On sewing and cozies
(I honestly thought I had posted this, but I guess I thought about it long enough it my head that it became reality. It happens a LOT.)
My new $5 sewing machine? SEWS LIKE A DREAM.
Yes, that is all-caps worthy. If you were here, I’d really be shouting. It even impressed Ron, who – to be fair – was giving me the old eye-roll when I told him I bought another machine. But he also knows how cranky my regular one is, and he knows how to use a machine, so we set it up together and gave it a whirl.
He says the first hum of the motor is what made him happy. “Good deal, dear.” Then he gave me a thumbs up, I love that man.
The machine is so quiet, especially compared to my two others. And it’s heavy as all get out, I can barely lift it. Although my right arm feels better, I can’t hardly lift a thing with it anymore. Heavy is good, as that means all metal parts, not like the plastic crap produced today. I’m still going to break it down and give it a good oiling, just in case.
I still need to take a picture, but it’s from the early sixties at least, is a Brother with no model number, and does one stitch. Well, it also goes in reverse. But when you think about it, straight stitching is 80-90% of what I’ve been sewing lately. (Hello? And quilts!) Honestly, once I figured out what every button did on my other machine, I hardly use ‘em now.
So today I was messing around on the other machine in the craft room. I have yet to move the new one in, that’s why. I was
pondering the problem I’ve been having with the domed traditional tea cozies. I like them lined and I’ve been making them so. If I stack them all and serge the seam, then there’s an ugly serged seam on the inside. So what I’ve been doing is to sew the batting and lining together, then separately sew the two outside together, and then turn the outside layer over top of the inside & batting. Sometimes this is tricky as things don’t line up or get off center. Other times I’ve tried sewing the batting and outsides together, then the lining, but you still have the same turn-slip problem. I’d even been adjusting them properly over a metal tray I have, but it’s fiddly work.
The thing I tried today was just sewing the seam allowances of the lining and outside/batting parts together and then turning in the right spot. I had a total brain wave when I realized DUH I was sewing over two seams I had already sewn. With careful stacking and a turn in the right spot, I can have a fully lined traditional tea cozy with one seam. Faster construction time is *always* better, especially when you plan on selling your work.
Don’t worry if you can’t quite picture it, as in addition to selling the finished ones, I’ll be making a pattern available. The stacking is the real trick. Someday I WILL finish AtypicalShops, I swear. It’s on my list, really.
After the twelve clients I have to take care of first.
Maybe I should have another cup of tea and continue today’s work.
5 Responses to “On sewing and cozies”
I’ll pay you $100 shipping to send it to me in MI!!! LOL!
My Grandma still uses her manual pedaling, Cast Iron style, super heavy sewing machine. She just drops a few drops of oil on the various components, and it has lasted her, I’m guessing, for over 50 years. Sure beats those crappy warranties on the latest High-Tech machines we have today huh?
I bought a used BabyLock esante from my aunt. It’s high tech, has all the bells and whistles, does embroidery and a hundred different stitches. Okay, I don’t know how many stitches it does because I only use TWO. And I’ve never used the embroidery stuff. All those extras just make me feel guilty that I am not using it to its potential.
Gotta love those Ah-ha moments. Congrats on finding yours and on the fantastic machine, too.
My grandmother-in-law has on old Singer from the 40’s or 50’s. Sews beautifully as well. One day I saw the case for it and kicked myself. Not a week ago I’d seen the same case in a garage sale but never investigated further.
I’ve got a rather new Kenmore but don’t know what to do with it.