Thursday, 6 September 2012

Patchwork


Sat in my sewing corner for the last ten months has been one 1948 Kenmore 95 Rotary sewing machine. The Sears cabinet suffered a hinge death on it's move into the apartment and without any instructions we had trouble not only finding a replacement but knowing how to thread the machine. But a crafty girl breaks sometimes, when there's a machine that she can't use. A failed attempt at buying a replacement hinge and feeling the need to use my fabric goodness lead me to a tearful angry moment of threatening to throw the machine out. Said anger lead me to reconstructing the sewing machine table [you can see how it looks within it's cabinet look here] to make it usable and with a copy of the original instructions I was ready. I had no purpose or method to my sewing. I just needed to sew. Anything. It turned out I created a cushion for my sewing chair. It's rough, it's a little uneven but to me that's beside the point. It was just something I needed to do. 

Sewing anger lead to finally see past the broken hinge and I'm going to use my machine regardless. A broken hinge will not stop me any longer and hopefully my sewing adventures will continue. She's a jolly good machine too, granted not as visually pretty as my 1934 Singer with it's engraved flowers and the like - she's industrial, well built and certainly of her time. But, man can she sew. Actually goes fast enough that the thread breaks. The fact that it can only really go forward and backwards is welcoming to me - less ways to get confused and weirdly enough is powered not by a foot control, but a knee one. 

Speaking of old sewing machines ...


I think remembering I had to leave this sewing machine back in the UK was adding to my hinge anger. Sadly I wonder if this old gal will be able to ever move - being cast iron she certainly isn't the lightest of objects [I can barely carry it]. Additionally I doubt I'd use her in the US as she'd need another power change - she's already 78 years old and been adjusted from a treadle to electric. Maybe once we're flush with money I'll get her here as a display piece.

Do you have an old sewing machine? I'd love to hear all about it!

33 comments:

  1. What a gorgeous machine. My grandmother's push pedal Singer is still in her house. My mom used it to make her wedding dress.

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    1. Vintage Singer's are beautiful aren't they especially when they have a family history to them too.

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  2. Hey, girly, I have your Chicago prints all packaged up and ready to go, they just need a home to be sent to!
    Shoot me an email with your information so it can be on its way.
    mkephotoge@gmail.com

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  3. that is one good looking machine.

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  4. What a beautiful old sewing machine!

    Gina Michele
    Crochet Clouds

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    1. Isn't she just, they don't make them like they use too.

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  5. That sewing machine is gorgeous. I only wish I had a machine that old, strong, and beautiful!

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    1. Yeah the old ones certainly have some weight behind them!

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  6. What a beautiful sewing machine! I don't have an old one yet but I'd love to one day!

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    1. They are well worth investing in, while they don't always have all the fancy buttons and stitches you find on a modern machine, they often stitch just as well if not better. They were really built to last!

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  7. Awh, I never had a sewing machine before. It's been out my list for ages just never gotten around to it, yet! The pillow looks amazing, I love the fabrics you have used!
    Hannah
    www.daintyandivory.blogspot.com

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    1. I grew up sewing machines all around me but never really wanted to use one until the pass year or so and now I have two - haha!

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  8. That's such a gorgeous machine, I wish I could afford one! That's such a pretty cushion too :)

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    1. A lot of the vintage machines can go for a really good price - you'd be surprised at how much of a bargain you can get with them.

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  9. i don't even know one end of a sewing machine from another and i really wish i could sew! however, i have tapped into my somewhat creative side and started making bracelets just for fun (and to see if i could).

    and btw, that sewing machine is gorgeous!

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    1. Thank you - i'm still much of a learner when it comes to sewing but I love the adventure!

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  10. I've always longed to own a Singer of my own, I do own an old Alpha sewing machine but it's not much to look at, and I'm not sure if it still works either! Love the patchwork cushion xxx

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    1. Sometimes I think my Kenemore sewing machine is far too industrial to be pretty but it's certainly of it's time and it totally reflects that post war vibe. The singer machines were certainly made with beauty in mind too.

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  11. it turned out great - but i get SO frustrated when my sewing machine breaks. i grew up using one of the ones that folded into the table - so cool they were

    <3 katherine
    of corgis and cocktails

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    1. Both of these originally fold into a table. The Kenmore will again once we find the right hinge to support it.

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  12. In my house we have something similar!! nice work

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  13. Beautiful patchwork pillow!! My mom has an old Singer, that I love! xo Heather

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  14. I love the look of old sewing machines! I don't have one though--I hear the newer ones are easier for people who are completely new to sewing, so I got myself a new sewing machine this summer and have loved sewing with it. But it'll never be as pretty as the old machines, and for sure it won't last nearly as long! Why can't they continue building all metal machines??

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    1. Hmm I'm not too sure actually. While i've never used a brand new machine I've always preferred the older machines for not having all the crazy fancy functions on them that to be complicate it all. I find the older machines a lot easier to thread too and generally just use although you do have to be a bit more mechanical minded to use it and use it with a screw driver at times!

      But yeah, that plastic look on the modern sewing machines puts me off any time!

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  15. amazing!
    i'd buy a cushion like that, it's beautiful :)
    Rosie xo
    A Pocketful of Rosie

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  16. I recently bought a 1950's pink and grey machine (you can see her on one of my blog posts). She looks beautiful and sews well most of the time - but unfortunately she doesn't cope quite as well with thick layers as i'd hoped unless they're in a long straight run. But i like looking at it so much that i can't bear to send it back!

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  17. I totally usederstand that need to make - I've been exactly there! I wish I had an old machine, they're so beautiful.

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  18. They don't make machines like they used do they. Sturdy and meant to last. Sometimes the need to sew something is overwhelming, glad that you got everything (nearly) sorted.

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  19. It's such a beautiful machine. The old ones are the best!

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