Storage solution . . . . rent a unit ???

We've all run into the problem, where to put "the stuff".  Not just fabric, but tools, thread, rulers, and of course leftovers.

Left over blocks, left over pieces, left over strips, ad infinitum.  You get the picture.

First I collected specialty tins, which I adore.  Then the Dollar Store came along with its vast array of bins and boxes.  Sadly, the variety of shapes and sizes did little to portray a sense of tidiness.


For years the mayhem continued . . .

Until Friday, when I found $1.00 photo boxes at the big W-M store.  End of season closeout, very limited color selection.  I filled the cart.

At checkout, the clerk said, "you must have a lot of photos".  LOL!



Until I began arranging, I had no idea how much thread there was.

Now I've moved on to baggies.  The hope of course being, when I have a few minutes of time, I can simply pull out a labeled box and begin sewing.

This 12-year-old baggie project would not fit in a box, so yesterday I sat down and sewed.  YES, "stop the presses" . . . I sewed a big quilt.

Happy New Year to ME!

Now it's back to organizing.

Here's wishing all of YOU a Sew-Full and far less cluttered New Year.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Yeah, I finished it!

 This year, I decided not to be a silly bunny

and hop from store to store on Christmas eve trying to find "the perfect present."

So I thought and I planned and finally I sewed.

For the smaller bag on the right, I owe a great deal of thanks to The Pink Penguin.

She ever so kindly set up a tutorial and I made a test run to verify the dimensions.

The bag on the right is 2" larger in height and width.  I also lengthened the handles on each.

The neon yarn fabric came from Mary Jo's in Gastonia.  If it's not on their web site you can call, perhaps it's still in stock.  I bought mine at the end of October.

To the drawstring ribbon on the smaller bag I added a few beads for weight and a bit of bling or perhaps a better word would be bauble.  

The interfacing is a fairly heavy one and took some time to firmly iron down.  Of course all fabric was pre-starched heavily prior to cutting.  The lining is 100% cotton, not vinyl.

I'm very happy with the results and now I want to make one for me, but with pockets on the outside and inside.

Dolly is very glad I'm out of the sewing room and back in the kitchen baking goodies.  Even if they're not for her, she'd rather smell something cooking.

Wherever you are or will be this holiday season, Dolly and I would like to wish you joy, wonderful friends, good food and safe travels.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

John C. Campbell Folk School Fireside Sale

On Sunday, I made it over to the Fireside Sale where several friends exhibit each year.  Sadly, for a variety of reasons, there were only half as many vendors as usual.

The Garland Dancers, swinging in the holiday season. 

Hand carved and hand painted thread spool Santa by Helen Gibson.  They come in different sizes.  To order your very own, just e-mail me.  Helen does not have a web site, but I do have her phone number.

Beautiful porcelain pottery by Marsha Bugg. 

Wonderful shaker oval boxes by Mr. Lenton Williams of Wattsville, Alabama.  Please e-mail me for his contact info.

Hand forged hammers and tools by Elmer Roush, a long time resident of the area.    Elmer and his lovely wife, Linda, also do custom blacksmithing work such as gates and fencing.  They are a very talented team.

And next up, lovely prints of local scenes.   My dear friend Suzy is incredibly gifted and I always enjoy seeing what she's been working on.

If you're seeking a distinctive gift for the man in your life, look no further.  Jim Craig had some of the finest pieces I've ever seen.  Handles were made from exotic woods, deer antler, turquoise, and even dinosaur bone.

Bright colored pottery mugs and novelties by Rob Withrow.  Another long-time resident of the area, Rob is best known for his large hand turned pieces.

and last, but certainly not least, hand punched pictures, each unique and wonderful.

I hope you'll mark your 2015 calendar for the first Sunday in December in order to stop in next year and support the amazing talent this area is known for.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

The solution was simple

It turns out, the bobbin hook was in the wrong place.  On both machines.

 It must be top and center,

 So when the throat plate is installed, the hook portion fits in the center space.

 That's all there was to it.

After reading extensive internet information and watching various YouTube videos, I did learn about throat plate burrs.  The screwdriver points to the location which was sanded down.  I imagine needles abraded the area through the years.  A nail file will work just as well for light sanding.

Many thanks to everyone who e-mailed and checked back with me.

Now that it's thoroughly cleaned, oiled, and ready to go, I plan on using my Featherweight more often.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

I've tracked down some new information.

Sometimes it's a matter of finding the right article and I'm hoping this works.

http://www.tandtrepair.com/Singer221/221LGR.pdf

So far, I've managed to remove the entire bobbin case unit.  Now I just need to find my Dremel.

After that, it's a matter of getting all the pieces back together.   Wish me luck.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Does anyone know how to fix a featherweight?

Three-fourths of my precious Saturday vacation time was spent trying to sew.

On either featherweight.  After sewing for about 30 minutes, the first one totally stopped.

I cleaned, I oiled, I checked, I read the book.  To no avail.

I brought out the second one and repeated the process.

I've changed the needle, the bobbin, and even adjusted the tension.

I've even switched thread brands.

You see, everything runs fine, until I put the thread in.  Then, after turning the wheel counter clockwise to bring the bobbin thread up, it gets jammed.  No matter if the presser foot is up or down, it still gets Stuck, with a capital S that goes with SEW, but it's a NO GO.

On-line tutorials were examined and NOTHING WORKED.

Even Dolly had little to say on the matter.

So I'm asking those in the know, any suggestions?

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Sending heartfelt Thanksgiving greetings to one and all.

San, Dolly, and the Bunz

We were just wondering . . .

How many of you had to scrape ice off of your windshield this morning?

 Yesterday Dolly decided the 20-30 degree temps were just right for a bit of sunbathing.  Notice the front paw blocking her eyes from the glare.  LOL!

 Last night I dedicated 2 hours to ironing and folding the bin of orange fabrics.  It actually took over 3, but that's okay.  One more color is ready for the cabinet shelf.

 Some of these will go in the sale pile.  I also have a whole bolt of yellow I'll be selling.  It's still in the wrapper.

 Gifted to me many years ago was this piece of Waverly.  We're considering whether this will work on the chair seats.  There's nothing more cheerful than bright, bold, BIG flowers.

 Slowly I'm collecting these thinner (14" x 14" x 3") $5.00 boxes from the craft section at the W-M store.  The idea is to make all my storage containers consistent in size and efficiency.  Creative Options is the brand name.  True, there are art boxes out there that come with handles, but only if you want to pay more.

During these wintry days, Dolly asked me to remind you to check on your furry ones living outside.  Hypothermia happens.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Did I hear the news right this morning . . .

All 50 states, including Hawaii, hit temperatures below freezing last night?

We're at 17 this morning, but no snow thank goodness.  Now for those of you in Buffalo, NY, I can recommend a real estate agent who handles rentals if you can dig your way out and want to hide down here for the winter.

Five feet of snow in Buffalo.  I can't even imagine.

Now on to last week's news.  The sewing room project.

 I've been hauling these chairs around for many, many years.  My mom painted this one around 1970.  Curiously I'm using almost the same color. ,

 A thrift store carryall got a new coat.

 Spray painting wood is harder than spray painting metal.  It takes a deft touch.  And yes, I'm allowed to get it on the porch since the porch will be sanded and refinished next spring.

Two chairs are done.  Currently waiting for 60 temps to return (hah) so I can complete the third.  Gluing them takes the longest.

Oasis Blue by Rust-Oleum.  Good stuff, but not cheap.

Stay warm and safe everyone.  Please keep a box of ice cream salt handy to sprinkle your elderly neighbor's icy steps and walkway won't you.  They can slip and break a hip all to easily on ice.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

Are you seeing snow flurries outside your window this morning?

I sure am.  It must be time to decorate for Christmas.

I started with a blue and white theme this year, pulling out my Liberty Blue china.

 The Santa plate my Aunt Eleanor gave my mom years ago.

And the stained glass angels my dad made. 

 You may remember this Debbie Mumm pattern.

Cozy red themed quilts were added to the great room.

And the table runner I made for my mom is on the harvest table.

Once I can pull out the bins full of other decorations, I'll be able to finish up.

How is your house coming along?  Have you started your gift shopping yet or are you making all the presents this year?

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .

If my ISO is set at 1600,

 What should the F stop be set at?  And where, oh where is that button?

 Reminds me of the Little Ol' Lady Who Lived in a Shoe

 With so many buttons on my Nikon, I'm never quite sure what to do.

 The babies don't care though, they just want their apples.

 Yesterday's high was 61.  Today, HAH, not nearly.  We hit 38 this morning.  I know I shouldn't complain.  Blogging pal Judy said they hit -5 last night in Colorado.  Brrrr

My professional window cleaning neighbor came last week and washed my windows, inside and out. I LOVE my view.

Some of you have been asking about the sewing room project.  Sad to say, it's still a work in progress. I've begun sorting fabric.  Some will be put away and some will go in the sale pile.

Yup, you heard that right, I'll be thinning out the stash . . . and the books  . . . and the strips and the squares.  We're paring down and that's a good thing.  Stay tuned.

I've also been taking fabric off of bolts and have emptied 120 so far.  Cardboard takes up space. Some had only 2 yards or so.  Some larger pieces will be saved for backings, but most all the plaids will be sold and several flannel pieces too.

Stay warm everyone and drive safely in the fluffy white stuff.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . .