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?