Scrap Happy

Did I tell you my Davis Vertical Feed is named Victoria? I named her after a lady on the treadle owners' list who helped me identify her. She sews beautifully and we have been having a blast making potholders. I have tons of strips of fabric already cut from my days as a strip quilter. I also have lots of self-made bias left from the placemats I often make for wedding and housewarming gifts. Along with scraps of batting from quilts, Victoria and I have made a pile of potholders. She applies that binding without a ripple. And I have become a real pro at treadling steadily and removing pins at the same time. Victoria's treadle pedal works well even at slow speeds so that is a big help.

Just call us the happy strippers! ;)

Just so the Pfaff 7570 doesn't feel displaced, I have been zig-zagging the binding down for the last step. The topstitching looks great and is a sturdy finish for the binding.

Converting to a Hand Crank

I have had many requests for instructions and information on how to convert a machine to a hand crank. This will be brief until I can get up all the instructions and pictures.

For converting, you will need a Singer or a clone with a standard wheel shaft and a motor mount on the outside of the column.

http://www.treadleon.net/sewingmachineshop/motorboss/motorboss.html

The Singer 99s, 185Js, and the 128s are the ideal Singer for portability to events. The kids and adults think the machines are cute but they are 3/4 size, fully functioning sewing machines. They are easy to use and unlike most crank toy machines, they all sew very well. The 185Js are fun for 4-H events because they are green!

The Singer 128s are a long bobbin and shuttle machine. They have a learning curve that goes with winding the bobbin and loading the shuttle. But once mastered, they are superior to the round bobbin models because they don't tangle the threads when cranked backwards and some think they crank easier than 99s and 185Js. Also, the bobbin winder works easily with the larger sized spoked wheel.

The late model Singer 99s and the green 185Js are easily converted to hand cranks with little or no tinkering with the bobbin winder. Early model 99s require an unusual adjustment and a skinny bobbin winder tire but I don't find I need to cut a chunk of metal from the adjustment slot as described in these instructions for converting machines to hand cranks:

http://www.treadleon.net/sewingmachineshop/converting/converting.html

The reproduction spoked wheels and cranks can be purchased for about 24 dollars for a set or 12 dollars separately if you don't need a spoked wheel. The solid wheels on the machines can be notched if you have someone to do the job (see the link above). Some suppliers lap the wheels to make sure they will fit properly but if not follow these instructions (most wheels require lapping so they don't stick on the shaft):

http://www.treadleon.net/sewingmachineshop/lappingwheel/lappingwheels.html

If you find a machine without a base you will need it. The 99s don't have all 4 legs to support them up off the table. Again you will find instructions at the Treadle On site:

http://www.treadleon.net/woodshop/buildingbases/buildingbases.html

The last little change I made was to add a short shank to all the machines that would accept standard clip-on feet. I like to use the straight stitch foot with two equal width toes and a thick fridge magnet for a seam guide. The original Singer feet have a skinny right toe. I like to butt the fridge magnet right up against the presser foot and the larger toe gives a generous 1/4 to 3/8 inch seam allowance plus the magnet does not rub against the feed dogs with the wider toe.

I will later add a link to the download the instructions for the bean bags. The bags were constructed without the need for backstitching. Catherine has field tested them for 12 years. They are sturdy and easily made by children.

You can now find the tutorial for the Sew Green 4-H activity here (the tutorial includes the instructions for the beanbags):

http://sewwonderful.wordpress.com/category/free-tutorials/

Experience 4-H

4-H spent a day at the Farmers' Market. We had animals, a game table, and hand crank sewing machines. Our sewing project was bean bags. Those stale beans I had made great filler! Many thanks to Mary Reeves for helping me round up the Singer 99s, Catherine (another member of the treadle owners' list) who provided expert advice and instructions, and the local 4-H sewing club, Sew Krafty Kids, for their help and smiling faces. Our Go Green! Sew Green in 4-H was a huge success.

Another Appointment with Dr. Woodwell

The Davis cabinet and I spent an afternoon with Dr. Woodwell. Other than the fact that I can't repair the chip in the drawer and the damage around the front hinge, and the split is going to be weak point when the machine comes out of the cabinet, Dr. Woodwell did his magic. The cabinet looks so much better.

The Davis Vertical Feed

I know some of you have been wondering when I was going to get around to posting pictures of the new member of the fleet. My Davis Vertical Feed arrived home safely on Friday night and I have been busy getting her ready for some photos. I haven't found a good spot for the photos so I just snapped some while the cabinet is on the patio for a treatment with Dr. Woodwell.

And Another!

One of the teens at the first quilting camp was carrying around a cute bag like the one below. I knew I had the pattern. Actually, I had several versions. I printed the one from MarthaStewart.com 200% larger with Adobe Acrobat and taped it together. Then I used the instructions in the Kwik Sew pattern to construct the bag. I like the instructions because the steps are illustrated. The method described for sewing the reversible bag was similar to how I learned to bag a vest lining. It looks like it won't work but it does beautifully! And I like it because the bag turns through an opening in the bottom of the lining. The handles are completed completely before the final turn. This means they are stronger and if you don't want to reverse the bag, you can stitch the opening in the bottom of the lining by machine.

I thought I was making this bag for a gift for one of the teens who helped me with my 4-H Teen Conference class in June but I think it just turned into a sample for one of the Junior Judging Classes for our fair's competition.

If you want the pattern, the various versions are below:
MarthaStewart.com
Sewing Ideas
Singer Sewing Projects
Grab Bag from Fast and Fabulous Quilting Ideas, Favorite Picks from American Patchwork & Quilting,(this version runs a bit larger than the above 3)
Or purchase Kwik Sew Pattern # 3447
(Includes 3 sizes and instructions for construction are quite detailed and clearly illustrated)
View pattern: Pattern View for Kwik Sew 3447

Too Much Fun!

This whole tote thing is addicting. I am enjoying going through the scraps left from my kids' shorts, looking at old photos to see who had selected the fabrics, and deciding how to use the scraps. Some are not big enough to get a band to go the width of the bag. The bag below makes use of a small scrap of a Hawaiian print fabric. The Volkswagen with a surfboard on the roof is driving away from the beach at sunset. I made the appliqué to resemble the setting sun and put waves along the bottom edge. I once thought I would make a quilt from the scraps but I guess not. ;)