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

You're Not Going to Believe This: Another Singer Sewing Machine

Evidently, I collect sewing machines.

No, not on purpose.

They are like strays.

They just show up at my doorstep,

and I can't let them go unloved.

Meet Jane (as in Jetson.)

She is a 1961 Singer Rocketeer.

Sounds like a do-op group doesn't it?

I cleaned her up and

she stitches like a dream.

Unfortunately,

she doesn't have her attachments with her.

(Her luggage must have been lost on the flight over.)

She reminds me of the cars from that era-

with the fender for the light.

And check out under the hood. 

The spool holder for the top is to the left 

of the two that are spring loaded 

and pop up when the lid is opened.  

To the right is where the attachment discs are inserted 

for those snazzy stitches.

Unfortunately (somewhat) this is another cabinet machine.

That makes three cabinet machines

plus the treadle!

I won't share how many cased machines

are living here.

I am running out of room.

I think this weekend, 

I will get them all out and

try to figure out which ones can stay

and which ones I need to find homes for.

In the past,

I have sold them to 4H-ers

for $10-$20 depending upon

how much I had into them.

They are great for beginners.

They are inexpensive, and

there aren't a bunch of plastic parts

that can break easily.

I wonder if there is an adoption agency for these???

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches.

My Newest Old Toy

I'm such a kid sometimes!

I'd like to introduce you to my latest toy.

I purchased it at a yard sale weekend before last 

and am just now getting to it.

When I asked if it worked,

the lady said,

"Yeah, but I think it needs a needle or something."

I said, "But the motor runs right?"

She assured me it did.

And indeed it does & yes, it does need a needle:)

She must have just used it for a display.

It has that great salmon colored case.

I am just enough of a nut,

that all my machines run.

What use are they if they don't?

Because I have a use for all ?11? of them you know.

I can't help it~ they just find me.

This one has an on/off button - black.

Then to run it, there is the little slide lever.

It is in dire need of cleaning, which

I'm hoping to get to today.

And maybe even add a needle:?)

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Easy Peasy Gift Idea

I have made these for years.  This set is for my aunt from my mom & somehow I am the one sewing:)  Did you know that the average American uses 7 trees worth of paper napkins each year?  That's just napkins not counting all the other paper 'stuff' we use.  I am not a freak, but I do like to do my part in trying to produce less garbage and do what I can to help the environment.  The shopping bags are a blast, buuuuut something else that is just as much fun is a set of cloth napkins.  I have a set for every holiday as well as a couple of extra sets just because.  I seldom use paper towels or napkins.  It's great, I don't run out & I get to play with fabric.  I will work backwards here to show you how.

First, decide how big you want your napkins.  For my everyday napkins, I make them about 15 inches square.  That makes it easy as far as figuring - you can get three from about 15 inches of fabric.  The width of fabric varies a little so I just measure and divide by three.  Depending upon the fabric, sometimes they are only 14.5 inches square.  That's fine too.  More formal napkins are usually a little larger - maybe 18-20 inches square.  At that measurement, you get 4 out of a yard to yard and a quarter of fabric with a strip left over to put in a table runner - see a bonus either way.

Once you have decided and have your fabric cut into squares, it is time to sew.  I have a rolled-hem foot for my old machine (okay, I hear you - one of my old machines.)  This makes it easy.  I just continue one right after the other then snip them apart and move on to side two.  You do want your finished edge to be at the bottom of your sewing edge as you work.  The unfinished edge is easier to feed into the foot.  When you get to the last side, you have to make a little rolled hem and place it under the foot to get it started - at least for this very small one.  Some of the rolled-hem feet make a little larger hem, and they seem to be a little easier to feed.  If you don't have the presser foot, you can just make a small rolled hem as you would on most sewing projects.  I have made hundreds of these, so I love my foot!  Now that's something you don't hear every day.

I like to frey check the corners when I am finished just for good measure, but that is entirely optional. 

I don't quite have this set finished yet - I'm getting there, but it is really cute fabric so I am enjoying it.  Just think, another excuse reason that is to buy fabric (and help save a tree too.)  Have a beautiful day.

As always, Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches.

My "Newest" Singer

  I just have to show you my latest little Singer sewing machine.  I don't know if sewing machines 'find' anybody else, but they just seem to be drawn to me (as opposed to the other way around:) 

My pictures are a little off today - please excuse.

Well, this sweet little gem came to me pretty dirty.  It is the size of a featherweight and in the cabinet.  The handles on the cabinet are not original, but it is in overall good shape.  Rather than the foot pedal or treadle, it has the knee pedal - which I admit, this is the first one I have that way.  In case you didn't know, you can go on the singer website here and follow the prompts to date your machine.  They will even print out a certificate with your name and the serial number of your machine on it.  This one was made in 1910.  Now, I need to do this with a couple others.

I just have to show you a couple of the before shots - you know before the half of container of q-tips and alcohol and soap and water etc.

Yes, I know the hammer is down in the photo - I was working with the tension; the tension plates were stuck shut!  After I cleaned it, the stitches were perfect!  I can't wait to actually make something with it.  If you have a Singer, I would love to know what you are stitching on.