My Fair Lady

Off and on I’ve been searching for a Singer Featherweight.  I’m in no rush, I know they can be very pricey so I periodically look on ebay, Craig’s list, estate sales, antique stores, etc.  While searching Craig’s List I found this vintage White Sewing machine.  At a glance, I didn’t know how old it was or anything about it – but knew I had to have it.  Does it not scream Mad Men?  From the moment it seen it, I had visions of me sitting at this machine with my hair in an up-do, wearing a pencil skirt complete with peep toe stiletto’s (reality: flannel pants and Birkenstocks, but this is my dream).  The owner wanted $25, said she hadn’t used it in over 20 years but (as far as she knew) it ran fine.   I pick a time when my hubby can go with me, but the owner calls me shortly before I’m schedule to go look at it and says she can’t get the machine to run properly and if I still want it, I can have it – no charge.   No charge!  As soon as I can get my hair in the proverbial up-do, I’m out the door!  With some cleaning, oiling and tweaking, she’s purring like a kitten.  The straight stitch presser foot is missing (ordered one online) – Since I’m finding it difficult to get a consistent ¼ inch seam allowance, I’ve picked a paper piecing project to start.

The picture isn't as clear as I had hoped - there's not a scratch or imperfection on this machine. Even though the seller didn't feel right charging for what she thought was a broke machine, I gave her a $20 bill for it.  

 

About the only information I could find about this vintage White, it debuted at the World Fair in 1963-64ish  (New York I believe) and was coined “My Fair Lady”.  Must be something to it, as I’ve read this on several vintage sewing machine blogs.  Sounds good to me, My Fair Lady it is.

This will be me after some sewing time on My Fair Lady - complete with pearls and apron.  The house tidy and dinner on the table when my man gets home from work....ha!  Make this vintage nightmare stop! 

Can you say Slow-A-Long?

Why isn’t there enough time in the day?  Better yet, when I’m at work, why do some of the days seem to drag on and on?  Then once home, I no more get my fabric cut and it’s time for bed.    Randy has posted new blocks for the Sow-A-Long and I haven’t caught up with the previous postings.  Darn good thing this isn’t a race….another set of 6 pictured, but I'm still 4 or 5 behind.

Carolina Crossroads.....Finished!

A while back....ok, several years ago (2008 to be exact) I started a Mystery on Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville yahoo group.  A little more than half way through the Mystery, I moved.  Knowing my new location was just temporary, I packed up the sewing room into large plastic totes.  Well, temporary turned into a couple of years.  I couldn't locate my brown and pink fabric in the multitude of plastic totes, so I started the Orange Crush Mystery (yet another unfinished project - but that's another story).  About a year ago while organizing my new sewing room, I found the long-lost-not-quite-finished Carolina Crossroads.   A few weeks ago I added the border and now it's ready for a visit to the quilter's. 

The pink border seems too dark, but I think once quilted it'll look better (I hope...)

My Sow-A-Long is in full half swing...  The plan was to catch-up with Randy's Sow-A-Long over the weekend.  After last Wednesday's post, I was about 8 blocks behind.  But the temptation of hanging out with my kids and grandkids on Saturday and part of Sunday led me astray.  No way can I turn down "hang out" time with my little chickens!  Once home, I was able to complete a few more for another set of 6. 

For this quilt, I'm using Civil War Era reproduction fabrics.  Thought it was time to lay out the blocks and see if I'm heavier in one color than others.  Sometimes I'll find a fabric I really like and go overboard using it. 

Reap what you Sow....?

Let's hope that's not the case.....as I'm sow-ing along at a snail's pace.   Adding these 6 blocks, that only gives me a total of 12 complete.  I'm trying to keep up with Randy's Sow-A-Long , but I'm still 6 or 7 behind and she's just posted another 4 blocks.  I don't even want to talk about the bonus blocks...... 

The Vintage Dish...

I have a weakness for Vintage linens, quilts and embroidered items.  I have oodles of hankies and table clothes, but just a few quilts.  When visiting Henry’s Tea Room and Antiques, I picked up this basket quilt with red trim.  It’s thread bare in a few spots and a little rough on the top border –  I’ll hide the wear and tear areas and display for awhile, then maybe make some throw pillows or use for smaller projects from the quilt.

So….I thought I got a pretty good deal on the vintage basket quilt…..until….a few days later, Dora shows up at work with this quilt.  She’d stopped at an Estate Sale and was able to snag this quilt for a couple of bucks!  A measly $2!  And then said, I could have it!   It’s thread bare in a few spots, but ooh so cute and will make really cute pillows, pin cushions or some adorable thing.  Thanks for thinking of me Dora!! 

I want to share this quilt because it is my most prized possession.  My grandma made me this quilt for me during my senior year of high school.   With umpteen cousins (and being one of the younger cousins/grandchildren) I was so very happy when it was my turn to receive a quilt.  As long as I could remember, between farming and cooking (and she was a fabulous cook!), she’d work on embroidered blocks.  All of my grandmother’s quilts were hand embroidered, blocks were pieced together on her Singer treadle machine, then hand quilted with templates made from cereal boxes! 

Can you see the quilted center flower?  It's present in almost all of her quilts!!   

Barrister’s Block Sow –A – Long

For no other reason, I’m participating in this Sow – A – Long for the name alone!  Sounds like we're headin' to the farm for a pig race!  Well, that’s only part of the reason.  I’ve wanted to make a Farmer’s Wife quilt for quite some time.   Randy from Barrister’s Blocks walked through directions for each of the blocks from the Farmer's Wife book and posted to her Blog.  However, the author of the original FW book notified her, and said this is a big no-no.  Bummer, as I was just about to order the book to follow along (won’t be doing that now!).  Randy changed-up how she would post the blocks every other Wednesday and now we’re back to creating our own version of the Farmer’s Wife.  With new direction, I suppose I should think of a new quilt name.  Who knew quilting could be so scandalous…..the juicy details.  

My first 6 blocks of Sow-A-Long