Christmas Makes

Hello

I have been making some Xmas pressies and reckoned it would be safe to give a sneak preview.

First is a commission for some pot holders for my friend's daughter.

Then a couple of heart tree decorations for our new neighbours, put some homegrown lavender inside.  Jill likes all things heart shaped.

A bag for ?????

For my lovely customer Don, I baked some biscuits.

Finally, had a go at a tree decorations for our home.

Well, I hope you all have a wonderful, peaceful Christmas.

Take care

Sharon x

Industrial Sewing Machine

Hello

Last winter I rode out for a local business woman, it was great riding such super horses and get paid for it.   Didn't have time this October to do it which was a shame but I got a call from her last week.  She runs a horse  rug repair and cleaning service, would it be possible for me to go up and repair rugs using a Seiko industrial sewing machine?  Her machinist was on holiday and they had a back log of repairs to do.

I once worked for an interior designer making very posh curtains for a while and used industrial machines but it was years ago.

So got on my push bike and went up to the farm.   Ann the owner, had tried using the machine set on its slowest setting and it had scared the daylights out of her.  Gosh they don't half shift, I had forgotten how fast they go.  Its a wonderful machine, complete with walking foot, it goes through many layers of very tough fabric and wadding.

There is more to repairing rugs than I thought but I got the hang of it.  The down side of using this machine is that my beloved Singer 201 seems extremely slow and very wimpy now!  On Ebay a lot of  domestic machines described as "industrial" or "semi industrial" they are not, no where near.

One of the last rug repair I did was sewing thick nylon webbing straps on to hold D rings.  The first one was on layers of (from the bottom of the rug) nylon lining, wadding, thick tough waterproof outer layer, 2 layers of strapping, the machine sailed through it.  Then it came to the second D ring strap, sewn directly on top of the first webbing so it was 4 layers of webbing on the rug.  I didn't believe it could go through that without snapping the needle so started on the top with the needle in the down position, it sewed straight away without a hitch so went off the webbing.  Then did the another row of stitching starting on the rug up and over the 4 layers of webbing and off the other side.

Unbelievable.  Sorry forgot to take my camera with me, if I get the call again, will take a photo.


Sharon x

Singer Sewing Machine Accessories

Hello

When I bought my Singer Featherweight I didn't realise that it would start a small collection of all things Singer!  Ebay has a lot to answer for!

I have posted about my Singer Oil Cans collection but there is a host of other things to collect as well.


Singer needle threaders, there are six different designs, I've got three of them.

Singer scissors, only got a couple of these, I am sure that there are more styles and sizes out there.

Singer Tape Measure, got this by accident, didn't even know they did tape measures

Then screw drivers, you only need a small and large one to assist with the maintenance of your machines but its surprising how many different styles there are.  Not sure it the little double ended black one is a Singer one, its not marked so probably not but its a great little thing, ideal for tightening the screws on my glasses.  There are a pair of tweezers with the Singer logo on but haven't been able to get my hands on them yet!

Lint brushes, these are essential if you want to keep your Singer in good condition, its amazing how much lint gathers in the feed dogs.  If you are storing your /Singer its a good idea to dip your brush into Singer Oil and brush over all the moving parts of the machine, this will stop any rust forming, it only needs a light covering don't have it dripping all over.

Then there are the boxes to keep the extra attachments in.

The ones below are the more modern ones.

Hope you have enjoyed the tour of part of my Singer world!  Think I need to get out more, its becoming an obsession!

Cheers

Sharon

Homemade Gift Tags with Kraft Text Paper

Hello

Back in September the lovely Josie over SewforSoul introduced Kraft-tex paper and made a super zipper bag (SewforSoul)

For those who have never seen this great product its same as the stuff that jeans labels are made off.  It cuts and sews like fabric, you can wash it and it looks like leather.  Quite like the idea of it so sent for some off Ebay.  It comes in a few different colours so I got the tan.

You are able to print and stamp on it so got the idea for a luggage label for my mini suitcase.  Which set me off making gift tags using some scrap fabric.

Took a template off a cardboard tag and cut them out of the Kraft Tex paper making sure that I marked where the hole for the string went.  Cut the fabric out slightly larger and used a glue pen to stick it down (opp side from the mark for the hole) and then used the 201 to sew as close to the edge with a contrasting cotton.  Then trimmed off the excess fabric using a sharp pair of scissors.  Punched the hole with a hole punch which went through the Kraft Tex easily but not the fabric so had to carefully trim the fabric away from the hole with scissors.  To finish this off used a eyelet.

On the back, I used rubber stamps with an ordinary ink pad.  Added lengths of string.

Got carried away as usual!

Cheers

Sharon

Singer Imitation Hemstitching Attachment No. 120687

Hello

Been having a play with my new Singer Attachment on the 201 today instead of gardening (pouring rain and gales have grounded me!).

I have quite a collection of Singer attachments and accessories, its getting a bit of compulsion looking on Ebay!  Ooops

Got this curious looking thing

Luckily, it had its instructions with it.  Would never have worked out how to use it without them.

Fits on side ways which looks odd. Put one piece of fabric underneath and the top fabric over the front bit and under the back bit, you would put the top fabric right side up but it shows up better this way.  The instructions say to slacken off the top tension a bit.

Then proceed to sew after first checking the needle goes through the hole OK before you put the material in.

Once sewn, carefully remove from the machine, don't pull at the threads in the material.

Fold the upper piece of material on itself along the line of the stitch do the same with the lower fabric. Then gently pull the two piece away from each other.  The threads in the middle look like a ladder.

Stitch down both sides as near to the fold as you can.

 You can also do a picot edging with this attachment but ran out of time to have a go.

Not sure what I will use this for, originally it will have been used to make napkins, tea tray covers and perhaps, fancy stitching in dressmaking.  It was fun to have a go with it.

Before playing nicely, I made a Christmas pressy.  

Take care everyone, be safe.  

Sharon

x

Vintage Mini Suitcase Makeover

Hello

Bought this cute little case at the Pickering War Weekend.  Wanted it to store my sewing projects in for when I sew on the move.

The lining paper was looking a bit tatty soooo

Got my Liberty fabric out and updated the inside.   Love it.

Covered a slim box with the same fabric and made an envelope style pocket to keep my vintage Singer scissors and tape measure in.

It was sold to me as an Evacuee case (not sure that it is) so made it a matching luggage label so it looked the part.

Can't wait to use it on Tuesday when I go to Sewing Circle.

Take care
Sharon

Wonderful Workshop - Textile Illustration Mark II

Hello

Went to another one of Sarah's Drawn Threads Workshops the other Saturday with my sister.  It was great to dedicate a whole day to sewing.  We both took our Singer Featherweights.

I decided to make a garden picture so had a look through my many gardening books for ideas.  My starting point was some fabric that looked like York paving and a lovely rose print.

Got the inspiration from this photo

Ended up with this.

It looks better from a distance but below is a close up so that you can see how I did it.  The clouds are made of pure un-spun wool scrounged from Becky the Weaver, tucked under a fine fabric. Thanks Becky.

My sister did an cute owl but he is still under construction.

We had a lovely day with Sarah, she made us very welcome.

Cheers
Sharon