Vintage Singer 404

Here she is: Elizabeth, a Singer model 404! I bought her online back in December, from Goodwill. The photos looked good and the price was right at $50. She was manufactured around May 1960 at the Elizabethport, New Jersey factory.

When she arrived, we were amazed. She has a couple of chips on the handwheel, but no scratches on the rest of the paint to speak of, and not a spot of rust. Even the bobbin tire and brown spool felts were in good shape and look original. She was a cabinet model, still had hinges attached and there was no drip pan or foot controller. We don't believe she was used much.

Jerold gave her a good clean and oil, replaced the top motor bearing, and ordered new spool pins (bent), a foot controller/cord, and some rubber feet. We polished and waxed her to a gleaming shine before I started sewing. No paint job needed for this two-tone cream and beige girl.

She stitches like a dream and is pretty quiet. I've already pieced a quilt with her. Elizabeth is a nice straight stitch machine to add to our collection. I'm on the lookout for a drip pan, or maybe I can get my resident handyman to build a wooden base.

More updates later on our ongoing vintage sewing machine addiction. I love sharing a hobby with my guy and thoroughly enjoy working with him to restore these machines.

 

Purple Passion

I had several other quilts finished and ready to write about, but I moved this one to the head of the line. This new die from Blue Wren is gorgeous!

The die is called Oopsy Daisy. It is very similar to a vintage design published as America's Pride in the Laura Wheeler syndicated newspaper column, which started in 1933.

As I waited for my order to arrive from Australia, I used EQ8 to design so that when it arrived I would be ready to go. The postman delivered my package of dies on Thursday around lunchtime and I started making test blocks immediately. I cut this one and started sewing Friday morning.  I finished quilting and added the binding on Sunday afternoon. Needless to say, there was no cooking or cleaning done at my house since Thursday.

Luscious purple batik and prints show off the elements of the block. The curves sew easily and quickly. I used medium lavender thread to outline stitch part of the design, then filled in with free motion quilting on the solid color. Purple Passion is 37” square and fits nicely between the windows in my sewing room.

Purple Passion

I absolutely love this one! Thanks to Norma and Edward Grimmer at Blue Wren for all their pretty dies and great customer service. Three more of their dies are waiting for me to cut and sew, and I can't wait to get started. Stay tuned!

Dies used:

Blue Wren
6816 Oopsy Daisy 6” finished quarter block, 12” finished block

Accuquilt
55017 Strip 2½”

 

Smithereens

Smithereens

Today's quilt is the second one that I pieced at the campground. I love designs created with remnants. Four large colorful medallions are made up of triangles cut with the Morningstar die.

When we got home, I added corner triangles to the octagon shaped pieces. Since I added rows, I didn't have the perfect size, so I cut larger ones and trimmed down when I squared up the blocks.

Smithereens is 48” square. I quilted with beige thread, following the outline of each quarter section in a bullseye design, then diagonally across each block. I added a decorative stitch along the main seam lines.

Dies used:
Accuquilt 
55556 Morning Star 12”
55017 Strip 2 ½”

Blue Wren

6522 Half Square Triangle 8 ½” (trimmed to size)

FABRIC UPDATE: Well, I got a phone call from Mrs. Mary. She didn't sell all the fabric at her yard sale, so she offered me the opportunity to shop some more. You have to know that I couldn't resist! 

Nine bankers boxes came home with me this time, just over 400 yards of quilting cotton for $200.  There are baggies of precuts and remnants, plus fabric up to 15 yard lengths.  I worked on it all week.  It's neatly folded and stacked in the closet now, and I've already cut my next quilt.

I promise I won't be looking for fabric sales for a while. I may never leave the sewing room.

Camper Sewing and Fabric Bliss

Sorry to miss last week's blog post. We had poor internet connectivity at the campground. We were able to check email and a few favorite online sites, so we got by. It was actually a very nice, relaxing two weeks, including my birthday. We ate inside a restaurant for the first time in over a year!

We filled our time with leisurely walks, reading, movies, people watching, and enjoying each other's company. I was able to sort some of the hundreds of quilt design idea pics that I've saved on my laptop. I moved them into folders organized by the block name or die design.

Both quilt kits that I took along are nearly done, just a few finishing touches left. I set up Rockette on the dining table and stitched away on those cool rainy days. Here's a sneak peek at the tops. I'll post details later when they're quilted.

I saved the best news for last: This past weekend, I saw a yard sale listing that included a room full of fabric! Yep, it was only 40 miles away from the campsite, so my darling husband had keys in hand and was ready to drive me. A sweet lady was downsizing into a condo. Wonderful antique quilts, unfinished tops, books, notions, and hundreds of yards of fabric, sorted by color. Needless to say, I wanted it all but I practiced some restraint. I did buy a lot of it. I haven't measured yet, but I estimate over 160 yards of quilting cotton.

One of the coolest finds was her huge collection of vintage flour and sugar sacks, all sizes and such colorful and retro prints. Of course, I bought all 169 of those! I also got a set of gorgeous hand stitched blocks that I plan to finish into a quilt. Thanks Mrs. Mary, I absolutely love every single piece.

I'm an extremely lucky woman to have such a supportive husband who indulges and encourages my fabric addiction. He always says “Go for it” when I tell him about a fabric sale, new die or handy sewing gadget. Of course, I do the same when he finds electronic gear, radios, or tools.  I love that man to pieces!

Keys To Imagination

Keys To Imagination

Another week, another quilt! This beauty is a medallion quilt made with the Morning Star die, one of my Christmas gifts. I love that the block can look completely different depending on color choices and placement.

Keys To Imagination seemed a fitting name for this design. I worked it out in EQ8 software before cutting.  Lots of pieces in this project, so I kept a color printout by my Janome while I sewed to keep everything in order.

Fabric in my favorite purple and lilac hues contrasts perfectly with the sweet print, stripe, and creamy tan.

This 36” square is hanging in my sewing room. I quilted with light tan thread around the curvy areas, then added straight lines both ways across each block center.

Accuquilt dies used:
55556 Morning Star 12”
55017 Strip 2 ½”

Estate Sale Update: It took two days to measure and inventory my unbelievable $80 acquisition from last week. A total of 161 pieces of fabric added 333 yards to my ever-growing stash. I now have over 1400 yards of quilting cotton. 

Yes, I am an addict. And, before you ask, my sweet husband is an enabler. He knows the total, and still always encourages me to grab up these bargains.  I'm a lucky woman and I love him dearly.  

Clean Sweep

Clean Sweep

Using scraps in a quilt is so satisfying to me. I like to call them bonus quilts.

This one started with my practice block of the Chimney Sweep die. I liked it so much that I built the design around it, using EQ8 for layout. I chose a few jelly roll strips and cut other fabric from my remnant basket. Quick and easy to sew!

The clean look of bright colors floating on crisp white is just so pretty. White sashing gives a bit of space between the blocks. Clean Sweep is 50” square. I quilted diagonally across the blocks with white thread, using a multi-stitch wide zigzag. It's perfect for snuggling up with a book on a rainy day.

Accuquilt dies used:
55222 Chimney Sweep
55017 Strip 2 ½”

Side note: I bought yet another huge pile of fabric at a quilter's estate sale, thanks to a tip from my friend Pam and her daughter Tiffany. I'm still counting and organizing, trying to find space to merge it all into my sewing room. More later...

Southern Charm

This year I intend to use more of my very large fabric stash. As I did my annual inventory, I validated the fact that I am seriously addicted to pretty material. I knew there was a lot since I needed a larger binder for my index cards.

Apparently I don't use as much as I buy. I'm running out of storage space. So, I earmarked some pieces to sell, several to donate to my local thrift shop, and more for my next few projects.

Southern Charm

Today's quilt is one of those. Nine-patch and snowball 6” blocks combine for a bright, happy little 42” x 48” quilt. I chose a red apple print for center and half squares, backing and binding; solid tan for snowball centers. I shopped my scrap boxes for coordinating colors.

Southern Charm is quilted with a walking foot, using light red thread in a diagonal crosshatch pattern. I think it has a vintage look. I used roughly 4 ½ yards of fabric, now just 705 yards to go before I run out. Not likely to happen!

Accuquilt dies used:

6” Snowball 55330

2 ½” square multiple 55059

With the amount of fabric I own, 

I should be ashamed of myself.  

Let's be clear, I'm not!  

But I should be. 

~author unknown 

Naptime

Naptime

I just finished this adorable little quilt for a friend's new baby boy. Blue and white gingham, dot, and star fabrics surround fluffy cloud fabric centers. 

Sweet dreams, little man!

I alternated Sawtooth Star and Puss in the Corner blocks, then added a 3” border. Naptime finished at 42” square. Backing is a larger gingham check. I quilted with white thread in a straight stitch, one inch apart.

As usual, I designed in EQ8 and cut with AccuQuilt dies. These wonderful sewing tools make creating quilts a delight. I often get carried away and lose track of time. The other day my darling husband cooked dinner so that I could finish up a project. He's a keeper!

Accuquilt dies used:

6 ½” square 55000

3 ½” x 6 ½” rectangle 55005

3 ½” square 55006

3 ½” half square triangle 55009

3 ½” x 6 ½” flying geese 55456

Sparkling Jewels

I am having so much fun adapting vintage quilt blocks to Accuquilt dies! Today's design, Sparkling Jewels, is from Progressive Farmer Magazine. Granny Rose probably clipped it in the 1950's but the design has been seen since the 1930's. You could order the pattern for 15 cents. 

I used these dies: Kite, 2 ½” square, and 2 ½” half square triangle. I added the HST to the wide end of the kite and cut extra sides to make the border pieces. It makes a 12" block. Using EQ8 allows me to set the block sizes, edit and draw cutting lines, and experiment with color choices.

My test block was good, so I added a border and made a quilted cover for my sewing room desk chair. I'll add more contrast for the kite sides next time. A larger Sparkling Jewels quilt is on my ever growing project list.

I recently bought BlockBase software, adding 4400 blocks to my EQ library. BlockBase gives alternate block names and publishing dates. I will never run out of options now! I'm designing much faster than I can sew.  

I get so caught up that I have to set alarms to remind me to eat and get in my daily walk.  

The ultimate dream in life 

is to be able to do what you love 

and learn something from it.

++++

If you are not doing what you love,

you are wasting your time. 

~Billy Joel

Sassy Baby

Baby quilts are fun, quick and so cute! When I got my new Accuquilt Winding Ways die for Christmas, I just had to try it right away. To the scrap bin I went for contrasting fabrics to showcase the design.

Sassy Baby features pink, lime and cream prints and solids. These curves would have taken forever to cut out with scissors, but I was done in no time at all. The curved seams match precisely, creating lovely flowers and circles. The backing is a pink herringbone. I outline quilted with bright pink thread. Final size is 32” square.

Sassy Baby

I was quilting another project on the Flynn Frame yesterday afternoon. Turned away for a moment and Callie cat made herself right at home in the middle of my work. Does she think this is a kitty hammock or what?  😼  😸  😻

                    

Carnival Dash

Bright white and cheerful print fabrics make up today's quilt. Carnival Dash is 53” square, perfect for snuggling or a summer picnic. I used pieces from last year's yard sale finds with some favorites from my collection, all cut with my Accuquilt churn dash die. Colors were chosen to coordinate with carnival stripes used in the mitered border and for the backing.

The gray plus sign print sashing frames the blocks, making them stand out beautifully. Scalloped quilting was stitched 2” apart with creamy white thread.

I never get tired of designing and sewing quilts. I do have to take time out for basic housework, cooking, laundry, and yard maintenance. You know, those chores that we all have to take care of. But I work on them in between quilting projects.  Who's going to notice a little dust or a few weeds? Important things first!

I feel like I should clean the house,

so I'm going to my sewing room

to play

until the feeling passes

Sea Cross

Last month, I gave a hint about today's quilt. 

Sea Cross

Sea Cross is made from the same fabrics as Poolside, and I don't know which one I like better. What a fabulous color combination! This one is made with Accuquilt's churn dash block, but the fabrics are arranged to focus on the center cross.

This smaller 39” square quilt is made up of nine blocks in navy and pool green prints, separated by white 2” strips. It's framed with a border using 2” x 4” patches. The backing features the same aqua chevron fabric and quilting was stitched in white with a triple swirl pattern.

That's what I love about quilt design: the same block can look totally different once you change color and pattern. Now you know why I make so many quilts!

Addicted to fabric? Me?

Glad there's no 12 step program for that.

Wine Cellar

Wine Cellar

Strip quilts are fast and easy, but still allow for creativity. Wine Cellar brings to mind sweet sangria and crisp, bubbly spumante. 

Coordinating wine and burgundy 2 1/2” strips are sewn alternately with a subtle cream print, then trimmed into 8” diagonal squares. The same cream Sedona print is used for sashing and backing. Quilting is simply stitched in 1 1/2” parallel rows. The tranquil 43” square would make a nice wall quilt.

I had a bonus week since we came home early from camping. After unloading and cleaning the camper, I spent most of my time sewing, designing, and reading. (Who would have guessed?) I would sew all day every day if I didn't have to eat and keep the house clean. And I've found that I can't drink wine while sewing.  Too many crooked seams.  I'm thankful that my sweetie has hobbies too, so he understands my addiction to fabric. 

 

Two Quick Designs

I have been stitching like the wind and need to catch up, so I
have two quilts for you today.  These mini  projects go quickly and are so much fun to design.

Lakeside Oasis

 

Lakeside Oasis consists of strips and squares in cool, peaceful colors.  Green, aqua, navy, and grey strips are joined randomly, then cut into squares and sewn on point with light grey batik.  I stitched with grey thread in a wave pattern.  This relaxing and pretty 31" square is currently on the wall in my bedroom.

Tea Time

A cute table mat of diagonally placed wide strips is neutral cream and tan with a touch of aqua.  They are stitched together and cut diagonally, then flipped around to form a 24" square.  Tea Time was inspired by the binding and backing fabric of alphabet letters and teacups. 

Speaking of inspiration, I have had plenty lately.  These two were done back in July and early August.  Since then I have finished five others and designed so many that I can't sew fast enough.  

Gotta use all this pretty fabric, so I can buy more!!  


NEVER, NEVER ENOUGH FABRIC 
 

Fine Stitching

Oh how I love my new Janome! She has a quiet purr as she stitches along, even at the racy speeds that I sew. She's a time saver, too, because the presser foot automatically comes down when I press on the accelerator. All I need to do is align the fabric and go.

Of course, I've already completed several projects since I brought her home. These pillows for our living room went quickly since I already had them cut. I designed a dark red table mat and coaster set to showcase some of the beautiful stitching. 

 

Even with the mass quantities of fabric and thread I already own, my Black Friday online shopping cart was filled with more. I mean, how could I resist 75% off quilting thread, 60% off fabric pre-cuts, and free shipping? And I wouldn't want to run out...

Money can't buy happiness,

but it can buy sewing supplies.

And that's pretty close.

Still Sewing...

 
There's too many ideas,
too many stitches,  
too much fabric,
(did I really say that?)
and not enough time!  

 

A New Machine!

Oh my goodness, what an amazing weekend. On Saturday, I bought myself a Janome Horizon Memory Craft 9400 sewing/quilting machine. I've only just come up for air this morning, and my feet haven't touched the ground yet. Well, except to hold the pedal to the floor and zoom zoom. She's a sleek fast one, with plenty of bright lighting and a huge work space.  

I've always had Singer machines, so this is the first brand change for me. I've been comparing different models, but once I test drove this one, it had to be mine. And it was on sale. Cha-ching! I still have my Singer XL1000 for embroidery, although she's feeling a bit neglected at the moment. 

 

Between learning the fabulous features and playing with the gorgeous stitches, I rearranged the tables and cleaned up my sewing space. Then I finished a table mat and some coasters. I practically ignored Jerold and the cat, poor dears had to fend for themselves.

I'll give a more complete review later, but for now I just have to get back to the sewing room.

Happily Sewing

Saturday was National Sewing Day, so I made a weekend of it.  Music, iced tea, and a stack of cool, pretty fabric. I fiddled with several designs to come up with a cute triangle wall hanging and some pillows for the living room.

 

It was very relaxing until I tried to filet my little finger with the rotary cutter. Oh well, just slap on a band-aid and carry on.  No need to worry about a little blood because I didn't get any on the fabric.

Fabric is so addictive 

that it should be 

a controlled substance

...but I'm sure glad it's not.