Halloween Figs and National Sewing Machine Day

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,