It's All About Knitting....

A week or so ago I found the Wilder book by Kim Hargreaves and fell in love with about 90% of projects.  Here's a look at the front cover:

Amazingly, the cover sweater isn't one of the items I fell for.  I'm not so sure about the fringe.  I suppose it would be easy enough to leave off.  Here's the first project that I'm going to try working on:

Lovely scarf, don't you think?  It has a new to me stitch in it and I'm hoping it doesn't turn out different.  This is a project for when I have a long flight. If I'm lucky, the scarf will get finished on the long flight.  Here's the yarn that I picked:

This is a Rowan Softknit in Flint.  I really wanted the Black shade but there must not have been enough available as the system wouldn't let me order it.  I have never knit with this yarn before.  I hope that I like it.   The next project is a T-shirt:

I looks like it should be fairly straight forward project.  This will be a project for when I'm watching TV or perhaps on a rainy day.  Here's the yarn that I purchased for it:

This is DMC Natura Just Cotton in Rose Soraya.  This was a suggested substitute yarn for another one I was looking at and this color was more of what I was looking for.  Hopefully, I won't be disappointed in this yarn either.

What do you think of my planned projects?  Have you seen the Wilder book?  I'm looking forward to creating several of  the projects in the book.

Happy Stitching!

Grandma's Quilt Pattern....

I received a card from my Mom this past week with a surprise.  Included in the card was a quilt pattern that my Grandmother had created and was published in the Kansas City Star in April 1938 except I have the original pattern with just a picture from the paper.  Here's what I received:

How cool is that?  I knew that my Grandmother had been published.  I have a book where she is acknowledged as the designer of a particular flag pattern.   This was her hobby during that time period.  I still have the treadle that she used.  On each of the pattern pieces is written what was intended for each block.  The circle is one solid blue, the bottom of the fan blade is 4 white, the upper portion of the fan blade was 20 different prints, and the final piece has 4 white.

Happy Sewing!

New Patterns...

You know I can't really resist purchasing new patterns with each new season.  It's not as hard as it use to be but it's still hard.  With the last big sale at McCall's, I indulged in new patterns. I really want to think that they will get used.  Here they are:

This is 7351.  I love the idea of a shirtdress and already have a chambray fabric ready.  I selected this pattern because of the separate cup sizing.  I'm hoping that I don't have to make as many changes to the pattern.  After receiving this pattern, I realized that the skirt is very full.  I do not care for that much fullness and will be paring it down a lot.

This is 7251.  I really like both views of pattern.  I'm hoping to find time to make both of them.  I really like the thought of a woven pullover top.  It seems to be what I have purchased the most of the past year.

This is 7357.  I'm really drawn to this top.  Love the shape, love that it has a little modesty panel.  Oops guess what? Even though this model clearly shows having a modesty panel on the top, it isn't part of the pattern.  This top NEEDS a modesty panel.  I'll figure something out.  Again, this is a woven top.

Happy Sewing!

It's New To Me.....

I have been looking high and low for this particular Singer for months.  I really didn't think it would be that hard to find.  So, the day before my birthday I found this lovely little machine on Craigslist:

My hubby drove me the hour to where the machine was.  It was set up and ready to go when I got there but unfortunately, the bobbin case was missing.  It was very obvious that the person had never used this machine.  Although they had cleaned up some, I didn't actually notice how dirty it was until I decided to bring it home.  Ugh! The back of the machine was covered in muck.  So, it gives me something to do while I waiting on parts to arrive.  I hope I don't regret this purchase.

Items that I ordered for the machine:

1.  Bobbin Case
2.  Bobbins
3.  Spool Pin (I don't know what happened to it.  It disappeared between the time that I decided to take the machine and when I got home.)
4.  The rubber donut (not the official name) for the bobbin winder unfortunately it is black.
5.  Felt pads for the spool pins and they are unfortunately in red.

Things that I have already noticed with the machine:

1.  Even though this machine has obviously been in storage for a very long time, there is no stiffness in the movement of the gears.
2.  It has all the original electrical wiring which is pretty since it is green but could be a hazard.  When I got home I found a small crack in the pedal wiring.  I did check the wiring for cracks before deciding to take the machine so this must have occurred during the handling of the machine before it arrived home.
3.  Weirdly, this machine is wired into the cabinet.  So much for putting it into a new cabinet as I will need to cut the wire to the pedal to remove it.
4.  There doesn't appear to be and on/off switch.  If it's plugged in, it's ready to go.
5. Did I mention, this is the dirtiest machine I have ever seen.  I was looking at the stitch adjustment plate and could see inside that was about an inch of muck.  Obviously, I will be taking as many plates off as I can to get inside to clean.

Things I have already noticed need work beside cleaning:

1.  The bobbin winder needs to be adjusted.
2.  The tension assembly needs to pulled apart and hopefully reassemebled without ordering new parts.
3.  The chrome is in desperate need of polishing (ok, that is part of cleaning)

I'm hoping I can get this machine going.  There doesn't appear to be as many moving parts as on the 221 that I own which is a good thing when it comes to oiling and greasing.  Off to do more research on the how to clean the machine without damaging the finish. I do plan on documenting each step that I do in hopes that it may help someone else.

Oh, by the way, this little jewel is a Singer 15-125.  It is a twin sister to the 15-91.  My understanding is the only different between the two is a little styling and the color.  I hope I don't regret not getting the 15-91.

If anyone know where to get the cream colored parts for this machine, I would love to hear.

Happy Stitching!

Cooking....Baked Salmon

I'm always looking for ways to incorporated more fish.  This Baked Salmon recipe is excellent:

Not only is the salmon tasty but the veggies are good, too.  Another use for the abundance from the summer garden.  Go check out the Baked Salmon with Green Beans & Tomatoes.  Quick and easy are always good because it leaves more time for other things.

Happy Stitching!