A "New" Hand Crank Sewing Machine

I would like to introduce you to Sweet Nell.

She is a Frister & Rossmann hand crank sewing machine 

manufactured in Germany in 1905.

There is quite the history lesson behind her.

You will find no badge or makers symbol.

She has beautiful Egyptian decals

even though some of them have seen better days.

She stitches like a dream.

So the story goes,

as stated above she was manufactured in Germany in 1905.

She then took a little trip to a distributor in London, England.

At some point between when she was manufactured

and the time she was sold in England,

there began a war (WWI)

at which time her badge was removed.

No decent Englishman was going to buy a product

that was made in Germany.

This made tracking down her history a little more challenging.

Once I figured out what brand she was,

it all kinda fell together.
A backwards F and forward R within the scroll-work.

I got her last weekend at an estate sale.

I now wish I could ask the owner (now deceased)

where she got it.

Was it from her family?

Did she pick it up at a tag sale or second hand shop?

She had 8? machines there.

This machine was made in Germany,

sold in England,

and somehow through travels that span 109 years and

will forever more remain a secret,

now resides at her new home in Oregon, USA.

This is just one of the reasons I love old relics.

I can hardly wait to stitch something other than scraps with her.

Until Next Time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Really I'm Stitching

Cathedral Window Progress

Just thought I would let you know

I really have been stitching when I can.

I seem to have 2 or 3 hand stitching projects

all going at the same time.

Also, I still have issues showing incomplete work.

I first mentioned it here.

So 396 squares later, I am stitching.

I stitch 4 squares together,

then add the windows.

Next, I will put 2 of the 4-square blocks together,

and add 2 more windows where they join.

I have 14 of 99 4-squares done.

Only 85 more to go:)

Does no-one else question my sanity?

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches 

Oh Happy Me - WIP

Night before last, I returned home after working, and it was there.  It was the package I had been waiting for.  For two long weeks, I waited and waited anxiously checking the mailbox each day.  And what was I waiting for?

Aren't they pretty?  14 new colors.  I have about a dozen colors and got started using this #8 pearl cotton so wanted to remain consistent.  

Now you will either laugh at me or cry with me.  I love living in a rural community, but trying to find certain things such as pearl cotton is a bit challenging.  The closest pearl cotton is an hour away and only a few basic colors.  It is at times like these that I value the internet.

And to show you what I am using it on...

These are all works in progress so please excuse my markings and a few of the stitches that require more than one color are incomplete.

This will be a long term project as I don't get to work on it a lot.  None of these blocks are finished as I was waiting for more colors.  Now I can finish up a block at a time which is more like me.

I'm not quite sure how it happened that I have two hand stitching long term projects going at the same time.  Baaad me, shame on me.  Oh well, I won't be board - will always have something to work on.

The other long term project in my Cathedral Window quilt which if you are keeping track (as I'm sure you are:) I only have 54 more blocks to iron.

Keep warm and until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches