Latest on the sewing machine

Hello, everyone. I did say there would be a progress report on our reconditioning/conservation efforts.

The heavy books stayed in place for days, giving the glue plenty of time to cure.

This is how it looked when the weights and waxed paper were removed. 

The glued area. The nylon scrubby worked very well to get the squished out glue bits off.

The most promising way I found to get accumulated dirt off of the finish. It's still going to need some new shellac for a sealant and maybe some finish restorer and then wax. But the Endust softened the old grime and the 0000 steel wool got it loose and the microfiber rag both rubs Endust in and picks up the loosened dirt at the end.

 Sadly, there is a broken spot at the pass through for the belt. Veneer is peeling, too, but the thing I am worrying about is how to repair the broken bit without impeding the passage of the belt. We are going to try glueing it with the aid of a small clamp, and maybe some shims.

It's possible that this break in the edge of the pass through is related to the fact that the old belt was broken when we got it. Who can know, it probably happened a long time ago. 

It's such an adventure learning how to care for the old machine! But I want to get her in working condition and do some quilting on her.

Christmas season was busy, so...

Hello, everyone.

As the title says, Christmas season was busy. It's still busy, so crafty things were photographed then and are being posted now.

These were an idea from Pinterest.

I made a triangle template from an old file folder.

The stripey fabric was pieced from stash on hand, various greens and Christmas-y bits, some not rectangular, various widths for interest. Used spray glue to adhere the thin batting to the backing piece, then to adhere the pieced top to the batting. I think I quilted in the ditch at this point. Traced the template and sewed the outlines. Then cut apart. (Used the wavy blade on my rotary cutter.) Added ribbon loop at top, in white, and ribbon loop at bottom for trunk, in brown. Or black.

They're a good size for package tie-ons, or favors.

I kind of think if you could solve the cutting into an inside corner problem you could make really cute hearts on the same principle.

Maybe one could do it in reds and make diamond shape or lozenge shaped ornaments, too.