We are changing things up a little this week. In recognition of National Sewing Machine Day, this post will focus on quilting progress and sewing machines instead of cross-stitch.
First, here is Block #14
of the Halloween Figs Block of the Month
It measures a very wonky 8.5” and is pinned to remind me to try making it again after the other blocks are complete. I am sure I will have enough fabric.
This is Block #15
It measures 15.5” and I love it! I may replace one of the same sized appliqué blocks in the quilt with another one of these blocks.
Next, is a sewing machine
parade…after all, it is National Sewing Machine Day.
From the internet…
June 13 marks National
Sewing Machine Day, a celebration of one of the most transformative inventions
in textile history. The sewing machine revolutionized how we create clothing,
textiles, and other fabric goods, making it possible to create more complex and
intricate clothing patterns and stitches at a scale and speed not possible with
hand-sewing.
#1 is Hattie. This treadle
machine belonged to my husband’s maternal great-grandmother of the same name.
We are not sure how old it is, and I have not been successful in researching model
numbers for the Consew brand machines. It
works like a dream, according to my machine repair man. I just need to attach
the new belt I purchased and give it a whirl.
She came with several attachments and needles. Apparently, you could also get this machine wired for electricity. This is purely a treadle.
#2 is a bread box from the
same great-grandmother. I name her Mam-may because that is what her grand and
great-grandchildren called her.
I used Mam-may to make a temperature quilt back in 2018. She also sews very well.
#3 is Flossie. Flossie is
my mama’s nickname and she, along with my husband, gave this one to me a few
years ago for my birthday. This little work horse goes with me on camping trips
and was used to make a farmhouse quilt. I will share more about that quilt in a
future post.
#4 is Myrtle. Myrtle was
my husband’s maternal grandmother and this was her machine.
I used this one to make a baby quilt…ok, it was for my granddog.
#5 is Keni. This is my very
first sewing machine and it truly is a beast. It will sew materials that give newer
domestic machines a fit. For instance, I reattached leather straps to a
backpack once. This was before I bought my current everyday machine.
#6 is Pfaff. I purchased this little machine when I was taking some classes at a local quilt shop. I needed something that would provide more than just a straight stitch. It is a great travel machine as it only weighs 12 pounds.
#7 is Minni. I gifted this
machine to my daughter when she was in high school. I had hopes of turning her
into a quilter. Just so you know how that went…I have the machine 😊
#8 is Jani. This is my everyday “go to” machine.
#9 is Sergio. My mom gave this to me in the mid-1990s when my children were small and I used to do a lot of garment sewing. I use it today to serge my cross stitch fabrics.
Randy at Randy’s Sewing
Center in Fayetteville, NC services all of my machines. He had a shop in
Stuart, Florida when we lived there. He and his wife moved from Florida to
North Carolina to be closer to their children. He is fourth generation in the
business and knows both vintage and new machines very well.
I used to own two Brother
sewing/embroidery combination machines. The first one was limited to a 5x7 hoop
and the second one was, I am convinced, built on a Friday afternoon before a
holiday weekend. It caused more frustration than enjoyment. I must note that I
did not purchase those machines from Randy.
If you read to the end,
thank you for allowing me to share. Each machine has a purpose and a very sentimental
attachment.
My cross-stitch update
will be tomorrow, Saturday.
I hope you have a wonderful
weekend.
Joining Alycia for Finished (or not) Friday.
See you soon,