branching out in to machine sewing.

So I decided it was high time I did some sewing with a machine and I must say I'm really enjoying it.
My instrument of choice is a beautiful 1949 singer 99k with a hand crank and it is a wonder to behold. Given to me by my mother in law who no longer has a use for it I am its third owner as it originally belong to her mother. Considering its age it is in remarkable condition with its original manual and box feet. I like the hand crank because I feel I have more control over it I take my hands off and everything stops and it cant get away from like an electric foot pedal.  


The threading mechanism is quite complex compared with modern machines but with the aid of the manual and a couple of you tube videos I managed to get it done and with abit of experimentation I managed to get the tension and stitch length to my satisfaction.

I decided to start with something simple and there was a pile of lavender bags waiting to be sewn together. These are small squares so four straight sides were required with a gap on one side for stuffing and a ribbon loop tucked in another. These are then stuffed with a mixture of lavender and polyester stuffing to give a good shape.

 They have found a home making up part of the craft display in the shop adorning the white tree. They are selling well at £2.50 each particularly last week when people were having them as little extras for Mother's Day.

 I have got a range of different styles done to suit all including flowers, cakes, sewing, farmyard and purple oriental inspired fans. I think the purple works well with lavender. There is also a set of Easter ones still in need of stuffing and will be available soon.

 My other half as acquired a passion for vintage film cameras and thought the machine would make a nice subject. So here's a couple of pictures he took one nice sunny day. Here is myself at the machine working away. Ad you can see you turn the crank with your right hand and guide the fabric with your left and this works well for me being left handed.

  For some reason this one came out small,I tried making it bigger but it distorts the definition. this is a nice black and white shot of it in the sun.
I hope to do more with my machine soon so keep checking back. I have a summer skirt I cut the pieces out for years ago which needs putting together, might get that done for this year.

Latest Craftstyle samples

During my extended crafting session I had time to do some samples for Craftstyle products they had some new ranges out and needed samples for an upcoming show.
The set I was sent was vintage sports this is a nice set for those always difficult male cards. So here's what I made.

The fist is using the football themed backing paper and toppers, This card blank was included in my pack and I think I folded is correctly it gives a flat front to the card and then a raised section inside allowing for lots of area to decorate.  

 Here you can see the folded area more clearly it really adds depth to the card.

This one is just a normal folded blank with embossed dot pattern and scalloped edge.  I have decorated it with the racing car designs. and have shaped the patterned paper slightly to continue the scallop.

 This one again uses the racing car theme. In the aperture I have placed some patterned paper at the back and have suspended the sentiment on pieces of cotton to allow for a little movement and something abit different from foam pads. I have made good use of the coordinating edging strips down either side of the card.



 

 The next is using the cricket theme I have sectioned the card in to quarters with two being filled with the patterned paper and the other two with raised and angled sentiment and topper the edging strips tidy up and define the sections. I like how the dots pick up the round ball shapes on the paper.

 This one is a gatefold card with the main topped being on the inside. it is a golf theme. I had two of the same topper so have cut out the figure on one and placed it on with foam pads to give the image some depth and interest.

 The outside is decorated with the patterned paper, sentiments and edging strips to hold it closed these folded around the card and joined at the back. The only bit I am displeased about with this card was that the two front panels are not the same size and I didn't measure the paper the right way round for allowing pattern match across the joins.

 My last sample is the still on trend exploding box card this was an actual blank included in the kit so good news for those who wouldn't go to the effort of creating your own blank, ( it is rather tricky without a score board of some sort) For this one I used the football theme and cut out small items from the backing paper which were suspended on thin pieces of acetate behind the main topper. I used a complimenting paper from my stash to cover the inside sections and placed a sentiment and cut out scarf on the front flap.





I was quite pleased with this set of samples and was able to spot some of them on the photos on the craftstyle facebook page when they went to Hobby craft and stitch international show in February.

Nearly at the end of my extended session.

So my shop is getting back to normal with nearly all the major work completed just my artistic flare needed to bring it back to life.

Tile floor is down and the base of the shelves and under the windowsill tidied up with new cladding. I have backed the shelves with some new paper which is a lovely kraft brown color and rambling flower pattern in black this has been complimented with a cream and black dot cellophane in other areas where I used to have green fabric.

My lovely vintage dressing table and teal tables back in place ready for a delivery of flowers.







So here's a post about all the crafting I've been continuing to do while I waited.

First up I've got my little group of matryoshka dolls, These are so sweet. Like with my partridges before Christmas I cut out all the pieces in several different colors then mixed and matched them to get the best combinations. I also chose to have three different colors for the hair to give them some different looks.

  Here's is a closer look at just one of them they are not as detailed as the partridges but they do have a touch of hand embroidery in the form of tulip flowers on the belly piece. The edge of the head scarf piece is decorated with complimenting ric-rac and a flower shaped button. I decided to cut a hole in the headscarf piece and place the hair and face pieces under it instead of stitching them on top I prefer the look this gives. I wasn't to sure about making the faces look good so have gone with simple smiles and sleepy looking eyes. The hanging loop as been made with a ribbon I picked up which had a fun ric rac pattern on. The dolls I lightly stuffed with toy stuffing to give them shape.
I think they are a fun and on trend little ornament and would make a cute little gift for mother's day.

 Another gift Idea I have been making are these jars of decorated tea lights. I had made some small sets with Christmas patterns which were quite popular so have decided to make these jars using more candles and a mixture of scents and patterns of tape.  I enjoyed making these and think they create a gift that is a little bit different and would be prefect for a thank-you or house warming.



Both of these the felt matryoshka ornaments and the jars will be available soon in the shop for £4.99 each.

Carrying on my passion for crochet ( I will get my new spring garlands pressed and photographed and put up on here soon) I have also made this little fella I was researching different flowers to possible attach to some small wicker wreaths but this pattern caught my eye and I had to have a go. He is made in dk cotton by creating a circle of crochet this one was done in half trebles. A small triangle is made for the beak, oval pieces for the wings and chains created for the legs and hanging loop. Buttons are added for eyes and feet. the circle is folded and half and stitched with a small amount of stuffing added for shape. I like the mix of colors in the body and think I will be making more of these in the future in different combinations.  

I have also continued with my baking. Making this rather yummy lemon curd cake for valentines day (that's why it is covered in pink hearts.) This is a recipe I have acquired from my mother in-law and is a simple sponge recipe with added lemon zest and juice and lemon curd in the middle rather than jam. I sometimes wonder about making it with lime curd as I seen jars for that at my local farm shop.






I hope my reads are enjoying all this crafting I am although I could have done without the circumstances which allowed me to do so much. Still to come my leap in to machine sewing.