Singer sewing machines have existed since 1851. From the cast iron treadle-operated machines before the advent of electricity, to the iron “modern” machines of the 1950’s, many a seamstress has owned a Singer.
Have you recently picked up an antique singer sewing machine from a local thrift store and are eager to familiarize yourself with your new equipment? Or, perhap
Cleaning and oiling is all that is required! However it needs to be done thoroughly including in areas that may seem inaccessible
I bought an antique Singer 15 treadle sewing machine and spend several weeks restoring it to working condition.
If you stumbled upon an old cast-iron sewing machine at a yard sale, you may have dismissed it as a relic of a bygone era. Vintage sewing machines almost always outlast modern machines. Which leads
Many of us swear by specific products. I’m a fan of many of them because what works on one brand of an antique sewing machine, is terrible on another (such as
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Before the 18th century ladies used to keep their needlework projects in a work-basket or bag. Then furniture designers started to create elegant little tables for the drawing room with a silk work…
When someone mentions a home sewing machine, most people immediately think of Singer. Indeed, many Americans saw their grandmothers use this machine type when they were children. Even though the first Singer sewing machine appeared ... Read more
If you've inherited an antique sewing machine, how can you identify the model and the mystery parts left in its drawers?
A few weeks ago I asked a group of sampler stitchers - "how do YOU define freehand embroidery within a counted sampler?" There were lots of replies and varying definitions but one thing that did come across was that many who normally work within the safety of a counted chart are a little apprehensive about venturing into "uncharted territory". Hands Across the Sea Samplers will shortly be releasing a chart of a beautiful and unusual Scottish sampler that has small freehand motifs. They do not need to be included as the sampler will stand well without them, they could even be cross stitched. However, we want to take the fear out of freehand and for you to be able to stitch these with confidence and enjoyment. I have designed a small chart and step-by-step photo trail tutorial for you. Whilst this motif has been made up it incorporates all the actual flowers that are freehand stitched in the Scottish sampler. The tutorial uses the stitches found in the orginal sampler. When I first started stitching a freehand design I was a little nervous of drawing a shape onto my linen. Tracing a design has issues with dimensions in relation to the linen count. Without a guide line it is easy for the embroidery to "grow" out of proportion. I prefer, where possible, to tack a loose outline with my needle, sketching out the shape in thread. The lines and placement of a motif are easily changed and refined without leaving the fabric marked. This is the method we have used for our reproduction and within the sampler's chart there are guide lines for the freehand motifs laid out in the same manner as above . There are close up photographs of each of the stitched freehand motifs within the chart. Using the graph above roughly tack out the stems and one flower head. There is no need to count this out exactly - this is freehand. Listen to your needle, she will guide you. The sampler's flower stems are made up of short satin stitches but stem stitch would work well if you prefer. We do not recommend sewing tightly packed stitches to start - they are hard to unpick if your shape is not right. Travel up the stem spacing the stitches out so that you are getting a feel for the shape. When you get to the top and you are happy with the shape, work your way back down filling in the stem with the desired coverage. Repeat for the next stem. I want my stems to curve and not bend in hard angles. To curve my outline I use a couching stitch to lift my loosely tacked line. See how the shape softens. Keep repeating the process. Until all the stems are stitched. Turn over your work. Your waste knot and some uncovered tack lines will be showing. Clip out the visible tack lines and remove the waste knot. There is no need to secure it. Be careful not to clip out the flower head ! Turn your work back over and stitch the stamens on the first flower. All you need are two or more straight satin stitches. Do not worry about counting out your stitches. Your flowers will be individual, think about the shapes you are hoping to achieve and experiment. For the third flower I tacked out the shape of the petals first. I then used the same process for the stems to stitch the flower. Make your stitches a little shorter than those on the stem. Each of the stamens are formed with a single thread with two passes. The tips on the orginal sampler are over one cross stitches. Stitch them slightly on the loose side. The next flower is made up of three steps. First stitch the vertical satin stitches. A single thread with two passes. Then add the three long horizontal satin stitches and finish with the short diagonal stitches to the outer edges. The final stem has a row of hanging flowers. Use a tacking stitch to decide on placement. Then embroider the flowers with satin stitches. The last step is to add the leaves. Leave the leaves until last so that they can be shaped to sit well with the flower heads. Hands Across the Sea Samplers hope that you will stitch this small motif and that it takes the fear out of freehand for you. If you have any questions we are here to help. We would enjoy seeing some photos of your stitched motif. The Scottish sampler will be released at the end of August and with its autumnal palette will be a perfect project for the Fall.
Treadle sewing machines can be a little overwhelming with this guide learn how to use a treadle sewing machine.
Hi Bloggie Friends, Do you have a "thing" for sewing implements, especially pretty ones? Well, I do-don't judge. My mom sewed lik...
Did you know that one of the earliest inventors of the sewing machine, Barthelemy Thomonnier, applied for a French patent in 1830, but hi...
Illustrated treadle base digram for a Willcox and Gibbs sewing machine.
A White rotary sewing machine was first produced in 1858 by Thomas White, the founder of the White Sewing Machine Company. Production of this sewing machine lasted until 1946. The machine was the first produced by the White company with a rotary shaped disk wheel. That is how it got its name. Some of these machines ...
Explore bustlelady's 1606 photos on Flickr!
Everybody has her own favorite miniaturist, I think? As there are many of you I admire deeply, there is one miniaturist I find realy AMAZING!!!! I follow her for some years now and wanted to share the link to her side and blog! I have asked her permission to use some photos of her blog, to show you a little peak of her skills! Click here for her website! Click here for her blog!
Today was catch-up day… for Mom and I. She had edits due on her next Amish Book Fearless Hope, and I needed to take care of some much needed computer work. But the film crew waits for no man! Well, except for maybe the main character, they’re kind of crucial to the whole story thing, […]
Here are 60 ideas To Recycle Vintage Sewing Machines into various types of home decor accessories. We hope that some of these ideas will inspire you.
The moving story of how a sewing machine was passed through generations fro the last 150 years.
Sewing Machine Patent Model Patent No. 8,294, issued August 12, 1851Isaac Merritt Singer of New York, New YorkThe eighth child of poor German immigrants, Isaac Singer was born on October 27, 1811, in Pittstown, New York. As a young man he worked as a mechanic and cabinetmaker.
French antique sewing box - just lovely!
I did re-assemble the treadle today. It is pouring rain outside and the dogs and I are nestled in on the couch, so you will forgive me if I...
Hi Bloggie Friends, Do you have a "thing" for sewing implements, especially pretty ones? Well, I do-don't judge. My mom sewed lik...
Can I say before I get going, the following relates to my experiences with domestic machines. Industrial machines are slightly different beasts, but much of the following applies to them too. The …
Identifying sewing machine shuttles from the Barker Catalog, page 14