2023 Batik Stars TOBE

I participated in the 2023 Batik Stars TOBE (Treadle On Block Exchange).  Treadle On is a group devoted to people powered sewing machines (treadles and hand cranks). I got my blocks back this week. This was an international exchange.  Not many participated in this exchange, but they all did a nice job on their blocks.  I'll list each persons blocks and the machines used separately.

These blocks came from Maryland and were made on a 1905 Clemens Muller Veritas hand crank.  The block is called the Quartered Star.

These blocks came from Florida and were made on a 1919 Singer 66.  The block is the Friendship Star.

These blocks came from Florida and were made on a 1902 Singer 28k.  The block is the Sawtooth Star.

These Ohio Star blocks were made on a 1936 Singer 99k, and also came from Florida.

These Autograph Star blocks also came from Florida and were stitched on an 1878 Willcox & Gibbs (the oldest machine used for this block exchange). 

These Starflower blocks came from New Mexico and were stitched on a 1950's Pfaff 30 treadle.  I love how she got all of her stripes lined up correctly.

These blocks came from Michigan and were stitched on a 1955 Singer 201K hand crank.  The block on the left is the Uneven Star and the block on the right is the Entwined Star.

These blocks came all the way from Ireland.  They were made on a 1954 Singer 201k.  They are a variation of the Ohio Star.

I didn't get any of my blocks back.  I did make one extra of each of my blocks (just in case).  I made my blocks on my 1927 Singer 15 hand crank.  

First, I made the Wisconsin Star.

I also made an Ohio Star variation.

And lastly, I made the Eight Pointed Star variation.  All of mine are paper pieced.

I also participated in another Batik Star block exchange back in 2016.  I now have more than enough batik stars to make a couple of quilts.

Two New (to me) Sewing Machines and Two for Others

I'm finally home from my last scheduled trip.  I spent 3 weeks in Alaska.  The only sewing I did was to put the elastic in shorts (made before I left) so that they would fit my grandsons (sorry, I forgot to take photos), and to hem a dress for one of my granddaughters.  I haven't had time to do any sewing since I got back home, either.

 It's been a busy sewing machine week for me.  Last October I was given a sewing machine from the man who started the Treadle On group, Captain Dick.  I got to meet Captain Dick back in 2013, when I attended the River Rat TOGA (Treadle On Gathering & Academy).  Because this machine is from Captain Dick, it is special to me.  It has been traveling from Seattle to here over all these months with the help of at least 5 other people.  My son and I drove to Wisconsin on Wednesday to pick it up. It's a 1948 Singer 15.  It used to be electric, but didn't come with a motor.  This machine was made in Canada.

1948 Singer 15

It came with this quilted cover

in a base that hubby built for me

While my son and I were in Wisconsin, we also picked up two treadles for two other ladies.  One has already headed to it's new home.  I'll hold the other one until the next person can pick it up.  The first one is for Nancy.

1912 Singer 66

treadle base

This one is for Carol.  It's a Wheeler & Wilson treadle in a lovely cabinet.

Wheeler & Wilson

treadle base for the Wheeler & Wilson

up close of the lovely drawers and cabinet

While in Wisconsin, we also stopped at an Amish quilt store called Lakeside Fabrics.  I've been there many times over the last 12-14 years.  I also got to visit with other Treadle On members that had helped move the treadles on their way to their new owners.  It's always fun to get to meet up with old friends and acquaintances. 

On Thursday, I visited a special friend.  Way back in January 2012, that friend helped me pick up another machine for someone, and wound up buying herself a hand crank.  I blogged about her hand crank a year later when I helped her learn how to sew on it.  Well, long story shortened, she gave me the hand crank.  This is a Bradbury Soeze from about 1905.  It was made in England.

Bradbury Soeze

decal on the bed of the machine

What a great way to end the month!

A few finishes

The Camp Tuckabatchee quilt show is coming up at the end of March. I promised to donate several project bags.  Here are the 7 project bags that I finished.

back of the last 2 project bags

I'd made these project bags last fall, but hadn't gotten the binding stitched on them.  Now they are DONE! 

My Treadle On vintage people powered sewing machine group has several block exchanges each year.  It's a great way to get people to use their hand cranks and treadle sewing machines.  Since some of the collectors are just learning how to sew with their machines, the Spring and Fall basic exchanges are a great way to learn.  This year, the Spring basic block exchange is Rail Fence blocks.  I made 4 sets (one set in each color), and they are waiting for me to get them in the mail.

Rail Fence TOBE blocks

These blocks were made on my 1927 Singer 15 hand crank. 

1927 Singer 15 hand crank

I have another finish, but I haven't gotten any pictures of it yet.  Hopefully I'll get pictures this week.  It is also for the Camp Tuckabatchee quilt show.

Peter Pan Baby Quilt

I finished the quilt tops (yes, two identical quilt tops).  Yipee! 

one of the quilt tops

see, there really are two quilt tops

I've been marathon sewing, trying to get these done, so that I can get them to the long arm quilter. 

I changed my mind on the backing fabric, so, I've already headed to my local quilt shop ( I love Sewing, Etc, in Yorkville, IL).  I'm pre-washing the backing fabric as I type this. 

I almost forgot to add the thimbles to this quilt.  Thimbles are 'kisses' in Peter Pan (if you don't remember, you'll just have to watch the movie again).  I didn't make the thimbles until Thursday, and finished appliqueing them on Friday morning.  I also finished the embroidery on the 2nd Peter Pan block on Friday. 

thimbles

I loved making the crocodile.  I got the pattern from Sew Fresh Quilts.  I used her method of making the flying geese, so, since I'd used a directional fabric for the crocodile's spikes, one crocodile had them going up/down, and the other crocodile has them going side to side.  That is the only difference between the quilts.

Crocodile Rock pattern from Sew Fresh Quilts

I fussy cut Tinkerbells, from some of my Tinkerbell stash (I had more Tinkerbell fabric than I thought I did, thank goodness).  Those Tinkerbell's are the cornerstones in the center of the quilt.

showing Tinkerbell cornerstones

more Tinkerbell cornerstones

Every stitch on this quilt, that isn't done by hand, has been stitched on a hand crank sewing machine.  I started the paper pieced blocks (Tiger Lily and Wendy) on 'Tinkerbell', my 1925 Singer 99 (3/4 size) hand crank, and finished the rest of the piecing on my 1927 Singer 15 hand crank.

stitching the last seams on 1937 Singer 15 hand crank

I've been so busy trying to finish these quilt tops, that I haven't had time to show any of the great quilting packages I've received the past few weeks. 


First, I won a lovely fabric postcard from Beth, at I Have a Notion.

post card from Beth

Then Jeanette, over at Inch Worm fabrics, sent me this great batik fabric bundle, from her giveaway.

batiks from Jeanette

Next, Tricia from Quilt With a View, told me that I'd won 2 of her Rose Card patterns.

from Tricia

Lastly, I received my exchange blocks from my latest Treadle On block exchange.  Here are my 4 different sets of blocks (sorry, my design board was full of Peter Pan blocks, so, I don't have a picture of them spread out).

4 sets of blocks

Here are the blocks that I made for this exchange.  They all have to be made on a treadle or a hand crank.  I used the hand crank shown above.  All blocks are 'signed' before mailing.  These are some of my 'extra' blocks. 

blocks I made for the Treadle On exchange

All in all, it's been pretty nice around here lately.  Of course, I haven't made my project for my quilt guild exchange (due Monday night).  I'd better get started on that one pretty quick.  I'm going to use my modern Janome for that project.  I think it is feeling a bit neglected lately. 

A Few More Exchanges

I've been in several different exchanges this year.  These are some of the last exchanges.  I only have one more exchange this year.

Treadle On Pin Cushion Exchange.  ALL of my Treadle On exchanges have to be made on a people powered machine (treadle or hand crank).  This is the pin cushion that I made.

lady bug pin cushion

Yes, I made 2 of these, for different pin cushion exchanges.

Here is the pin cushion I received with this exchange.  The pink one is from the exchange, the tiny finger pin cushion was from the hostess that organized the exchange (thanks Stephanie).  Really cute!

Treadle On pin cushion's

The next exchange was also with Treadle On.  This time it was a bag exchange.  No rules, just make a bag.  I had to cheat in the end, since I couldn't get the binding on the one I made while using a hand crank, and, since I stopped every few stitches, a treadle wasn't an option, either.  I did include a note in the bag, to let the new owner know that I used an electric (1939 Singer Featherweight) for the binding ONLY.  This is the bag I made.  I thought the fabric was perfect for a Treadle On exchange.

Treadle On bag exchange

Here is the bag that I received.  There is lots of detail in this bag, and pockets inside, too.  Look at all those ruffles.

bag I received

Stephanie was the hostess of this exchange, too.  She made all of us a bag herself.  Here is the bag that Stephanie made.

triangle zipper bag

The last exchange was with the Yahoo Harry Potter group.  This exchange was for Wizard trading cards, shaped like Chocolate Frog cards.  They had a template that we were supposed to use, but, no more information.  We could use whatever 'medium' we wanted to use.

I was late on finishing this exchange.  It is in the mail now.  Since she doesn't read my blog (not a quilter) I think it's safe to show these pictures.  Here is what she sent me...

card with the Wizard cards

She made these cards special, so that I can insert a photo of someone inside the lace, at the bottom of the card, and add important information to the back of each card

Wizard Cards I received

Here are the cards I made.  Mine are all fabric. A Firebolt (broomstick) a Golden Snitch and the Hogwarts Crest.  I got the patterns off of Fandom in Stitches.  They were all 5" patterns, but, I reduced them down to 3" and added strips of fabric on each side, so that I could make them the shape of the Chocolate Frog cards. 

Wizard Trading Cards that I made

Since I didn't want to go 'muggle' on her, I used a people powered machine (no ekltricity was used in making these cards).