Just finished this great book by Jennifer Chiaverini!

Well... this is the first of Jennifer Chiaverini's quilt novels I have read. I am hooked for sure! I almost read the whole book in two readings! I just could not lay it down. I love it when a book makes me do that...

The main character of this book will touch your heart, you just feel how she really loves her quilts.  Jennifer makes the words just come alive and will transport you back in time very quickly.  There is a lot of movement in this book but its very well written and fast paced. I highly recommend this book to all quilters! "THE SUGAR CAMP QUILT"

Vintage Sewing Machine Manuals

I have quite a few old vintage sewing machine manuals on pdf files, mostly Singer. If you need a particular one let me know, I can share! :-]

determination...

Our little gal is really determined when it comes to finishing an item and creating new things to sew. She and her machine "Mable" are both small but fiesty!  We have to slow them down sometimes because they start out tick tick tick and wind up sewing lickity split!

Her finished product of the day!

THREADING A SINGER 15 OR 15 CLONE

For my friend Billy...

the picture below is how it should thread when the machine is sitting in the sewing position in front of you.

This is how it should thread on the end where the face plate is.

What to make.... what to make... that is the question..!

Jami has her wheels turning this summer and thinking of all kinds of neat things to make. She has her little 99 "pit bull" tuned up and ready for anything!

then there is that Riley Girl... so creative with her sewing. She usually always has a smile on her face when she's at her old Singer 66!

Now it's getting crunch time, time to get at least 5 baby quilts done for the Women's Care Center before the return of school days in August!  Thread em up girls and crank em out!

My Niece's Quilts

My niece Mary is quite a quilter! She has a real talent when it comes to quilting. She lives in Birmingham, Alabama.  She teaches gifted children and using quilting as one of her tools.  I know she makes them for charity as well.  These two quilts are being held up by Mary, my niece on the left and Mary, my sister on the right.  JUST HAD TO SHOW THEM OFF!

Summer Is Really In The Swing Now!

Getting hotter here in Corn Country!  Lucky my sewing room is in my nice cool basement, almost too cool when the ac is on.  Hoping to sew some this afternoon. Added more fabric to my stash yesterday, I am so bad...

Worse yet we took in four more sewing machines last night from a local auction. They are out in the garage.  Hope to get to them next week when dear hubby is on vacation. We hope to catch up to all the refurb work that has been mounting in the machine room. You will definitely want to keep an eye on paul-mart on eBay (we have a button for him on this page) if you are looking for a vintage machine or sewing items.  We have quite a few needle cases that are real collector items that will be going up soon as soon as I can get the photos done.

Granddaughters are busy with this and that. Our Riley has really been getting into crocheting lately. She has made some ipod bags that really rock. We will be featuring them here soon. Jami and Elizabeth along with Riley are all working on their first applique baby quilts.  Jami is also making herself a dress and Elizabeth is making a fancy bag for herself.  Me, well... we won't talk about all the projects I have going! Not now anyway!

You all have a great 4th of July! It's my daughter in law's birthday and then mine the next day. We are heading to her Mom and Dad's lake cottage for the holiday.  I have to remember to count my points! (I am a WW gal)

                                                  HAPPY BLOGGING!

A Singer 99 is a Singer 66 in a 3/4 size...

Our youngest Grandaughter was a micro preemie. She is still just a little wisp of a girl but big when it comes to the creative processes. She uses a 99 that we gave her for Christmas. Hers is a 1950 ish version with back tacking.  Its just right for her smaller hands. We were very lucky and found one already in a nice cabinet.  Again this machine will tick tick tick along or sew like the wind. We call the 99's the little Pit Bulls of the sewing world. They won't slide off into your lap thats for sure!

One great thing about the 99 is that the attachments are easy to find and again, its so simple to thread and perfect for a little micro preemie!

Threading a Singer 66

The most common Singer I run across is the 66, from treadle to case to cabinet.  I think when they were new they were cheaper than the 15's...   But let me tell you they can be a work horse.  Not only do I piece quilts on mine but use for all my utility sewing. The best thing I like about her is the ability to go tick tick tick... she will sew just as slow as can be which is great when teaching a child how to sew. It will let them sew as slow as needed till they master the machine a bit more. 

I especially love mine because not only does it sound like a rain stick when running but the cabinet it's in is just great, it has a built in pedal, makes me feel like I am playing an organ instead of running a sewing machine. 

Another great thing is how darn easy they are to thread!

My Singer 15-91

I bought this machine off of eBay from another seller I know in a town close to where we live. When I bought it I did not know it was a 15-91 and when I found out I was so excited! And it looked good too. I had read on the yahoo groups that it was a great machine and they were selling pretty good too.

I thought I would try free motion quilting on it and well I LOVED IT! I don't even use a foot to do it. I tried one though and it just did not like it.  It takes a strong set of hands but I can quilt a baby quilt in no time with this machine. Nothing fancy just meandering but I love the way it turns out once the quilt is washed.  Here is a picture of it quilting a gift I was making for my great niece.

                                           Gwen

The First Post

Well I suppose I should be the first to post but you all don't be shy, I would love to hear about your machines and your projects and so would everyone else.  Remember we are not experts here and we can learn from one another. 

I hope to really get this blog off to a good start so go ahead and help me out!

This is a picture of my sewing room. Tell me about yours!

                                                                        Gwen, The Vintage Seamstress