It pays to measure correctly.

I have been busy adding the border. Took the leftovers resized them to fit into border. I'm loving this quilt. I'm now working on the pattern for the back. I have at least four fabrics that my mom had sent that I plan to use in this quilt.

I discovered that if measurements aren't just right piecing can get ugly very quickly. That is what happened with this quilt top. I should have made sure all the squares were squared up all to the exact same size, but in my haste to see the results of taking scraps to create a top I made a mess.

So, I spent a week ripping out the entire quilt. I then squared up the blocks to have them all the exact same size. I just finished today with reassembling all those pieces.

Even though it was a lot of work, I'm happy that I did it. I learned a lot in the process. And I'm now loving the look of the quilt!

I also learned that there is another pattern that looks somewhat similar called Jewel Box quilt. Next time, I will cut my squares and half squares to the size of the pieces used in a Jewel Box quilt tutorial that I have bookmarked and follow that pattern.

My border is next!

Out of Many...

...little pieces of scraps, I will make a quilt.

My scrap bag was full, and I needed a plan to use up the scraps. Recently, I had seen numerous folks showing off their quilts made from scraps. One gal's quilt was so stunning; it's one of those quilts that you just have to copy. Thank God, no two scrappy quilts are the same.

This was my start of cleaning up the bag of scraps. I cut them into 2x2 inch squares and half square triangles. The tin was full...but not for long.

My Jacob's Ladder quilt top in progress.

Happy Hauntings

Time For Another Tute!

This tutorial will demonstrate how to do machine binding using a Davis NVF (walking foot machine) and finishing off with a decorative stitch using a Singer 328K. This is mainly for the Davis NVF setup (my reminder). Any other vintage machine with decorative stitching capability can be used for the finishing touch, like a Singer 401A.

Start off with setting up the seam allowance, or distance from needle to edge of quilt, by attaching seam guide. I'm using 3/8" seam.

Attach prepared binding to back side of quilt. I like to use 2 1/2" binding that has been folded in half and pressed.

Binding is now attached.

Bring fabric over edge of quilt and line up edge of binding with your 3/8 seam line on front side.
Stitch down into place by placing the walking foot's right edge up with right edge of binding. (click photo for up close view)

Finished look; take note of how the binding is attached.

Now you have to finish off the binding with a decorative stitch of your liking. I'm using one from my Singer 328K. Here is how I line up the foot on the binding. Each decorative stitch pattern will need to be tested for positioning on binding. The idea is to tack down like you would in hand stitching.

A look at the finished machine binding.
The front side.

The back side.

One could play with thread colors, binding fabric colors and patterns, and decorative stitches. Here is a different look using the same decorative stitch, but different fabrics and thread colors.

The Endless Knot

Celtic Knots symbolize a rebirth or continual cycle of life. How appropriate for this machine to be decorated with the Celtic knot decals. After replacing the missing parts (the lost limb) and a good cleaning with oil, life has returned to this once sad soul. This machine is a true warrior! I still need to spend time cleaning the machine, but I gave it a quick test run (out of treadle) to see how well it stitches. This machines surprised me! It produced one of the prettiest stitches (top and bottom) on the very first test.

Thread path

Breanna, the strong and honorable one, will serve me well.

The Oddballs

The Davis Vertical Feed sewing machine has a different foot, and it attaches to the machine differently from other machines.

First, a very quick look at the difference in feet and attachment from a couple of vintage sewing machine manufacturers.
The Davis foot:

A Singer foot:

A Standard foot- which some National and White are like:

Okay lesson over; now, back to conquering more attachments!

There are a couple of hemmer attachments for the Davis NVF that aren't that unusual. I'm starting with them since they will be easy to figure out how to use. I misplaced the screw; so, duct tape worked!

Not bad first first run!

I found the screw! I had used it last with my other Davis NVF, and that is where it was still located. It hadn't wandered off!

Next hemmer:

Nothing magically here.

A Bias Binder used to bind scalloped edges, points and squares, and for French folds.

This attaches differently!

Next, the "self-sewer' or seam guide. I had to put the two parts together before use.

By sliding the bottom plate, adjustments can be made in width of seams. This contraption works very well!

Now the oddity, the Ruffler, that looks like it could rip out nails instead of making pretty ruffles. I couldn't get this to line up correctly for gathering work, but I do have it attached the way the picture showed in my manual. I either have to make some adjustments or this is for an older model Davis Vertical Feed.

The Braider:
I didn't have anything to use for braiding. It is on correctly. Looks simple, but the directions are rather detailed on how to use this thingie. Bet it's a pain in the neck to use! Well, I'm not into braiding...thank God!

I realized the attachments were in need of a good cleaning. So after a day in OxyClean, they now shine!

They Ain't NY Bagels...

One of my favorite pastimes is touring the world via internet. Well, I just had to give bagel making a try after reading someone's blog the other night. She made them look so yummy! I wasn't about to start making bagels at 2 A.M.; so, this morning after sleeping in and walking the dog, I got busy.

Ready to drop into boiling water.

The 30 second on each side bath.

The dry before bake.

Topped and ready to bake.

Yummy!

...Well, They aren't NY bagels, those are the best, but these are very good.
I'll make them again! The recipe isn't difficult; I just need to perfect my steps.
Bon Appétit!!

After All These Years!

I had this pincushion that my mom made for me some 30 years ago sitting on a dresser. I always thought of it to be too pretty and special to use as a pincushion; so, it always decorated my dresser. Today, I looked closely at the design and colors on the cushion as I was dusting (yes, I dust at least once a year). An OMG moment came over me, and I went running to over to Rose, my Standard Rotary machine, that has one of the sewing machine covers draped over it. I stood with pincushion in hand and just chuckled. Yup, Mom must really love this motif (fabric for cover came from Mom's stash). Well, now the pincushion has a new position!

Have Manual Will Conquer

The battleground for today. I'm determined to learn how all these attachments work and make them work for me.

NO this isn't a can opener.

My Singer Student Manual says it is a ruffler.

This is the correct side for placing the fabric through this ingenious contraption.

It works!!! OMG! It really works!!

I'm envisioning little girl dresses with ruffles and gathers.

And Plaiting!

The Tucker

The Tucker in action.

Tucks made with different adjustments to the tucker. One knob sets tuck height and another adjusts distance between tucks.

The Binder