BEAUTIFUL SIGGY BLOCKS

A beautiful siggy from Konstanze in Germany 

and here is the beautiful siggy from Leonore also in Germany
I think this one will become a Pin Cushion as Leonore
has put my initial on it.

I still enjoy being in the International Siggy Swap and recently received these two lovely blocks.  Thank you Konstanze and Leonore, I love your siggies!  I think I will make some sewing machine covers with some of the siggy blocks I have received.  I have already made a wall hanging so now that I have so many sewing machines, I will make them some pretty dust covers.  I think that will be a lovely way to view the siggy blocks and will certainly be a talking point for visitors to my home.

Sewing time has been a bit hit and miss lately with our Summer hanging in so much longer than it usually does and the days just have not been conducive to sewing at all although a lovely cold change has arrived today!  I am continuing to work on the machine appliqué project - By Air, By Rail, By Sea.  I am using my Brother Innov-is 200 Quilters Edition for this project.  It does a very nice blanket stitch.

My newest addition to my Vintage Sewing Machine collection is the Singer 99K Hand Crank and I am making my Siggy Blocks on this machine so it gets some regular use.  I am really enjoying sewing on this machine - love being able to sew very slowly with the Hand Crank!  I think this machine will be great for fiddly top stitching and bag making.

Just yesterday I started a new project (click to go to Quilt-Along site)  on my Singer 201K Knee-Shift.  I gave it an Oil and clean and started making some Half Square Triangles on it yesterday afternoon.  I will be making a Table Topper - the Quilt-Along is called Scrap Dance Mystery Quilt Along and it's by "From My Carolina Home" - I have linked to the website above.  I found lots of suitable scraps in my scrap bag - all sewing related!  so this will be a Table Topper for one of my sewing tables.   I love sewing on this machine, it is so quiet and I can really control my speed with the knee-shift lever.  Note the new LED lightbulb!  Love it !  it is from April 1930s Sewing Shoppe.  If you have a Vintage Machine with the old incandescent light bulbs (ouch.... very hot!) you will love the new LED bulbs as they are so much brighter and stay cool.  April has them in both Warm and Bright White.  By giving this machine a project it keeps it oiled and cleaned and ensures some regular sewing time.  These old machines need to be used.

My Singer 201K Knee-Shift machine - a great little workhorse!
You will see I still have the manual pages beside me when I work
on my machines!

Here you can see how I am using the wide side of the normal Singer
sewing foot to sew my 1/4" seams down each side of the
drawn line.  Yes it's back to front sewing but it works like a charm!
I am chain stitching the HST's

My Hand Sewing project is coming along nicely.  I'm now up to the third border of boats.  As many of you know, I MUST have a hand sewing project at ALL times :-)   ...  need something to do when we go out for our daily coffee!

Today is a lovely cold and windy day - just finished some housework (boring but necessary) and about to head in to the sewing room to work on those Half Square Triangles.

Happy Sewing!

Cheers from Helen

SEVEN

Block # 7 that is!   Here is my A4A #7 block...

# 7  Aiming For Accuracy quilt-along

Batik # 7

We were given a much easier block this week !  still Quarter Square Triangles involved but now we pretty much have those down pat!  especially with our wonderful ruler!

All sewn on my Singer 201K but the first block (blue/brown) was pieced using the recently purchased 1/4" foot and the Batik block was sewn using the old Singer foot with the screw on seam guide.

I had a few issues with my points on the blue/brown block but the Batik block went together perfectly first time!  I think I prefer the old foot and guide as it seems to be much easier to keep the scant 1/4" seam straight and I can see what I'm doing much better.  

I was going to make these blocks last night but the machine was sewing a bit weird so I oiled her and cleaned out the shuttle area and then let her soak everything up overnight.  Today she was sewing like a dream!  These old machines require fairly frequent oiling, something I will have to remember!

I tried out the Coles Iron-Aid (not starch)  today - using it instead of Crisp - and I think I prefer it.  I sprayed the fabrics prior to cutting and then again when I was joining the units and then again at the end once the block was made.  My blocks did not finish up all stiff like they have been when I used Crisp.  I'll be adding a bottle of Best Press (like they use in the U.S.A.) to my Craft Show shopping list as I really want to try it.  It goes without saying that all of June Tailor's rulers will also be on that list :-)

Other sewing ....    I managed to get all of the rows together for the baby quilt I'm making, now adding the borders.  The Aussie Log Cabin has its first border on, just waiting on the last border.

Suddenly our Winter has disappeared and it feels like Summer!  quite hot today and same expected for tomorrow so Fred and I will head off down to the Gold Coast for a swim and a coffee:-)   and don't think there will be no sewing for me tomorrow....... I always take my embroidery bag with me everywhere!

Happy Sewing!!

Helen

FABRICS USED IN THIS BLOCK:-

BROWN CONTRAST FABRIC -  "MONOCHROMATIX" BY PATRICK LOSE FOR ROBERT KAUFMAN

ORANGE - RAINFOREST COLLECTION BY  CORAL TREE FABRICS "SUMMER RAIN"

YELLOW -   PEBBLES YELLOW, BROOK BY CP DESIGNS FOR STUDIOFABRICS.COM

BLUE/BROWN/MUSTARD SWIRL - NANCY MIMS FOR MODGREENPOD   ROBERT KAUFMAN

Note: I'm not listing the Batik fabrics as most are unknown  (been in the stash for a very long time)

AND THEN THERE WERE TWO.....

BATIK BLOCK # 4
USING THE NEW CONTRAST FABRIC

I have had an enjoyable day in the sewing room, only surfacing for cups of tea and some quick grocery shopping!  Today I decided to use the 1/4" foot that I purchased recently for the Singer 201K.  It has the little black guide on it which results in a true 1/4" seam but I needed a 'scant' seam allowance, so I figured it out and I was quite pleased with the results.

Plus I found a new way to square up the quarter square triangle blocks ....   my 'strip tube' ruler...

I found a great tutorial on how to do this.....   HERE    Julie used the Quilt In A Day’s Triangle Square-up Ruler  but I found the Strip Tube ruler did the same job.   The quarter square triangle blocks came out very well using this cutting method.

I'm still waiting to order the June Tailor ruler (stock due next week apparently) but I was happy to find a substitute in my Aladdin's Cave of stuff!

As I have used the new 'contrast' fabric in this block, I will re-do blocks 1,2 and 3 as well.  I only have a little bit left of the 'contrast' fabric I used in the original Batik blocks so I'll choose one or two more blocks that will fit well with the ones I already have and turn it into a mini quilt or maybe a table runner.  I have heaps of batik fabrics to use up and I now have 3 metres of the new 'contrast' fabric!

I'm getting through those 'odd' reels of thread too.  I love how you can wind a bobbin on the Singer on the side and not have to re-thread the machine every time.  She winds a beautiful bobbin too - so 'even' if you know what I mean.  I think I've used up about 6 reels of odd amounts of weird colours!  great - now I can buy more thread:-)

Sadly no further ahead on my Aussie Log Cabin quilt.  Tomorrow! 

Happy Sewing!

Helen

BATIK BLUES.....

BLOCK 3 - BATIK VERSION

Okay, two things..... First thing.....ignore everything I said in the last post 'Spinning Pinwheels' -  DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT press your seams to one side anywhere in this block - trust me!   I know.....  you would think it would work just as well as pressing them OPEN but noooooooo.   Believe me, I have a number of brumby blocks to prove this point!   Pressing the seams open all the way definitely gives you much more precise blocks and they go together so well in the end.  Plus....  even when I made pinwheel blocks in the Civil War quilt-along, I DID press the final seams open anyway!  so I was still able to use my 'stab' method which made me happy!

Second thing....  go out and buy copious amounts of spray starch.... you're going to need it!  Honestly, I probably used half a can on just this block but look how FLAT it is!!!  crispy too :-)

So if you are just joining in on the quilt-along, follow Michele's instructions and advice!

I'm trying to purchase the ruler that is recommended for this quilt-along.  It's the June Tailor Perfect Half Square and Quarter Square Triangle Ruler.  One online supplier carries it here in Australia but they are out of stock.  I'm off on a little shop hop tomorrow to see if I can find it!

One more day and Block # 4 will be posted....  can't wait!   I'm really enjoying working on this project and I'm loving sewing on my Singer 201K.    Oh ....  I've made a space in my room to bring the Singer 201K Treadle upstairs so I can get her sewing as well!   This machine belonged to my MIL and hasn't been used for probably 10 years so I'll be getting a new belt for sure.  I'm looking forward to treadling again!  haven't sewn on one since my school days!

Happy Sewing!!
Helen

SPINNING PINWHEELS.....

BLOCK # 3 - AFA QUILT-ALONG

This block certainly tested the old Singer 201K.  I took it slowly and in the end I'm pretty happy with how this block has turned out.

I did learn one thing about sewing on the Singer.  I need to check my scant 1/4" frequently, as the seam guide 'shifts' a little without you noticing it.  I purchased a little tool to help me with the scant 1/4" .....

it's called the Perfect Piecing Seam Guide by Perkins Dry Goods.  So every now and then, I place this little guide under the sewing foot, lower the needle into the tiny little hole in the guide and then screw my Singer seam guide in place butting it up against the Perfect Piecing little tool.  I then remove the little ruler and away I go again, sewing with a true 'scant' 1/4" seam.

Now I'm making my Batik version of Block # 3.  

This time I will press my seams to one side.  Up until now, all seams have been pressed open.  I just want to see what difference it might make to this block in particular.  I like to 'stab pin' my triangle points together so I get a nice crisp centre to my pinwheel and you just can't do that using the open seams.  Well, I can't anyway!  I have referred to this method before (Civil War Quilt) - this method is from Rodale's Perfect Piecing - a book I go back to time and again.

I've updated my virtual quilt in my sidebar, it's coming together nicely.

Happy Sewing,

Helen

FABRICS USED IN THIS BLOCK:-
BROWN CONTRAST FABRIC -  "MONOCHROMATIX" BY PATRICK LOSE FOR ROBERT KAUFMAN
ORANGE - RAINFOREST COLLECTION BY  CORAL TREE FABRICS "SUMMER RAIN"

FAWN/BLUE/BROWN/GREEN -  Brook Turquoise Pebbles by CP Designs for Studio e

AIMING FOR ACCURACY.... ON MY SINGER 201K ....

I'm sewing along with the Quilting Gallery "Aiming for Accuracy" quilt-along.  As I hadn't used my lovely old Singer for some time, I thought this project was just what I needed to get the oil out and get sewing!  I've given the machine a nice clean and oil, changed the needle and wound up some bobbins - as I'm using Gutermann cotton thread, I decided to use up some of those reels of thread that we all seem to accumulate..... you know the ones!  strange colours (what DID I buy that for?) only half a spool left, never going to use that colour again.....  so I'm winding up my bobbins to use it all up!!   It doesn't worry me to use weird colours for piecing especially in this project as my fabrics are both dark and bright!

Block # 1 is a nine patch using 8 sets of HST's (two fabrics only)  and one centre square of the contrast fabric.  I did a test block to work out my seam allowance.  I have the original seam guide for the Singer so I'm using that - it just means that I have to pin with the pin head on my left and the point of the pin just touching the outside edge of the fabric.  I'm sewing with a scant 1/4" seam and my block has finished spot on!  exactly 15-1/2" pieced and then I've added the 1-1/2" sashing to the bottom.

I used Crisp ironing spray when I was prepping my fabric and I do not use steam until I have all of the blocks sewn into a flimsy top.  I have pressed all of the seams open in this first block.

This will be a fun quilt-along.  I'm looking forward to sewing on my Singer every few days, it's such a delight to use.  One thing I like about the Singer 201K knee shift is that she sews nice and slow if you want her to.  I've got it worked out how I stop sewing with the needle down just about every time now. I have found where I can get a 1/4" foot for her so I'll pick that up this week, even though I will continue with using the seam guide for the scant 1/4".


Happy Sewing!!
Helen

FABRICS USED IN THIS BLOCK:-

GREEN -  "FUNKY FLOWERS" BY LINDA LUM DEBONO FOR HENRY GLASS FABRICS

ORANGE - RAINFOREST COLLECTION BY  CORAL TREE FABRICS

BROWN CONTRAST FABRIC -  "MONOCHROMATIX" BY PATRICK LOSE FOR ROBERT KAUFMAN

CHRISTMAS WITH A TWIST

Yes, I could have called this post "TWISTING THE WEEKEND AWAY"  and had Chubby Checker singing in the background but I figured someone else has probably already done that!!!

Here is the catch up on my Christmas Twister quilt....

 Cut the whole thing up using the twister ruler-

love this part, lots of fun!

HINT!!! - I stand on the corner of my cutting table,

making it easy to cut around each square - just keep

moving the quilt top to the corner of the table (no reaching

over to the far side of the quilt!)

This photo shows all of the new squares ready to be sewn in their
rows.

I am totally enjoying making this little quilt.  I love the 'lil Twister ruler and have heaps of future projects planned.

SIGGY UPDATE.. I have received two beautiful siggy blocks this past week - click on my Siggy Album to the right to take a look!  Thank You Jos from The Netherlands and Liliana from Italy.

It is Chemo week for Fred so I'll be a little quiet on the blog front but I will be sewing!

Happy Sewing!!
Cheers from Helen

GIVE ME THAT OLD TIME SEWING.....

On my lovely Singer 201K that is!!

Hello everyone!

I've been unwell again with a flu thinggy so not a lot of sewing happening lately but today I wanted to clean out/tidy my box of Christmas fabrics with the view to purchasing some of the gorgeous new Christmas range that is in the patchwork shops right now.  I had a lot of chunky scraps, some already cut squares and just lots of "stuff" so I came up with the idea of cutting as many 5" squares as I could from anything I picked up, then what was left I cut into some squares for my sister who makes fabric flowers.  My first thought was to make a Twister quilt with everything I had cut but then I found I had the right amount of squares (bar one) to make a Christmas Wreath like THIS ONE HERE.  I short changed myself one square of the cream fabric and I had used every last inch of what I owned so I just cut a similar toned cream star fabric - I don't think it will be noticed in the end.  I've been wanting to sew on my Singer for ages, and figured this easy project was the perfect time.  I just absolutely LOVE my Singer... it sews so beautifully and it is so very quiet.  I have the rows all pieced, just need to join them up and then add the cream borders and then of course..... cut the whole thing up again!  and then piece it all together AGAIN!    I love how the twister quilts go together.  My Tuesday craft group is having a "Christmas in July" day next week, so I will have something new for my show and tell.

I have completed my Teddy quilt....   I'm just waiting for the pattern designer to give me her approval so I can donate this quilt to a friend (more about that when I get the approval!).  I used the self binding method for the first time with this quilt and I was very pleased with how it turned out.  I machined it down as well so it was a quick finish.  I cut my backing fabric 2" larger all around, and took off a triangle at each corner and then folded over 1" twice.  I ditch quilted all of the blocks - like I said... nice and quick and DONE!

Oh.... and here is the pile of 5" squares I cut from the christmas box.....

there is probably 50 or more squares in that pile, so I think I might do another disappearing nine patch or of course, I could do another twister quilt.  

On the health front, Fred is doing very well with the chemo.  He is now a quarter of the way through the first lot then he has a break before having the liver operation, then a recuperation time following that and then another three months of chemo.  Of course, he does have his bad days but really I think he's doing so well.

Matt had his check up at the hospital and all went well.  He has another test mid August, but he is really A.O.K.   No job as yet and won't be back at college until February next year.  Yep.... gotta get that job!

Both Matt and I had the flu virus but we did not give it to Fred!!  If you had visited our home over that time, we looked like an episode out of Dr. Kildare!  face masks for all!!  but it worked:-)

I want to thank everyone for their lovely emails and messages - and as you can see... I'm taking your advice ---  trying to look after myself as well --- that's where the sewing comes in:-)))))))

Cheers! and Happy Sewing!!

Helen

SEWING ON MY SINGER!

CIVIL WAR QUILT   BLOCK # 24   LADIES' AID ALBUM
I took this photo last night, just after I had finished sewing,
should have given it a better press!

I finally sat down last night and set up my Singer 201K.  I read the book, checked out everything, put a new needle in, threaded it up and away I went!!!    I can't tell you just how beautifully this machine sews!  It's extremely quiet, hums along steadily and sews absolutely straight!!  I put a piece of blue painters tape to mark my 1/4" and my block pieced up to be exactly 8-1/2" square!  Spot on!!  The stitches are very neat - I even played with the reverse lever to make sure it worked!  I love how you just put the needle down at the beginning, turn the flywheel and move the knee shifter to the right and away she goes!!!

This block called for a fussy cut 3-1/2" square for the centre - I used my "Get Squared" ruler by June Tailor - cuts a perfect fussy cut square!!

Catching up on some housework today :-(  but once I'm done with that, I will be back working on the Royal Critters quilt.   You thought I just sat and sewed ALL day, didn't you?!   but every now and then one MUST sweep the floors!!

Happy Sewing!!

LOOK WHAT I BOUGHT!!!

Hello there!   Soooooo, did anyone guess what I might have bought???   Sorry, no prize if you did but isn't she just the most beautiful thing you have ever seen????   The Singer base with marble top is one I already owned and it also has history in my family, but the machine has come to me via a lovely family who found that they could not keep this in their home and I am just over the moon to have it here in my own home.  It's not easy for someone to part with something this precious and I feel honoured that they felt comfortable selling it to me.  It sews beautifully and hums along like a dream.  I have never seen a machine with a knee shifter instead of a foot pedal and felt at home using it right away!!  My Mum had a treadle that was converted to electric which I could use quite well when I was younger - you could use it either way and I was taught on the treadle.  My new machine dates back to 1949 and is in such wonderful condition.  As you can see, I have made a place in the sewing room for my lovely new machine and I just can't wait to use it!

Now, what could be in the box???

A beautiful Singer 201K, electric with knee shifter, that's what!!!

Here she is close up ---  I'm in love!!!

Plus she came with all of her bits and pieces and the manual!!

I'm still working away at catching up with my Civil War blocks.... here is Block #  20   New England

Now onto Block # 21...

Happy Sewing!!