Singer

It might have taken me over a week but I've finally summoned up the motivation to share the new addition to our sewing machine family! We found this beauty in one of local charity shops and there was no way we were leaving without her!

A slightly scuffed case but it hides a beauty! A Singer 201K hand-crank sewing machine with a couple of tiny scratches in the base plate but she is pristine other than that. A quick google of the identification number revealed that she hails from 1951.

This view from above shows the electric light that is fixed to the machine at the back. I haven't been brave enough to plug the light in to one of our lamps yet...maybe one day.

Amazingly the accessories are all there in their box and virtually unused, complete with the instruction manuals and original Singer needles. We really hit the jackpot!

I couldn't resist threading her up and having a go. Zero adjustments and perfectly even stitches first go! Delighted doesn't come close to describing it.

The only down-side is that Jess loves her too and given the state of my sewing room there is no room for another machine so this beauty will be finding a home in Jess' room. In fairness I'm sure that Jess will use this machine frequently whereas I would just enjoy looking at her. Yvonne was slightly disappointed that this wasn't her birthday present but she did a good impression of being thrilled with the tote bag I made her instead ;)

The pattern for this simple tote will be in an Intrepid Thread newsletter soon. I'm off to write more patterns now so that I can get back on with the fun stuff and actual sewing! Catch you soon x

Two little boys

On Saturday I received a lovely fabric package from Julie at The Intrepid Thread. Amongst the goodies was this fabulous Peak Hour fabric. When I saw it on Julie's website I knew I had to get some as it would be perfect fabric fodder for some little boy quilts. The spots and print from this range are fabulous! I may need to get some more of the spots for binding :)

Julie also sent me some 5" strips of the range to play with and the fact that the fabric was pre-cut and ready to go got my creative juices flowing immediately. I mean seriously how cute is this?!!

 Thanks to the hideous bank holiday weather I have 2 new little boy quilts to show you. I managed to dodge the showers yesterday to get a shot of the first one on the washing line. It's about 40" square log-cabin. I used a fat quarter as the centre panel. I have to admit to loving this! I free-motion quilted with some variegated Aurifil thread. It's not my finest quilting but thankfully Mackinlay hasn't reached the age where he criticises things like that yet ;) 

 I backed with the leftover It's a Hoot yardage from his Dr Seuss quilt and a strip of the Peak Hour to make up the difference. It positively shines against the grotty sky.

 The second quilt I made is for another little boy who shall remain nameless at this point. I love how the basic strips of print look together. Sometimes less is definitely more!

 I quilted across the quilt in straight lines then did some free-motion vertical wavy lines. All in all another happy little quilt. This one finished up around 42" by 46" and is backed with the bottle caps print from Going Coastal.

Here's a close-up of the print for those of you who haven't seen it.

I don't think I've had this much productivity in one weekend in a long time. It's been great! It should rain more often ;) Catch you soon x