Monday, September 17, 2012

You Knew I Couldn't Live Without It

I now have a sewing area in my apartment. You really knew it would happen sooner rather than later. I found a sewing machine sitting in the laundry room upstairs. I don't go there very often and hadn't noticed it but Mike pointed it out. I hauled it downstairs which took some effort. I weighted it to see how heavy it was. Thirty-five pounds. This is definitely not a portable sewing machine. It is a Singer 288. I did a little research and I think it was made sometime around the 1970's. It didn't have a needle but a friend gave me a couple. They worked. The presser foot also has been taped on somehow. I don't dare mess with that for fear it will fall completely apart. When I sew the foot wobbles a little from side to side. It makes it kind of hard to get a straight seam but the stitch is wonderful.

I had it here for several weeks and would set it up on the little dining table but would have to move it for meals. Not a whole lot of sewing was happening. The other day a bit of inspiration hit. I could set it up on the little desk in the bedroom.

I could also put the cutting mat on the ironing board and I could use the bedspread for my design board.

Now I go in and sew several wonky butterflies a day. I get so much more done when I don't have to keep lifting that anchor. I am making a butterfly baby quilt for my first grandchild. It is a girl and will be born in January. I wasn't feeling the love on the applique project so I looked around for a project that would work with what I have. I settled on the wonky butterflies that everyone was making a year or so ago. I don't know if my daughter-in-law will like this but I know I do. I think I am going to call it Brazilian Butterflies. I have 16 out of 63 blocks completed.
This is fun.