric Basket.  Melany, the store owner, thought this would be a good project.  So we are on for September 22.  It is a fun little project, really.  I found the pattern on line. https://sew4home.com/projects/storage-solutions/you-asked-4-it-structured-fabric-baskets  I made some modifications and eliminated the handles for this basket.

She makes a hem on the top of both the lining and the basket and then stitches it together with the wrong sides together.  I put the lining inside the basket right sides facing, stitched along the top and left a gap and then insided it out.  Its bulky  with the interfacing, but I think it is less work.

This one has handles.  I used sew-in interfacing vs fusible.  I like it better.  It is also heavier and gives the basket more heft.  BUT it is not so forgiving with the inside out method. I think that I will try the hem method next.  I will also make straps that are not so thick.  Still, I think it is adorable and a fun little quick project.

All bagged out

A gazillion years ago, when I was way into quilting, I made a celtic knot quilt.  It stayed on the bed for many years until it wore out.  I don't know where it is now.  I suppose it is tucked away somewhere, waiting for me to fix it. 

I came across some rejected squares as I was "cleaning" this weekend.  I found the fabric in my stash and made it into a bag.  Betsy and I are teaching our last class on Wednesday.  Guess what we're making?  A tote bag.  I am pretty tired of practicing the class projects.  So I decided to gussie up the demo bag and came up with this idea.  I love it.  I used fusible interfacing so that it has some heft and I turned up the corners on the bottom to give it some shape.  Vera Bradly it aint.  But then it didn't cost me an arm and a leg.  Its original, for sure.  Shoot, maybe I can quit my day job with all the money I save; grooming my own dogs(http://mysewingmachineobsession.blogspot.com/2012/08/do-it-yourself.html and making my own totes.......Nah.

Revision

I did not like it, not at all.  I did not like the way the strap came out on Anna's bag.  So I went to the thrift store and found an old belt for a buck.  I took off the rectangle "rings" and used them on the bag.  Much better.

 

I made tabs and  I also made the strap narrower.  It is still just as comfy.  But I like this better.  

And for comparison...

I am pretty much all bagged out.  We have guests coming and I really should attend to tidying up the place, giving dogs baths and haircuts and perhaps dig into that new Davis.   Or finish a couple of things I have started.   Or not.....

Is it Magic?

I have wanted t find a Davis Sewing Machine for about three months.  There was one at an Estate Sale in Utica earlier this summer.  I just couldn't get there. 

Earlier this week I had a phone call from a friend of a friend.  She had a Davis for sale.  It was only 25 miles away.  Today I went to look at it and well, another machine came home with me.

I have noticed that when I decide that I want a machine, that machine pops up with in weeks usually.  Is it Magic?  The same thing happened with the Singer 31-15.  Last December I decided I wanted a heavier duty machine, preferably a treadle. By January I had the 31-15 at home.

Of course, this phenomenon is not so mysterious with machines that are abundant.  The Singer 66 with the Lotus decal was another "magical appearance."  But, oddly enough, I have not seen many Lotus decals since I found mine.  I wish I could.  I want one that is nicer.   There, now maybe one will pop up.

ART

Class went well last night.  Everyone had beautiful colors and wonderful projects.  So gratifying to see people who don't sew learn and CREATE.  Betsy kept telling everyone "That's not a mistake, this is ART."

What a Sham

Betsy and I are teaching a class to beginning sewers this coming Wednesday.  We have had most, if not all of the students in a previous class.  Hopefully they will remember some of what we taught them.  Especially how to thread the machine.

We will be making a pillow sham from three fat quarters.  I never work with fat quarters.  I always just used regular dimensional fabric.  This has been a challenge.  We wanted to keep it simple and keep the cutting to a minimum.  As a matter of fact, the plan is for us to do the cutting....that way we might get out of there on time this week.

 I had these fat quarters in my stash.  They were a gift. Thank goodness I had them; saved me a boat load of time cutting up some fabric into fat quarters.  Well, I had to cut some of my own stash into a fat quarter because when I cut the original fat quarter I cut it wrong.  Hence the purple that doesn't quite match.  But check out the stitches.  See how much that 201 likes white thread? 

This was the third pillow cover like this I made.  I made the first at Betsy's yesterday and the second this morning on the 31-15.(We awoke to the alarm clock choking on a brown out.  Fourth time in less than two weeks that NYSEG has failed us).  I love this machine.  It is so smooth and quiet.  No motor.  I did have to adjust the belt a couple of times.  But I think it is just fine now. Check out the knee lifter.  It lifts the presser foot up and when up it lets it down.  Way cool.

In teaching sewing to beginners, it is most helpful to keep it very straight forward and simple.  The draw string bag class was way too complex.  Hopefully this one will be just right.  We will keep you posted.

Bag Day

I started this bag in March when Betsy and I were getting ready for our sewing classes that never happened.  It is a nine patch quilted tote.  I used fabric from Betsy's stash and I love the colors.

I finished it today.  It had been languishing on the table for all this time.  I originally thought that I would try free motion quilting with one of the 301s.  Today I got an itch to FINISH something and so I just used the 201 and stitched in the ditch.  I thought that a walking foot would work the best and tried the one from my viking.  It is a low shank machine so I thought it might work.  Not so.  The regular foot did a fine job.  More testimony to the wonder of the 201.  I know that my Quilt Designer would not have tolerated that really thick batting without the walking foot.  I'll put up with the finnicky tension just to have the power of that 201. Plus it sewed through all layers effortlessly when I stitched the bag together.

It is completely reversible.  If you ever wanted to be seen in public carrying a bag that looks like men's pajamas. You can see that I did try some FMQ briefly but that was on one of the Kenmores without a darning foot.  It was summarily unsatisfactory.  The stitches are tiny and I am NOT looking forward to pulling them out.  One night when I am watching a movie.....maybe. 

I also finished Anna's bag.  I think that the strap is too wide but it is comfy.  I padded it with baby crib bumper batting that I had left over from another project. 

It too is fully lined.  I think it will hold up for a little while.  I plan to make another and I have already figured out how I am going to attach the strap on the next one.

Max had told me that I should make Anna a big bag with a zipper so I started this one in early June.  I finished it today.

 

It is fully lined and I think it would make a great overnight bag.  I think I will make a draw string bag for shoes and another for toiletries.  A nice little luggage set for a carry on.

 

Plagerism

My daughter in law wanted a zippered tote for her birthday (now more than a month gone.....)
She showed me one she likes.  The problem is the strap.  It is rope and digs into her shoulder when she carries it.  She had some fabric and we bought some lining while we were out that way a month ago.  I worked on it today.  Finally.

Here is the original.  I copied it without permission.  (plagerism).  I did change the strap.  So it isn't really plagerism.

Here is the one that I have made. I used batting for the strap to pad it.  It is quite comfortable.   I see, though, that the strap is too long.  Darn.  I basted it first, tried it one and found it fit me perfectly.  So I stitched it up with a good stitch. But now, looking at in on the mannequin it clearly is too long.  Anna is not as tall as I am, it will be too long for her.  Shoot.  Good thing I have a seam ripper. 

So much to sew, so little time

Tonight was our class on how to make a draw string bag.  It went way over time.   I planned poorly, not knowing the audience, and so we ran out of time. But, undaunted we all stayed until the project was done.  True we had to pitch in and help finish the kids' bags, but they were pleased.  I hope.  

Teaching sewing is hard.  I was so lucky to have had my Mom teach me.  I remember sitting on her lap and running the foot controller and she would guide the fabric.  It worked really well.  I don't remember when I graduated to doing it on my own.  But she was a good teacher and let me learn and work independently.   I sewed a lot in high school and then always had a sewing machine once I graduated from college.  My first was a Kenmore.  We used Kenmores in tonight's class.  I love those machines.

We had two 9 year old sisters (two of triplets).  I like to teach kids how to sew.  I think, though, that we cannot do a mixed class.  We had adults and kids in tonight's class.  Kids only or adults only is the best.

We wanted to launch the classes quickly.  Melany's store just opened and she had been getting many requests for classes.  So we jumped in.  Not a bad thing, really.  Educational all the way around.

Next week Betsy is in charge.  And I am happy to defer to her for the last class as well.  Still, I want to do a Saturday class with kids.  That would be fun... 

Lesson Plan

I made this today.  It is the prototype for Wednesday's class.  It was a fun little project.  There are plans on the web for free. 

It isn't hard to make at all. I did take photos and have outlined detailed, step by step, fully illustrated instructions.  I plan to hand them out at class.  Contact me if you would like them.....might be a nominal fee,  just so you know.  The blog is free. The Website isn't. 

 Next class we will be making a pieced, envelope pillow cover.  I guess we had better get busy on that lesson plan........

I wish I could just sew all day.  Maybe someday......

Sold!

It's going to Florida.  I spent two hours packing it tonight.  Ebay is funny.  I was pretty convinced that the machine was going to stay home.  Five minutes to go on the auction and I was trying hard not to be too disappointed.  I mean, it is a Centennial 201 and it is a lovely machine.  Quiet and powerful and it makes a nicer stitch, really, than my own.  But still, I don't need two (or three).

I was working on the Drawstring tutorial for Wednesday night's class.  The email bing sounded and to my surprise eBay informed me that the machine had sold.  Must have been an auction stealer according to the bidding times.

So it is off for the South.  Better it than me. I lived in Florida in 1973.  I was a kid (20) and it was ok but I don't do well with the heat. Still, I had a great little sports car there; a TR-4A.  It never ran when it rained.  How can a British car never run in the rain? 

http://world-viewer.com/photos/triumph-tr4-a/11/

OOOHHH now that I look at it again, I  want one......

No Charge

I took in a Singer 348 to Clean, Oil and Adjust yesterday.  The machine was expelling some millet and sunflower seeds.  When I removed the drip pan this is what I found

Now G. had told me she was sewing along fine with the machine and it all of a sudden stopped sewing.  None of these seeds were to blame. When she brought it to me, I found that the power cord was loose and I thought that was the problem.

I happily cleaned this machine.  I oiled it, cleaned old grease off of the gears and applied new grease and wiped the whole machine down with some Krud Kutter.  It sure was pretty when I was done.

Then I decided to test its stitch.  OOPS  I forgot to clean under the power cord.  Double OOPS and some other expletives when I unplugged it, turned it over and found THIS.

So this is scary.  I did not run the machine.  I tucked it away, called G. and told her about the sad finding.  She retrieved her machine tonight and offered to pay me for the work I had done.  I said  "NO"  I would not have done any of that work had I been smart and checked this out first.  My fault and she shouldn't have to pay for that, for Pete's sake.  She argued a bit and finally I said, " Just make a donation to the SPCA then."  Seems fair.

You know, I really do want to repair and refurbish sewing machines.  But it takes a lot of skill and even more common sense.  Some day I will acquire enough skill.  Its' the common sense I worry about.  I wonder if there is a gene for that?  Sort of like the tidy gene.

www.sewingmachinemagic.com

Our web site is up.  It is a baby and has only one page.  Folks just have to be understanding right now as I get educated about how to build a site.  I figure if I can learn how to re wire a motor I can learn how to build a web site.  Wish me luck.   www.sewingmachinemagic.com

Bye Daddy

Betsy and I decided that we needed a Web Site.  More than just the little one page deal we got along with the Domain that we bought from GoDaddy.  So I signed up for their WebSite Tonight do it yourself Web Site Builder.  It was a disaster.  Apparently the latency in my satellite dish is too long and I was unable to log in successfully 9 times out of 10 and when I was successful I would get booted out for time delay....It was a most frustrating experience.  After three days of trying this and that and that and this (I went next door and used a neighbor's Hughes Net satellite, worked just fine, though slow).  Today I finally went over to Betsy's to try one more time.  It did not work there either (she has the same dish that I have )   According to the ISP tech, GoDaddy is supposed to have some sort of setting that could be adjusted to accept satellite users.  Not so according to the very nice young man who helped me today.  I cancelled the account.  Now to find a Web Site builder that will work.

Bye Daddy

Kenmore 158.1931

I just had to work on a machine today.  I spent too much time trying to get a decent photo for the web page http://sewingmachinemagic.com.  I had to haul the 201 down from the sewing loft and set it all up and try and try to get something in the back ground that would allow readable text.  This will just have to do.  Later I will take another photo...Much later.

This Kenmore is one of my favorites because it has a free arm.  I use my 1760 a lot and I love the free arm capability.   There are times when I feel that I should be loyal to the flat bed machines....then I need the free arm and I am done with that silliness.  There is nothing like a free arm when you need it.

I bought this machine on eBay from BM.  She packed it very poorly and it arrived damaged.

 She did agree to take it back.  Then I changed my mind.  Forgetting to include the foot controller in the package when I packed the machine for return  inluenced my decision.  Plus it came with a whole lot of goodies.  The machine makes a very nice stitch and the stretch stitches now work (they didn't when it arrived, "fully serviced and ready to go.")  Whoever serviced this did  a lousy job.  The old grease was still stuck on the gear cover.  

And the gears were dry

I cleaned out the old grease and put some Tri-Flow grease on those gears.
Much better....You can see how the Tri-Flow grease really sticks. 

The tension was all wacky and I spent some time taking that thing apart and re-assembling it.  I finally got it right.  Setting the number dial on this machine is not as easy as setting it on a Singer such as the 66 or even the 401.  I just fiddled with it.  Don't ask, please, I just really don't know what I did.  I did not try to machine out before I took the tension apart.  It looked odd to me so I just figured it was wrong.

The machine stitches very nicely now.  Except that the cams don't work right.  Tomorrow the machine goes in the Jetta for a sauna.  Maybe that will heat some of the gunked up oil and grime and then I can put more Tri-Flow somewhere in there and try it out.  Who knows?

Why I love my Kenmore 158.1760

I made this little clutch purse today after I got home from my disappointing trip to fetch a Singer 223. http://mysewingmachineobsession.blogspot.com/2012/06/consolation-prize.html

It was a bit of a pain making all those pleats.  I am going to try the Ruffler next time I make it.  Experimentation time.

This is fabric that I got for free at an auction.  You know, the stuff they didn't sell and don't value and leave out at the end for us scavengers to scoop up.  There were a lot of "home decor" samples.   Most of them are about 24 inches square.  That's a lot of fabric.  I love to make bags and 24 inches is a pretty useful size.

Except that I needed a piece 30 inches long for this.  So I found some matching fabric of about the same weight and went to town working on this bag.  The only problme, this fabric frays.  Now if I were an expert with the serger I would have just gotten it out and set it up and that would be that. BUT the Kenmore 1760 is ALL set up and ready to go.   Honestly, I did not want to add to my frustration.  So I used one of the special stitches on the Kenmore to bind the edges.

 Now pay attention.  One hand is holding the camera and they  other is guiding the fabric.  Pretty steady feeding.  And just listen to that machine.  It is a bit rattly at the higher speed.  I may look into that.  But I do love this machine.  It's such a joy to use.

The free arm is another huge advantage. I love the whisper quiet of the 158.511 and the rhythm of the 158.96 but I love a free arm.  Oh I know that I could manage with a flat bed and I have, but still why make life more difficult?  Aren't they pretty stitches?