Quilting

 
Somewhere around two years ago, I started a quilt from an even-then old sew along hosted by Leila of sewn by Leila.  I got maybe 9 blocks in and paused for a long while. When I returned, most of the tutorials had been removed and are now in available in a book by the blog author.  This one, cactus flower, was still up until I completed it a couple weeks ago, it has since gone.

I relearned about watching out for blended fabrics in my stash.  I'm fairly sure my prints are all 100% cotton, but I still have some too- pretty sea foam green and the solid white in this block.  I should have thrown it out but I'm pretty sure it got neatly folded and placed back on the shelf. The different fabric contents are what caused the wrinkling in the block above.  It went together fine, but a little steam shows pretty quickly the difference in shrinkage of the two fabrics I was considering redoing, but the pattern/tut was gone when I went back.  I like this too much to eliminate it, so it stays.

The cactus flower made me feel good enough to whip this one out the next day.  It looks a tad bit smaller than the 12 1/2 inches that it should be.  Might have to have a skinny little border before the border.

This one could be titled "Pinterest fail".  I saved the pieces, but even after giving up and sleeping and coming back later I could not get it together.  It is likely there were some errors in the directions- I searched up some other patterns for this size of "card trick" block that had some different measurements.  There was plenty of room for my own error as well.  I had to flip some of my HST's over backwards.  No matter what, I couldn't get the pattern together.  Very frustrating.

I then went to paper piecing.  I figured there is no other method that would give me the accuracy I was craving.  It was kind of painful for me to "waste" all the fabric this method requires me do.

Trying to trim it down prior to piecing resulted in immediate poor results.  I had to unpick this last diamond and recut and sew.  THAT'S waste!

Worth the effort though.

Completed beauty:  Star of Mystery by fresh lemons quilts.  This one got me jazzed enough to google my local quilt shop, see that I could get 20% off if I sewed two NICU gowns/smocks for premmie babies, sew said two smocks and trot down there today.  Very happy with my purchases.

Don't know how long this particular spurt will last, maybe I'll have a complete quilt to QUILT this fall!!! Piecing is not my most favorite part of the process.  All that sticking to the rules you know.  I'm getting ready to try my hand at some improv and see how that goes.  

Check spring replacement for Kenmore 158.900

I couldn't find a tutorial to replace the check spring on my good ole Kenmore model 90.  I have the owner's manual but not a service manual.  I just parked the machine in the cabinet for about a year while I debated whether to buy the entire upper tension assembly or get the spring and try to fix that.  Neither choice is very expensive, so I finally got the spring shipped from an eBay seller for less than $6.00 and experimented successfully.

I took what for me was "lots of pictures' to help if  I needed a memory nudge or even to look for something I hadn't registered at all when I was in the reassembly phase.  I was more interested in getting the job done than photographing so this probably doesn't qualify as a real tutorial.  It could help nudge someone in the right direction though, and might give you an idea whether this is something you would want to attempt on your own (Hint: if you totally screw up, you can eBay purchase the entire assembly for about $15.00. Cheaper than a Craftsy class. Go for it).

Elizabeth at My Sewing Machine Obsession had a lovely tutorial on newer model 158's, which at least clued me in to find the hidden set screw that held the assembly on. On the model 90, I had to open the door, to find it here:

As you might guess, it's in the middle hole, about even with the tension assy, not the holes top or bottom that line up with thread guides.  Once you get that set screw loosened enough (and follow Elizabeth's advice, loosen don't remove to prevent loosing the bitty thing) the assembly just pulls/wiggles out.

Here's the whole assembly out.  I confess I had to take it at least this far before I could  buy a new one because the eBay guys had 2 types that looked similar except for the back posts.  This one, I see now, is a short post.  This is the point where you take note where things line up.  I could see the broke end of the spring poking out with a straight line from top set screw hole through the spring exit point to the arrow that indicates the tension setting in front. I could also see that to get to that spring I had to make that bottom part come off.

 Here it is at the next step.  I didn't take notes, but I believe this happened just with pulling apart. You  can see the slightly dusty tension discs that hold your thread there, good time to give them a thorough cleaning.  I can't get to the spring yet, more disassembly required.  This time, more tiny easily striped screws are involved.

In photo above I'm holding the back section that still holds the spring. One of the two screws is visible next to the diagonal mark on the cutting board.  The two sections were held by those screws via holes indicated by vertical arrows.

If the spring doesn't pull out fairly easy, you may have to loosen the screws still in your last remaining piece.  I believe there were two of the large size indicated in pic above, and three more that are really really small. Something like 3 threads wrap around those almost flat babies.  Oh, and they are kind of soft and look like the little slot would love to rip up so it can't be used anymore.  Careful not to over tighten when putting back in, and it is nice if you have a screwdriver that actually fits them. Once the spring was out I simply did everything in reverse until it was reassembled.  I did wonder where to set the numbers in relation to the arrow for pushing back into the machine heat and at first had my lowest tension reading as kind of negative 5.  I took it back out and set the arrow on 0 for a happy ending.  Then I just checked tension by stitching and adjusted the bottom slightly.

A little cleaning and oiling for the heck of it.  I stopped to admire the features on this machine.

The machine is from the very early 60's and is all metal.  I don't really love the colors but I do dig the lines of it.  The bobbin winder is ole-timey but neatly tucked under the door by the hand wheel and works very nicely, thank you.

My granddaughter asked me if that widow was the miles counter.  It delighted me because this era did make machines that resembled cars.  It's actually to set zig zag width. She does take cams (which I don't have) for decorative stitches, but does a basic zig zag without having to open and install.  The round knob to the side of the zig zag width widow will decenter the needle to the left or right.  Yup, that feature is nothing new, something I took for granted with any zig zag, though I believe it's a feature 'basic' machines might not have now.

The feed dog up/down selector is very accessible, and the machine does beautiful free motion embroidery and quilting.  I admit I wouldn't want to wrestle with a large quilt in that small throat space, but it did some beautiful small pieces for me.  It has a remarkably un-fussy tension.  Matter of fact, it took light to mid-weight fabrics without issue even with the broken spring. I just thought the time would come when I'd need the check spring to do it's intended job with some slippery or speciao fabric or thread. The machine also has a presser foot pressure adjustment dial and I don't know what all other features that may impress, it was just a good solid machine.

Made in Japan. See the J-A4 stamped in there?  Japan rocked machine making for American names like Kenmore, Wards, etc for many years.

After cleaning, oiling, and fine tuning I did a quick little sewing project just to show her some love.

Grandbaby jammies, shocking choice I know.  I was very aware of how s-l-o-w this machine sews in comparison to my singer 201-2, and even the 401-A.  This was one of the reasons my (11 year old) granddaughter loved it though.  She feels more in control on it.  It's still strong as only machines from that era seem to be.  And the button- holer, sigh!  It makes the button holes of my dreams, really really nice and really easy.  It's almost worth keeping the machine on hand for those sweet buttonholes alone!  Though the one I have for the 201 is close competition.  

These beat out every other button hole system I ever had on (all newer, including top of the line computerized machine of the 90's) any other machine.  A joy for both ease and professional appearance.  I sewed my holes for more than 20 years without one of these, and can't stress how much I love these since discovery.  Why did manufacturers stop making these, when they work so darn well?????

All in all, a long post because I'm glad to have this one back in the herd!

Been sewing for the babies

and littles and have NO pictures.  I did a rush job on a ruffled romper and shoes and two bonnets that had to travel up to NYC and didn't take any photos.  I just finished a circle skirt for the dance school -attending 4 year old.  Matter of fact, I also made a maxi skirt and matching halter top for the 11 year old and didn't photograph that either.  They all turned out fairly well, I just wasn't in the mood to get out the camera.  I was seriously tempted with the hem of the circle skirt done with the narrow hem foot.  Maybe because it's almost all bias hem on a circle skirt, but it looked better than any other hem I've ever done with that foot.

Which got me wondering:

 

WHY does a foot as intricate as the flat-felled or narrow hemmer cost $5 or $10 dollars online for a generic foot, but all these ruler toe  manufacturers feel ok charging $80 for a circular foot.  Ok, maybe they can call it a niche and claim they want to ensure they get paid for development and casting some kind of mold, whatever they have to do to make them.  But STILL.  Especially when I can get a good quality free motion foot for $15 or so.  I just would like one that put me 1/4 inch away from a ruler edge no matter what part of the foot I was banking on the ruler.  It could be an acrylic toe, I'd have no complaints.  I feel it's dishonest to charge that much.  My opinion.

What I did on summer vacation

I know, I know, it's kinda sad.  Not only did I "stay-cation" during one of the coldest and most wet early Junes that I can remember, but I also spent at least 50 percent of it washing, ironing, and folding fabric.  My eldest daughter coincidentally took her vacation at the same time, so while she went to an island beach I took care of her 11 year old and did my laundry at her house.  Had to bring my own ironing board and iron.  It worked out well because I haven't really got into corners and decluttered my room in at least 4 years.  I was able to tear it all apart and not have to live in it while I took my time putting it back together.

Afore mentioned daughter would have had heart failure at the river of musty fabrics that I had going on at her house.  It was ok since she didn't have to SEE it.  I also put food in her fridge and cooked it too.  Something she insists she does but I don't think so.

Some of these fabrics came from a yard sale. I thought that several yardages I found with the center chunk gone were those, and wondered why????????? Eventually I came to a piece I knew I had purchased at a store and was faced with the reality.....a crafty grandchild has been into them while I was comatose after night shift.  I have a promise that no more fabric butchering will be done.  Luckily, none of the best fabrics were harmed, most of them were cheaper and older cottons of the walmart variety.  Only a little pain.  There were all destined for being cut up for a quilt, or some dolly dresses or craft someday anyway.  Not a $20/yd fabric for trousers or a coat.

I got it back home and on the shelves.  I've managed to get under and behind and on top of everything and eliminated bags and boxes of stuff.  I really want to keep my sewing room in my bedroom but it was getting to be too much.  I like to wake up bleary eyed after 4 hours of interupted sleep and then think about what I could do before turning over and trying a little longer for a little more sleep!

I had to hide the fat quarter pieces in a rolly-bin under the bed, but I can see them all when I pull them out.

It's been done for a week, and the tidal wash of debris that I used to try and fight daily hasn't reappeared!  I love opening that door and seeing floor and even patches of baseboards.  I even found another window I had totally blocked off (not that I really wanted it with my daylight-shirking self)!

All in all, not a bad way to spend vacation.  I still snuck in a couple restaurants and swimming pools.

Busy knitting

Knitting knitting knitting!  No sewing, though I think about it.  I've been ordering fabric online so hopefully some sewing will happen soon.  For the past month it has been compulsively, loosing sleep, making muscles sore knitting.  I'd say, that's some knitting.  I stopped short of giving myself pressure ulcers on the fingers and I have NOT invested big bucks in new supplies, so that's good.  Especially since I gave away 2 full trash bags of yarn last winter because I never knit.

I've been wanting to repair a much beloved afghan my Mom made, I've blogged about it before.  I was able to sew up some of the holes, but there are places that just needed to be filled in with stitches.  I googled a description of the afghan and searched through the "images" gallery on the results and there it came: the original pattern for the very same afghan that my Mom knitted up in the early 1950's.  Three dollars and instant PDF, I LOVE this internet age for sewing and crafting!!!!

I've been working on my stitches, trying to nail "flicking" as well as continental style.  I've gotten pretty good at unraveling back to a point and restarting.  Still working on consistent tension.  There is a pile of blocks accumulating, some of different size and many of slightly different appearance but this is the test/learning one.  Then I'll make one or two for gifts, and then I'll go in and fill every missing part of the original.

I don't know why I was never in love with knitting before.  It is so darn soooooooooooothing!

sewing lots

Mostly quilting.  I started out with the idea of doing a video of quilting with rulers on a vintage machine.  I got lots of stuff to put a video together, but this new tablet/laptop with windows 8 has been very difficult to put together with learning a new editing program and I haven't yet got it put together.  I also made video of machine darning, the one mending chore I actually enjoy (because it's so like free motion embroidery or quilting).

This was a pretty huge hole that will never rip again.  No patch to peel off.  The heavy build up of thread is stiffer than the surrounding area but the recipient was willing to trade that for keeping her favorite jeans.  I've seen a business online that repairs holes on jeans with thread build up matching the warp/weft of the original fabric.  It would be fun to be that good at it. 

Playing with the quilting and darning reminded me that the 201's foot pedal sticks after extended use.  I intend to buy a new pedal one day but decided to just switch out the feet with a machine I'll probably never use.  It's an old vibrating shuttle that works ok but isn't much joy to use- it is a pretty cute 3/4  size to look at with it's old godzilla finish.  6 minutes of work and the pedals were switched.  No further issues with the 201 if I want to zone and free motion for hours.  It would race and have to be pumped to stop.  The 201 is one fast machine anyway and racing is a pretty furious pace.  I have been enjoying having speed control again.

A warning to anyone who uses vintage machines and free motion quilts:  you may not want to use a supreme slider on an antique finish.  The gold crackling above was the result of having the slider on for about 1/2 hour of quilting on a little orphan block.  I noticed the paint flecks on the back of the slider before I saw the deck and was very shocked.  This machine isn't  most prized for it's paint and so I wasn't devastated but I won't be using the slider again on it.  I have not had any problem using the slider with newer machines.  Truthfully, I have never felt that it made that great a difference in ease.  When I have quilt dragging I stop and redistribute the weight and I'm happy. Likewise I have found the quilting gloves unnecessary.  Sometimes if my hands are dry and the fingertips don't seem to have enough grip I use a little of that stuff office people use to moisten fingertips for handling paper- works great and doesn't affect the fabric.  God knows this technique might not be great for a quilt that will never be washed and is being entered into some world class shows and then museum bound.  But for my purposes, it works great.



 

The last thing I have to say is goodbye to one slightly brutal winter.  I've lived on the shore of Delaware for 25 years now and never seen ice on the beach before.  It was cool for the experience, now I'm more than ready to move on to blossoms and the beginnings of fresh local produce. Yay, spring!

Finished the blasted xmas jammies

 

I keep thinking I won't do Christmas pajamas anymore, but somehow they became desired.  I don't get it.  But they do ask for them, and some of them get all excited about trying to guess which fabric is theirs ahead of time.  I just need to start sooner if I'm going to continue.  Those darn black Friday sales for $3.00/yd flannel mess me up.  When you are buying approx. 3 yards per person for 12 people, $3.00 vs. an average of say $9 figuring you'd find a few other good sales....still makes the $3.00 look like worth putting the pressure on.  Then the store sends notice that they were unfortunately out of stock (why'd it take the order then?) and you get the flu, and those scant 4 weeks get shorter and shorter.  I'm kind of proud I actually finished in January and won't have to feel guilt when the tulips come up.

 

The due date on my next grandbaby has been moved up, making baby sewing next on the post haste list.  I've still got a long sleeve jersey knit top cut, the sampler quilt has been on hold since black Friday, and I never did find the perfect denim but I'd love to sew some more jeans.  I bought another vintage singer, this one from the mid to late 60's.  Very entry level and even some plastic gears on her but I did like it.  I gave it away, totally functional and hopefully many years of usefulness.

 

I did a couple videos this week.  One to show the old time and fairly lost art of darning as a repair, machine darning a tear such as for blue jeans or a sheet.  Another to show free motion ruler work on a vintage machine.  As soon as I completed the clip the foot started sticking on the 201.  This is the second or third time I've had to fiddle with it, I will have to go ahead and order another.  It takes off at top speed and doesn't stop till you tap/stomp up and down on it a few times.

 

I've got a lovely new "2 in 1", a cross between a tablet and a laptop.  Much nicer for taking with me on night shift.  Crazy windows 8, which I do NOT like much, and I'm missing all my favorite software.  I'm getting the new windows over time. After trying several photo editing  apps/programs I've found one called Photo Pos Pro that is very similar to the Photoshop family. Free to try and $10. to keep.  I've given enough money to Adobe for a while yet.  I downloaded VSDC video editor, which I'm pretty clueless with but will need to figure out at least the basics before I can upload to Youtube.  Maybe on tonight's shift if it stays quiet.

 

Update 2/6/15 I went back to using windows editor- but the blasted videos are too awful.  I love how the machine sounds, but hate my meandering backwoods Florida dialog.  There were filming/focusing/ card full issues as well that can't be fixed with my editing skills! I'll have to film again.  Good excuse to get in a little more ruler practice, which is probably only at a cumulative hour in the past year.  Not very expert.