Sewing machines 140 years ago

I've decided to take what information I have and start on my family history information that I want to leave behind. One of the things I was fortunate enough to come across during my search was a Paper of Record site, which no longer exists. I was able to search Ottawa newspapers for anthing about my ancestors. While searching I came across a number of newspaper ads that I just had to include to show what life was like back in the 1870's.

You'll have to click on the photos to enlarge so you can read them. Notice how gender specific sewing machines were back then!

In 1871 this ad:



In 1872 this ad:

I guess one of the things that blows me away are the prices. Of course wages weren't as high, but a sewing machine for$12? Such a deal. And with the treadle part you get exercise at the same time.

I did sew some on my daughter's quilt blocks yesterday and it was enjoyable. But now I have my head into working on this book so quilting will have to share it's time.

Have a good day.

This is so amazing! Deer for breakfast

I haven't been posting cause it's been a bit rough emtionally around here for too many reasons to list. Life just gets out of control sometimes.

I've lost my zest for quilting. I sure hope it comes back! I'm going to focus on working on my daughter's wedding ring quilt for awhile.

I do have an embroidery I did but won't be showing it for a few days and I have another one I want to start. It's a sewing machine cover. Right now I'm finishing up hand quilting my flannel snowman. I forgot needles were so sharp. Ouch!

Have a good day.

Cut and Press Boot Camp

Well I had to post some picture didn't I. This is what we spent last night doing. I don't think I got very far with pressing straight but I still have 3 more to do.

I was disappointed because instead of taking my own FQ I decided to just buy some. The shop doesn't really sell FQ like they used to but they do sell bundles. We needed 5FQ and there was a bundle of 10 of these retro Christmas ones so I took them. Boy I hate them *LOL* They just don't fit in with my decor. I think I'd need to be younger. And that line isn't cheap :0(

On the other hand I did learn some neat stuff that I should have known eons ago. First of all how to get an exact 1/4" seam. I had no idea you could move your needle back and forth, did you? You put a ruler under your presser foot and measure the distance from the edge of your 1/4" foot to the point of your needle. Move the needle to the 1/4" spot and then back one notch to the right so you will end up with a scant 1/4". You can see the way mine was set at the factory it is one to the larger side of the 1/4" line than to the scant size.

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Not that it helped cause I had taken my Janome Gem to class and I can't sew 1/4" to save my life on that thing. Oh well. I re-sewed all the seams this morning so they should be all 1/4" now.

The reason we were doing this particular project is look at how many strips we had to cut! I have to do that 4 times to make 4 placemats. Since I've already cut them I'm going to continue. I never know how to cut. I thought my hand was turning and that's why my measurements were out. I was doing 2 things wrong. First of all there's a little ridgy type thing on the top of your cutter. I didn't know I was supposed to keep my index finger on that while I cut. That will keep you from cutting on an angle.

The second thing is where you measure from when you're cutting. I always measured from the black line... it's better to measure from the bright line just to the left.

This also gave us a LOT of pressing practise.... which I still need more of.

The last thing I learned is if you're not hungry before you go to a 6:00 lesson eating a big bowl of fancy lettuces is not enough to keep you full til the end of the class at 9:00. Take a sandwich. I couldn't think straight so at 7:30 had to run next door to the Sushi place and get something to eat. I have no idea what I ate just that it tasted good and filled me up. Kinda looked like Japanese Perogies but with pasta instead of potato. And it didn't make me sick *LOL

So now that I said I had nothing to post about there I go. There is a difference between have to and want to.

I Quit

It's impossible. I don't know how others are thinking up what to post every day but looking at the calendar I still have over a week to go and just not that much to say. So, sadly, I have to drop out of Octoberfest.

Going to another Quilter's Boot Camp tonight. Tonight it's cutting and pressing. I figure I can use a refresher on both. I know I'm not good at pressing properly.

Microwave Mitt Pattern

REVISED PATTERN

After playing around with my microwave fingertip mitts pattern I've decided to revise it. For one thing the measurements I was using made the mitts too large for my liking. So here are what I consider better instructions

On a piece of butcher's paper or on a blank piece of paper draw a rectangle 7 ½” x 4 ½”. Then cut out on the lines of the rectangle. 
 Fold the rectangle in half lengthwise and then again widthwise and cut an arc. Because the paper is folded you will end up with all corners the same. 

Fold your fabric right sides together and iron the butcher's paper template, wax side down, to your fabric. Cut loosely around your template and then pin so that your bottom fabric won’t slip while you use scissors to cut your fabric pieces. I like to do two at a time cause it’s faster. If you are using regular paper pin and cut.
Cut one more shape from cotton batting, and another from Insulbrite. Note, do not iron the wax template to the batting because you won’t get it off again. It’s better to pin and cut.  The reason I also use the Insulbrite batting is to give extra protection from heat. Make sure the shiny side is facing towards the part of the mitt  that will be touching anything hot.
Now on your waxed paper, or other template, draw a line 3” from either end These end pieces will now become your template for the finger pieces of your mitt.
Using the same method as above cut 4 mitt pieces. Cut 2 pieces of batting the same shape, one for each mitt end. Insulbrite is not needed in the fingertip ends because it won't be in contact with anything hot.
Layer a mitt pieces wrong side up, a batting piece and a top piece right side up.
We are going to add the binding now. You can use any binding you wish. Since it won't be going around a curve you don't need to use bias binding, just a cut a strip of fabric 1 1/2" to 2"wide, iron each edge to the center and then fold in half and press again.

Open the binding out and pin to your mitt end. Pin and sew along the raw edge.

Fold and pin the binding around the straight end of your mitt and edge stitch down.

Optional: If you wish you can add a magnet to your mitt so that it can be hung on the side of your microwave (if it's metal) or a nearby appliance such as the refrigerator. 

Sew a small square of fabric on the back of one of the large mitt pieces about 1/3 of the way down. Slip in a magnet and sew up the final seam.

Now layer in the following order

Cotton batting, insulbrite, mitt piece (with the magnet) right side up, mitt ends, mitt piece wrong side up. 

Pin and stitch all the way around leaving one end open to allow for turning right side out. 

Turn the mitt right side out. 

Sew along the end that you left open.

Now turn the fingertips right side out so the seam doesn’t show on the outside and there you are… a microwave mitt.

I made two. They are great for getting hot things out of the microwave but also good for carrying hot dishes to the table. They are so much less bulky than full sized oven mitts.
I don't know if I wrote this so you could understand or not. Hope I did.

Fingertip Microwave Oven Mitts

I did it! I figured out how to make these fingertip mitts without having to put bias tape around the edges.

If you don't mind bias tape around the edges you can find the free pattern at Savvy Seams I personally like the cleaner look. She also has a pattern for full sized oven mitts. I've had a pair of the fingertip ones for about 5 years that I bought at the market here one summer. They're very used and besides I found this really cute retro fabric and had to use it.

On the left is the back and on the right (below) you can see the pouches where you put your fingertips.

This is my prototype, which we'll use anyway til it falls apart but it isn't really straight and it was ripped apart a couple of times while I was trying to figure it out so it does have a frayed edge. Tomorrow, I hope, I'm going to make another one and I'll take photos along the way and post instructions here.

Em's Challenge

This was a hard one cause I like so many different singers/groups. I like James Taylor but it didn't look like his song titles could help. So I picked Alan Jackson. Then I realized I LOVE Great Big Sea but it took me too long to do it using Alan Jackson so that's where it stands.


1. Are you a male or female? Blue Blooded Woman
2. Describe yourself: Work in Progres
3. How do you feel: Strong Enough
4. Your family: Everything I Love
5. If you could go anywhere, where would you go?: Dallas
6. Your favorite form of transportation: I’ll Fly Away
7. Your best friend: Sissy’s Song
8. Your favorite color is: The Blues Man
9. What's the weather like: Tropical Depression
10. Favorite day: Let It Be Christmas
11. If your life was a TV show, what would it be called?: Murder on Music Row
12. What is life to you? Nobody Said That it Would be Easy
13. Your current relationship: Up To My Ears in Tears
14. Looking for: Who Am I
15. Wouldn't mind: Winter Wonderland
16. Your fear: Tall Tall Trees
17. What is the best advice you have to give: Just Put a Ribbon in Your Hair
18. If you could change your name, you would change it to: Itty Bitty
19. Thought for the Day: It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere
20. How I would like to die: Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
21. Your pet: Just Playin Possum
22. Your motto: It’s Alright to be a Redneck