New bags & Machines

I've been making some bags for a functional bag exchange with Treadle On.  These bags have to be made on a people powered sewing machine (treadle or hand crank).  Not a problem for me.  My problem is which machine to make them on, since I do have quite a few options. 

I made one of the bags, a grocery bag, at the quilt show last weekend.  I used decorator weight fabric, and stitched it on the 1914 Singer 66k with lotus decals. 

stitching on the bag, during the show

I didn't have a pattern, I just copied one of the grocery bags that I use.  I did make the straps go all around the bottom of the bag, instead of just attaching them to the top.  I figured it would be stronger that way.  It made for 9 layers of fabric, where the ends meet, on the bottom of the bag.  Not a problem for this machine. 

This is the finished bag.

grocery bag

I made a bottom for this bag, to give it extra support.  I used plastic mesh, then covered it with matching fabric.

plastic mesh

bottom bag insert

I can make up to 5 bags for the functional bag exchange.  I decided to make another bag, and a matching one, for hubby.  I used the Box Bag pattern that I got from the Sewing & Quilting Expo 2 years ago.  This is a simple pattern.  I do find it easier to make, if the zipper is much longer than what the pattern calls for.  That way, you don't have to stop, and move the zipper while sewing. 

I made this bag using silnylon, that I'd found a while back, at the thrift store.  I've been meaning to make hubby more stuff sacks, but, he requested this bag instead.  My son had made him one, a couple of years ago, and it is his favorite bag.

Box Bags

Hubby wanted the green zipper, since he is a BSA Venturing Crew leader, and, green and yellow are Venturing colors.  The one with the brown zipper will be for the functional bag exchange.

I doubt I'll make any more bags for the exchange, simply due to lack of time.  I found that sewing on this silnylon was pretty easy.  I figured it would be more difficult, since my son had had some trouble with it.  We both decided that it is easier using a hand crank, instead of a motorized machine, since I could go slower, and leave the pins in (less slipping that way).  I don't have zig zag on my hand cranks, so, I just stitched each part 3 times, to make sure they were reinforced. 

When I recovered my sewing chair, I had some scraps of quilted fabric left over.  I didn't want to waste it, and, yesterday, I figured out what to do with it.  I made a glasses case.  It was my 'leaders and enders' project while making the Box Bags.

glasses case

Last night was quilt guild.   A lady from the guild gave me 2 sewing machines.  Woohoo!  I hadn't gotten a new, vintage machine since January.

The first machine is in a cabinet.  The top of the cabinet looks like it has been refinished.  The machine is a 1922 Singer 66 with Red Eye/Red Head decals, made at the Elizabethport factory in Elizabeth, NJ.  It is a back clamp, and is missing the bobbin slide plate (easy to get).  It is electric, but, when I clean it, it will be converted to a hand crank.  Someone else from the guild may have claimed the cabinet already (if it fits her vintage Pfaff).  If she doesn't get it, then I'll keep this cabinet.  It's nice.

1922 Singer 66 #G9279616 back clamp

top of cabinet

The other machine is not in good condition.  It is a class 15 machine (copy of a Singer 15), made in Japan after WWII.  The presser bar is totally stuck.  It is also missing the foot.  The wires have been cut to the light and the motor (scary wiring).  Lots of stuff has been taped to the machine.  I'll try to clean this and see if I can get everything moving. 

Japanese series 15 machine

with all the electrics out of the way

This machine came with 2 manuals, neither of which go with this machine (Singer manual, and Kenmore accessories manual). 

The case for this machine is in very sad shape.  I'll see if I can repair it, and make it sturdy.  If so, then I'll recover the outside of the case, to make it pretty again.

case is coming apart

Saturday is National Quilting Day!  I'll be at the church Ladies Craft Day, working on a quilt.  What will you be doing?

March NewFO's and Progress

Much of March was a 'no sewing' time for me.  I had my booth of vintage machines at the quilt show to get ready for (and put back up).  I did get to sew while at the booth (when not chatting about machines).  That really helped with what I have to show for the month.

I'll start with something I actually started in February to demo at my little quilt guild at the March meeting. 

Disappearing Pinwheel blocks

I made 18 Disappearing Pinwheel blocks, using the method from the Missouri Star Quilt Store's YouTube video.  I saw this block over at Linda's blog and decided that I needed to try it out.  I still have quite a few of these blocks started, but, not finished.  I love the look of this block, but, trying to measure it properly for cutting is a real pain.  I also didn't like working with all the bias edges. 

My Aunt asked me to make a baby quilt for her first great grandchild.  She asked for a white with little pink flowers and a pink as colors.  I loved the look of the block above, so, I decided to draft it out as a 12" block and use it for the baby quilt.  I love Triangluations, so, I figured out what sizes I'd need, and proceeded to make all my half square triangles while I was showing off my machines at the quilt show.  I stitched all the triangulations blocks on 'Betty' my 1941 Singer 66 hand crank I got in January. 

'Betty' my 1941 Singer 66 hand crank

baby quilt top, ready to be basted

up close of 2 of the blocks

The colors don't show up very well with my camera.  This quilt top has been spray basted, and is waiting to be quilted.  This one was fun and quick to make.  I liked twisting the blocks back and forth for different looks.  These blocks were MUCH easier to make than the blocks from MSQS's video.  I LOVE Triangluations!!!!  No bias to mess around with, and perfect sized HST's every time!

I prepared lots of things to work on while at the quilt show.  I knew I wouldn't get to all of them, but, I did get to work a bit on each project while there. 

I'm in another block exchange with my Treadle On group, using people powered machines.  This exchange is using a simple 4 patch block.  I wanted something simple, and, I made 3 different sets, on 3 different machines.  These aren't due until early May, so, I just may make more, if I get the time to cut more squares.

3 sets of blocks for the exchange

There really are three different sets in the picture.  I just put them side by side for the picture.  I used 2 different hand cranks, and a treadle for these blocks. 

I also took another Missouri Star Quilt Store pattern to work on at the quilt show.  I'd seen the Sashing for the Flower Garden Quilt YouTube, and liked it.  The original pattern is called the Garden Flower Charm Pack Quilt.  I had several charm packs I'd gotten last year, and, I thought they would be great for this quilt.  I cut out 504 little squares for the corners, and 4 charm packs. 

charm packs and corner squares

I only got the corner squares stitched onto 2 charm packs.  I finally got the charms sewn into 4 patches this weekend.  Only 21 blocks so far, so, I'll have to make more blocks for a larger quilt.  I have plans for this quilt, too.  It will be a wedding quilt.

21 finished 4 patch blocks

A friend from church will be graduating this May.  She saw a quilt I made for another graduate, and decided that she needed one with her name on it.  She chose pinks and oranges for the colors.  I finally got started stitching the letters for the center of her quilt.  This is the center of her quilt.  I still need to add borders.  It will just be a wall quilt. 

center of Erika's quilt

She squealed when she saw this picture, so, I'm guessing she likes it so far. 

Another thing I worked on this month, while getting ready for the quilt show was blocks for Kevin's Quilts of Valor block drive.  If you haven't heard about Kevin's block drive, please visit this post and check it out. 

10 blocks for Kevin's Quilts of Valor block drive

Kevin is still collecting blocks.  I have 2 other ladies from my little guild (so far) that have also made blocks for Kevin.  These are super simple and quick. 

The last thing from March is the Box Bag I made at the Sewing and Quilting Expo this past weekend.  The pattern can be found here.

my box bag

 I think I made some progress this month, and had fun starting some new projects.  Hopefully I'll have lots more to show next month. 

I'm linking up with Barbara, over at Cat Patches for the NewFO's. 

Expo fun and some bloggy friends

This weekend was the Sewing & Quilting Expo.  I worked both the Quilts of Valor booth and also as an ambassador in the Make-It Center on Thursday and Friday.  The Expo was MUCH smaller than it has been in the past, but, it was still fun!  I didn't get any pictures of the Quilts of Valor booth (oops!), but, I did get pictures of what I got to make, then help teach at the Make-It Center.

Box Bag

Box Bag, open

Beth Bradley, from Sew It All TV was the instructor. 

Beth Bradley from Sew It All TV

This was a fun bag to make!  You can get instructions for a larger bag on the Sew It All TV site.  This bag is designed by Stacy Schlyer, and is on episode 704.  Here is a link to the instructions.  It takes about 45 minutes or less to make this.  This was my 3rd ever zipper. 

I'm not on Facebook, but, there are pictures on Sew It All TV's Facebook page (open to all to see).  Here are links to 2 pictures with me and my bag. 
Me, making my bag.  And me, with two of the ladies I helped (one is a friend from the quilt store Thursday sew-in's).

I got to meet up with a fellow blogger, Andrea (Sew Divertimento).  Andrea won my first ever giveaway.  Andrea knows that I love teapots (see the title to my blog, teapots came before quilting).  Andrea found a cute teapot for me, and brought it to the Expo (along with some great fabric for Quilts of Valor, woohoo!).  This is the teapot Andrea gave me. 

teapot Andrea gave me

It's so cute and little!  Guess what?!?!?  My mother gave me a teapot similar to this one, way back in 1995.  Now I have the 'mommy' and the 'baby' teapots.

teapot from mom and teapot from Andrea

Aren't they cute together?  So special!  Thanks Andrea!!!!!!!

Last weekend I went to Joann's.  Not only was everything I bought on sale (most of it at 40% off), but, I also had a coupon for another 25% off my entire purchase!  Woohoo!  I bought lots of batting, thread and some Minkee.  I also bought a magazine that I've been wanting, McCall's Quick Quilts.  Three of my blogging buddies have patterns in this magazine issue. 

McCall's Quick Quilts (April/May 2014)

First is Erin Russek from One Piece at a Time.  Her pattern is 'Go Fish!'

Go Fish! by Erin Russek

The second pattern is by Cory Yoder over at LMS (Little Miss Shabby).  Her pattern is 'Weekend at the Lake'

Weekend at the Lake by Cory Yoder

The third pattern is by Jean Kritenbrink over at Jean's Quilting Page.  Jean's pattern is 'Twist & Shout' (she also called this her Snake Dance mystery quilt pattern). 

Twist & Shout by Jean Kritenbrink

I like all these patterns.  Now to find time to make them.....


I have been sewing, just now pictures yet.  I'll have a post at the end of the month (Monday or Tuesday) with what I've been doing in March.  It's been a busy, non-sewing month for me, but, I have gotten some things done.