Sewing, Knitting, Quilting and Fabric Love

I was tired of looking at the standard black Featherweight sewing machine box.  Boring!

I knew that I wanted to do something 'different' to make it my own!  Decoupage, hmmmm?!  I didn't know if I wanted to decoupage with paper or fabric until I saw this...and, this!

And, came up with this...

I still need to add grosgrain or some sort of ribbon to the handle, per suggestion of my online crafty friend, Rita!  You gotta go check out her Etsy shop here!  Still have more to do, but so far I'm pleased with my box!

Next, on the creative agenda, was this laptop bag for my daughter!  All of my thrifting and garage sale shopping, left me defeated in finding a laptop bag that would fit "today's" laptops.  Most of the ones I came across were for retro laptops!  I'm talking about 5" thick from the 90's and shorter in width!

I'm also knitting a cowl for a dear friend!  Found this easy and cute pattern by Madelinetosh!  She's on Ravelry, also!  Beautiful patterns!

These blocks are from a Block Exchange via Treadle On.  For the love of vintage and antique people-powered machines!  Rules for this block exchange, this block design and colors be sewn on either a treadle or hand crank German manufactured machine!  Here's the machine I used!

Here's a center medallion block I made in March.  This is one of my WIPs!

And, I've been feeling the urge to splurge on some fabric!  The budget was tight, but my neighborhood fabric shop had a great sale!  (That's my story and I'm sticking to it!)  So, I picked up these fat quarters!

I'm sorry I didn't have any Junk Love for you!  Maybe, next week...we'll see!  For now, I need to go over homework with the 2 youngest children and work on my assignment, due Monday!

Until next time...

HAPPY SEWING, KNITTING, and QUILTING!

Sewing Machine Salvation

I collect sewing machines!  I love sewing machines AND I love to sew!

About a week ago, I picked up a treadle sewing machine.  Unfortunately, the base was rusted and broken; and the cabinet was beyond repair.  I was able to save the machine head...

The decals are silver and some are missing.

The wheel could not/would not turn.

All I can say is...Yuck!

And, after a couple of days of cleaning, so far she looks like this...

She looks so much better!

A great site for information on your vintage sewing machine is ISMACS.  I found a little info on her:  Minnesota Model A - manufactured by Davis Sewing machines and sold thru Sears & Roebuck thru 1910.  The "Minnesota" was a vibrating shuttle model manufactured by the Goodrich Sewing Machine Co., of Chicago, Illinois.  Made at the company's Kankakee, IL plant.  This 1890s machine used a New Home type shuttle, a Domestic styled bobbin winder and resembles a National.

The wheel turns now!

With a little more cleaning and some new decals, she could look like new!  Treadle On was a great resource on how to clean and repair vintage machines!

Now, all I need is to find decals and 'how-to' put decals on a machine.  And, a treadle base and table.  I had fun learning how-to salvage a machine in 'this' condition.  This was my first attempt, to this extent...EVER!  I hope to get as good as some other vintage machine collector's who clean, repair and restore machines!

Have a Blessed New Year!