Friday, March 31, 2017

New Bag, Old Pattern

I have a bag that my sister made for me years ago that is the perfect size for my laptop, folders of papers to grade, or books to return to the library. I have used the bag on car trips, to store knitting projects, and to stuff seed packets into at the annual seed swap.  For a couple years now I knew I wanted another bag, but this time I was going to have to learn how to make it myself.  A couple weekends ago I was in MN visiting my sister and family and we took a quick trip to a quilt store that was closing. While my sister perused fabrics for new bedroom curtains, I wandered the aisles trying not to think up 100 new projects that I wanted to start immediately. As we were getting ready to leave, we saw a sample bag hanging near the front desk and my sister recognized it as the same one she had made me years ago. When we got back to her house, she was able to find the original pattern/directions and I knew I had my next project. 
Upon returning to Chicago, I checked the fabric stash for remnants and this floral upholstery fabric called out to become a bag.  Another bright red fabric would work well for the lining. Both fabrics came from estate or garage sales.
"Hitchcock Stencil" pattern by Waverly Fabrics

Floral pattern looks smaller here than on finished bag
I used the kitchen floor to lay out fabric for cutting. Sometimes it's a bit difficult to work on my knees, but it does give me a nice clear work surface. My Bernina 830 was sitting on the table calling for a project, so I decided to see what she would do with the thicker fabric. For the most part she sewed effortlessly, but there were a couple hiccups when I was sewing through the bag, lining, and straps at the end. That did get to be a pretty thick pile of fabric.
Starting to sew the bag

Three sides sewn with bottom corners cut out

The process was repeated for the lining.
Bag and lining inside out
Next I made the straps.  The pattern suggested using webbing for handles, but I had just enough of the floral fabric to make fabric handles to match the bag so I went with that.
I like that the red stitching shows

The lining was then sewn into the bag and the handles were secured between the bag and the lining.
Everything has to be pinned into place accurately

The finished bag:



Inside the bag

My original bag my sister made is still a step up from mine because she put in an interior pocket and a magnetic closer for the top.  I'll have to add those improvements next time. 

Thursday, March 30, 2017

Singer 403A and 401A

It was a cold and rainy day and a not-so-perfect day to drive down from Benton Harbor, MI to pick up a sewing machine. D didn't want to waste any time though, he was excited to pick up the 403A he has just purchased. Rain and traffic managed to delay D by about 30 minutes from our meeting time, but he was still very enthusiastic when he arrived.
Machine D purchased
As we were talking, D mentioned that his wife had found the listing for the 401A on ebay and was quick to purchase it.  I heard him say 401A and I had to clarify .  The machine we were looking at was a 403A in a table.  That was the machine that was listed and purchased.  D said that he had not read the listing closely, and asked what the difference was between a 403A and a 401A.  A fellow sewing friend had recommended the 401A to him for sewing clothes and that's what he thought he wanted. I happened to have a 401 in a case that I brought out and we compared the machines.
401A that D thought he was buying
The 403A has separate pattern cams that were included and the 401 has built-in decorative stitches.
Built-in stitches for the 401A

D said he was also hoping to use the double needle in the 401. He also preferred the portable case to the table so he was definitely interested in changing his original purchase. We discussed a price as the 40A had not even been listed for sale and I think both walked away happy with the new sale.

I told my husband how lucky it was that we happened to have D's desired 401A in the collection and could make the switch, but I'm not sure that was enough to sell him on why we still have some many machines. There are so many sewers and collectors who are looking for a treasured machine or machines and I love playing matchmaker.  I hope I get to do this for a long time.

Saturday, March 4, 2017

Two Machines Find Their New Home

J contacted me about a machine I had listed on Craigslist.  She was interested in the Dressmaker SWA-2000 to replace her machine that had recently been in for repair.  J had been using her machine regularly to make bags and now rag rugs and her Brother could not keep up.  When she took the machine in for repair, the repair man suggested she look for an older machine that was all metal and would be able to handle the extra thick fabric.  I think she got good advice there.
Everything is blue, even the foot control
When J came to look at the machine, she brought along her current project so that she could see how each machine worked with it. It's always a good idea to bring along a swatch or two of material that you like to sew on so you can get a feel for how a machine handles the fabric. J was finishing putting together a rag rug and she was looking for something that could handle sewing through very thick braids. I had four machines out to look at and we worked our way through each one.  Originally, it looked like none of the feet would lift high enough to clear the braid. That was a disappointing start. While we were talking though, I tried out the darning foot on one of my Berninas and saw that it provided more clearance between the foot and feed dogs. When I tried pushing up on the foot bar, I found that there was another 1/4 to 1/2 inch of play in the bar too, so this would definitely clear the braid. We went back and tried lifting the foot bar on each machine and 3 of the 4 gave us enough room to get the rug braid under the presser foot. Fortunately, the Dressmaker was one of the three and J was happy it could be her top choice again. She didn't want to pass up all that lovely blue and the notable chrome dials.
After she had decided on the Dressmaker, J mentioned that she would also be in the market for a free-arm machine.  I brought out a couple and the first one she tried worked well. It was a New Home machine that came with its own manual and its own suitcase.  It has a few decorative stitches and a built-in buttonholer.  J was planning to use the free arm for sewing bags and linings.
Packed snuggly away
So, when J left we carried two machines out to her car.  I asked her to let me know how things work out with the machines.  I always like to hear what projects people are working on with their new toys. Later that afternoon, J sent a pic of the Dressmaker at home in its new cabinet.  I think it looks very pleased with its new surroundings.

Already hard at work on that rag rug
Happy sewing to you J!  I hope you enjoy both machines.