I’m Sewing Again

No sewing since late October for one thing or another.  I finally had time the day before Thanksgiving and decided to take the plunge on the "new" machine.  It's so quiet!  Rob says it sounds like running water from the other room.

I did some stitch-in-the-ditch to tack the layers down.  I wasn't sure how much trouble I'd have with free motion quilting, since it's thick batting.  I had a lot of skipped stitches until I figured out my hopping foot wasn't holding the fabric tight enough.  I swapped to the hopping ruler foot which helped (but it doesn't lift much, so I'm dealing with bunched fabric).  

I Like Thursday: November Thanks

November was a rock-and-roll month.  I pushed myself to get things done and to prep for my mother's move.  Whew.  Now I need to slow down and take a break (which is often easier said than done).

Lots of success, though; lots to like and be grateful for.  Good things to link up with LeeAnna at I Like Thursday.

I spent a chunk of time reupholstering chairs, refurbishing a Singer 201 and refinishing the cabinet.  Isn't the purple handsome on the chairs?  I even had enough to cover the sewing machine cabinet's bench.

A Shiny Finish (Almost)

Oh, look!  This is my new sewing machine cabinet that I've spent the last couple of weeks refinishing.  I can't believe how well it turned out.

The story started mid-October when I picked up a Singer 201 with cabinet I found on nextdoor.  I was only interested in the sewing machine and had intended to pass the table along.  Then I discovered the machine's pedal was built into the cabinet.  I didn't realize from the posting that it included a stool as well.  Soon after I got it home, I started imagining using the storage space in the stool and drawers.  I didn't want to split up the machine and its cabinet.  So now I wasn't just spiffing up a sewing machine - I was taking on a major wood refinishing project.

I started working on the cabinet two weeks ago.  What a difference sanding, stain and polyurethane makes!  I finished the last bit of sanding and reupholstered the stool on Friday.  Rob replaced the power cord and wired the sewing machine all back together.  Only one piece was incomplete:  the belt.  The replacement I bought didn't fit.  I've got a new one on order. So close!  It's in working order, so I'm happy.

A Bit of Uphostery

Last month I picked up some free dining room chairs.  They were in very good shape, although a few of the beige fabric seats had stains.  I decided to reupholster them.

I found some dark purple fabric at Swanson's.  It's a bit heavier than the old fabric and has some nap (which I accidentally cut the wrong direction on my first attempt). 

We pulled out the staples on the first chair (which was a painful process).  I used that fabric as a template, but the remaining chairs I simply covered over the existing fabric.  It's a little bulkier, but not much. 

Oil, Polyurethane, and Elbow Grease

My sewing projects are on hold as I've been repairing and conditioning two sewing machines and refinishing the sewing machine cabinet that came with the Singer 201.  I wish I had taken more photos of the cabinet before I started working on it.  I suspect it was recently used as a plant stand given the water damage.  You can see how bad the left side was, and the right side (which I had already removed) was no better. 

A sorry start, pulling apart the top, and after a little light sanding

I Like Thursday: October Occurrences

October has slipped by - it's time to share some of my joys with LeeAnna and friends at  I Like Thursday.

I enjoyed the fall colors, as muted as they were.  Leaves dropped almost as fast as they turned.  There was a lot of green well into the month but at this point it's rusty or bare trees.

Rob and I finally made a trip to The Clark, which we had planned weeks before, but life kept getting in the way.

I managed to squeeze in two trips to the pond to kayak between the rain and windy weather.  My sister joined me last Friday (with amazing 75° weather!). Not nearly enough paddling this fall, but I was happy we got the chance to go out.

Sandwiched Mat

I accomplished my October goal - it's a sandwiched quilt.  

The backing is leftover blocks, just as the front had been.  The middle diamond came from my recent baby quilt. The kite squares were rejects from Bouncing Boxes.  I didn't have enough of the dark grey to make the background, so I dug around for my unloved fabric.  Light colors didn't work, but oddly enough this red did.  None of the other reds.  Not even a dark green.  How odd.  

It's loud - more than the front.  But since it's the backing I'm not too concerned with the volume.

I sandwiched it with batting  from an old comforter my sister gave me.  The project is a lot of recycling and upcycling!  Initially I folded the batting into three layers for some padding for my knees.  However, it was hard to pin and I feared it would be simply too puffy.  I removed a layer, which pinned together easier.  I'll start quilting as soon as I straighten out my sewing machines.  I plan to quilt this heavily since it's supposed to be mostly flat.  We'll see what inspires me.

I had hoped to have it quilted by Halloween but got sidetracked with sewing machines!

Once it's quilted I'll attach the rubber shelf lining (in a way yet to be determined). 

Singers and Guinea Pigs

I once heard that guinea pigs are like potato chips - you can't have just one.  It appears that old Singer sewing machines are the same.  I had a single one for years and years.  And today?  I'm embarrassed to say there are six currently residing in the house.  Sewing machines, that is.  Not a guinea pig to be seen.  I need to start reducing the Singers and fostering guinea pigs again.

My experience in buying a Singer feels similar to adopting a guinea pig.  It doesn't matter if it's in bad shape (like Mabel) or has a bad attitude (like Willow and the Newbies).  Once I see it and have introductions, it needs to come home with me.  I'll give it love and affection while it's here.  (Including when it causes me to pull my hair out.  <sigh>)