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
Shooting Star Block
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
Goose in the Pond Block
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.
Early 1900s (?) Consew Treadle Machine
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.
99-13 with knee control, born January 20, 1926
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.
Featherweight 221, born February 15, 1939
#4 is Myrtle. Myrtle was
my husband’s maternal grandmother and this was her machine.
Kenmore 158.850, born March 1965
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.
Kenmore 385, not sure when it was manufactured.
#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.
Passport 2.0
#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 😊
We have a fondness for Kenmore
#8 is Jani. This is my everyday “go to” machine.
Janome Horizon Memory Craft 9400 QCP
#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.
Brother Overlock 1034-D
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,
14 comments:
You actually have more working sewing machines than I do. I have always wanted to try sewing on a treadle machine.
Oh I enjoyed your sewing machine history! What a lovely variety you have, and all of them working machines - pretty amazing. I have owned (and sold) a variety of Janomes and named them too. I've had Janice, Judith, Emma (an embroidery machine only so she didn't rate a "J" name - lol!), June, and now Jemma. I wish I could have kept all of them.
Well that was a fun read! Fun to learn you have as many machines as I do! I have been using my featherweight this past week. I only dig her out every couple years it seems. I confess I like my modern machines much better.
I did not know that today is National Sewing Machine Day, Jeanna! I certainly appreciate my machines, although I don't have as much of an assortment as you do. (I have three!) I love that little Featherweight! Your Halloween blocks look good to me - I'm sorry the one gave you problems.
So many lovely machines!
Hi Jeanne, wow, this was a fascinating and enjoyable post. I took sewing in high school but never got a sewing machine to continue, unfortunately. I am 68 now but thanks to you and this post I can enjoy it nonetheless 😊
Sorry, I thought sure I had typed Jeanna.
Thank you for the tour of your sewing machines. I love how you name them by honoring their former owners. I have quite a few machines myself but usually just use my Bernina on a daily basis.
Nifty post. You have a wonderful selection of machines. I've been giving away some (okay, probably only one) as I don't really need too many and none have any sentimental value. Thanks for sharing your girls!
What a lovely collection - I love Minni - shame your daughter didn't get the bug! (Nor have mine)
I have my mum's old treadle machine - but it just lives in its cupboard...maybe one day I will see if I can get a treadle bit for it as that went to my brother and is now . . .somewhere...lost!
Your Goose in the Pond is a stunner. Lovely to see all your machines. I learnt to sew on my Mums Singer treadle and loved it. Was very sad when it was replaced by an electric machine but I had left home by then and had my own electric machine so couldn't complain. I have a basic Bernina now which is the best machine I have owned. Does everything I want it to do which means nothing too fancy. Weighs a tone though which is it's only drawback. Happy machining. xx
Love these Halloween blocks...so beautifully stitched! My first machine...I've only had 3, was a Kenmore and I sewed two sleeping bags on it...they were kits from Frostline. It worked great. How neat you have a collection.
Love seeing your sewing machines, Jeanna! Every machine tells a story, thanks for sharing. I have a treadle machine after my grandmother, it is with a dear friend in Norway. I didn't want to bring it with me, I was afraid it would rust in the high humidity here. Minni is the cutest of them all! Love your Halloween blocks too.
those are great block s - i really like 15!!
what a great line up of machines too
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