My Singer Featherweight

This little beauty is my 1961 Singer Featherweight. She was a gift from my mom and dad probably 10 years ago. I have never named her, but definitely consider her my baby. She is the white/mint green.

She is supposed to have a different pedal, but it was changed out to a traditional featherweight pedal before she was mine.

Her case is a little banged up, but solid.

The case's plastic handle has developed a crack, so I no longer use the handle. Does anyone have advice on replacing the handle? The metal piece is riveted, not screwed into the top...Hoping to get some helpful hints. I looked for a leather purse handle at Joann's, but nothing they had would fit...Help!

Sewing Saturday

These are the November blocks for joinedatthehip blog BOM. 

I stitched them up today since it was a grey, rainy day here. We only have two more blocks to go and I have managed to make them all from my scraps and stash! It will really be a lovely sampler quilt when it is all done. Now, I am on the lookout for some bargain fabric for the border and binding.

I also made a couple of sets of Christmas coasters for my gift giving.

 

I am totally caught up on the Shush I'm Quilting ABC BOW. I think the inchworm is a cutie and I loved to play jacks when I was a little girl, so I had a blast stitching them up.

Sunday is supposed to be another rainy cold day, which sounds perfect for quilting. What are you up to?

Holiday Preparation

Well everyone has been talking about and preparing for Christmas on Pintrest and in blog land. I usually start my shopping in mid-November, but I realized that my parents are heading to Nevada for Thanksgiving at my sister's house. If I can have all their Xmas stuff ready it will save me the time and money of having to ship stuff. Plus, December is a double whammy for my niece and nephew as they are both December birthdays, so I have to come up with 2 gifts each for them! Let's hear for gift cards, but I also want something concrete for one gift.

I decided to make some place mats for gifts. Aren't they cute? The fabric was part of my inheritance from my sister and this was supposed to be a large quilt, but I tweaked it into place mats. I whipped these out this weekend. I really love the fancy stitch I did in red on the outer edge, it looks like snowflakes. I have not used many of the fancy stitches on my sewing machine, but I really think in this case it helps to define the edge. To save on fabric, I turned the place mats instead of using binding.

I had this green fabric in my stash, so these 6 place mats were made for $0! That is exactly what I can afford. Here was the original pattern.  I have plenty of more fabric to make another set as well as a couple of sets of coasters.

I keep on hand quilting on my scarecrow quilt, but it won't be done in time to hang up this year. Although I am a teacher, we do not get Veteran's Day off. I really could have used a three day weekend to keep sewing, but we had one a couple of weeks ago and we get 3 days off for Thanksgiving. So, I should not be complaining...

Once this is more complete, I will take it outside and get some decent pictures.

I am still ahead on the Shush I'm Quilting ABC BOW, so here is my H block, my cute hammer.

What have you been working on?

BOM Sampler Blocks

With November upon us, it was time for Country Threads BOM Sampler Blocks. 

This one is 12 inches. They had recommended making them with the same fabric, but with my mission to use up scraps, I opted for similar, but not exact fabrics. The pattern posted on the first of November and I actually made them on the same day/night. Usually on Friday nights, I am exhausted, but as the mom taxi had to do a 10pm drop off and midnight pick up, I headed into my sewing room to stay occupied and these blocks were the outcome.

These blocks are for the joinedathip blog sampler. I made them earlier in the week all from scraps too.

Today I hope to machine applique leaves on my scarecrow embroidery quilt, attach borders on it, and figure out a back. Should I piece one or just go over to Joann's with a trusty coupon and find one that will work?

I also checked out the Bee in My Bonnet Quilt Along, but I think I am going to pass as I have not finished my row along and I would like to get that done and to make some other projects featured in the book instead.

The Temecula Quilt Co. Quilt Along is pretty tempting though because I know it would make a dent in my scraps, but the drawback is it is a mystery and pretty tiny. I have so many UFOs, I really should not start another! What are you up to?

Weekend Update

Here is Block G for the ABC BOW at Shush I'm Quilting. I am still ahead on that one, but have been able to show some self-control and not start the girl blocks. I feel very consumed with UFOs and hate to start something else, but of course I did...

Which brings me to the Schnibbles this month, Clover. I had the top done last night and was getting ready to take a picture to submit to Sherri at A Quilting Life when I saw I had one of the pieces turned the wrong way. Yikes! I just used my trusty Clover seam ripper for who the quilt is named and ripped it out and sewed it back in correctly. I love, love, love the fabrics I used in this. I used two Moda Savonnerie charm packs and a very light cream for the background. Now, I think I will be on the lookout for some fabric to add as borders and make this bigger and use it as a tablecloth. My Fiestaware dishes will look fabulous with it.

 

I pieced my scarecrow quilt together and now just need to applique the fall leaves on. I want to get it quilted up with perle cotton. Hopefully, I will have pictures of the complete top by the weekend.

 

I am anxiously awaiting Friday's unveiling of the Bee in My Bonnet new quilt along. I also am thinking of starting in on the Temecula Quilt Co. quilt along they are starting on Friday too. Check them both out! Hopefully, for both I will be able to use my stash and avoid buying more fabric especially with Christmas on the way. What are you up to this week?

 

Quilty Fun Arrived!

I am so excited to have received Lori Holt's new book! My mom and I ordered it as soon as it was announced. We both made the row along this summer and fell in love with Lori's designs.

This Sewing Machine Cover & Mat Design will be one of the first projects I make from the book. I have a white/minty green Singer Featherweight that I take on retreats, get togethers, and classes.

Last time, I used my Featherweight at a retreat, it really needed something under it to help stabilize it on the table, so this will be perfect. The spools are also pockets to put things in for easy access when sewing.

I really like the navy background for this quilt and how it makes the bright fabrics pop. Add this one to my to do list.

This apple quilt will be must make for my classroom.

Here is my row along I made this summer. I am still undecided about my borders for it, which is why I have not finished it. My mom has hers done, beautifully quilted, and already hanging on her wall. I bought a turquoise for a plain border, but I do like Lori's pieced border. I am not sure I want it to finish that big. I did buy a gorgeous red backing and my mom has offered to quilt it, so I better decide!

I cannot wait for November 1st when Lori Holt will announce the details for her quilt along on her beeinmybonnetblog!

Weekend Progress

I am ahead on the Shush I'm Quilting ABC BOW. Here is my F Block. I am actually working on the P is for Puppy block now. I decided to work ahead and start the girl blocks once I am done with the boy versions.

I finally broke down and started working on piecing this quilt. My embroideries were already completed. I wanted to make my version a little more scrappy than the design shows. Here it is in progress.

I embroidered it with a Valdani variegated perle cotton in rusts and browns  instead of the black that the pattern recommended.

I am using some oranges and rusts especially for some of the spacer blocks and for the leaves that will be appliqued on, but also lots of browns and golds from my scraps.

I found a gorgeous leaves print for my border in my stash, I think it may have been inherited from my sister.

Hopefully, I will get this completely pieced today. Then I can applique it, later in the week. I have parent/teacher conferences this week, so most of my evenings will be shot. But, I will have Friday off, so a three day weekend to look forward to...I need to trace the leaves for appliqueing and iron them. Then I find, they peel off better if I let them sit over night. I also hope to get started on this month's Schnibbles pattern, Clover, maybe I can at least get that cut this afternoon. Thank you for stopping by!