Mabel. A restoration project!

Meet Mabel!

She's a vintage 118 year old girl. 

A Singer 28k sewing machine from 1901.

Mabel was given to my girls by their father a few years ago when he found it hiding in a very battered suitcase under a pile of junk in the loft of a property he bought. He knew I had just bought electric machines for them to start them on their sewing journey, but thought they could use this one when they stayed with him. At the time, I knew they would not be able to work a heavy vintage machine like this without lots of help and guidance but, rather than let him take it to the tip, I took it in and it has been sat on display in our dining room ever since.

Originally a hand-crank, Mabel was converted to a motorised machine by Singer at some point during the 70's.

I gingerly switched her on when I first got her and was relieved that she didn't blow up and amazed that the light still worked!

 

I knew she needed a good clean, service and oil but was wary of the motor, it made an awful noise and barely turned the flywheel so I knew something needed looking at there! All her moving parts work, nothing has seized up and she was clearly well looked after during her working life, she has a few chips and marks and isn't as shiny as she once would have been but it's nice to think that she has history.

Fast forward to now and I have decided to restore Mabel to her former pre-motor self. After researching, I have discovered that it is an easy job to remove the motor and add the hand crank handle, so after a bit of a search I have purchased a used handle from Ebay along with some bobbins as she takes the long rare type!

We named her Mabel after my Granny. I learnt to sew as a young child and was taught by both my Mum and Granny. Granny had a hand-crank Singer machine (a bit younger than this one) and that is the machine I learnt to sew on which really started my love of sewing, I can remember using it as a child when I used to stay at my grandparents during summer holidays. There is something about the oily smell of a vintage sewing machine and as soon as I opened up this machine all those lovely memories came flooding back!

                          

 


I am excited about this restoration project and look forward to sharing my progress :)

Happy sewing, Sharon

Posy Pleated Pants

I'm back with another Rebecca Page pattern make, this time it's the Posy Pleated Pants

I'll be honest, I wasn't entirely sure about this style of trouser on me but I like the long flowy look on others so decided I'd give them a try.

I decided to make the full length version with the sash and found this coffee coloured polka dot crepe viscose fabric which I thought gave them a vintage beach pyjama look....I did plan on getting some pics at the beach but the weather typically changed!

The pattern is available in ladies, child and even doll size so you can go matchy matchy all round if you wish :)

Now, I've been sewing for over 35 years and have sewn with a large variety of fabric types but crepe viscose is always a challenge for me! I wasn't surprised, the fabric wanted to misbehave right from the start so lots of weights required to hold the pattern in place while I cut and lots of clips to help stitch those seams straight!

Thankfully the pattern instructions, as always, are very clear and thorough, with pictures to help at every step so the construction was very easy.

The seams are all french seamed which gives a very neat and tidy finish on both the inside and out. The pattern comes with very clear instructions how to do a french seam if you are unsure.

If you are looking for a comfortable, wide legged, flowy trouser then go get the Posy pattern! They also have an elasticated back waist too, perfect after all that Easter chocolate.... ;)

I've got another make to share so back again very soon!

Happy sewing....

Sharon


I was kindly given this pattern for free by Rebecca Page to sew up for promotion.  The fabric, thoughts and opinions are my own.  

My first make as Brand Ambassador for Rebecca Page sewing patterns.

Just over a month ago, I got the really exciting news that I’d been accepted as a Brand Ambassador for rebecca-page.com sewing patterns. This means that I am generously provided with free sewing patterns, and then I get to sew them up, review and share the makes with you.  

This beautiful Unicorn Pillow is my first Rebecca Page make. It is a beginner level pattern and the pdf instructions are very thorough and easy to follow with clear pictures at every step.

I used purple velvet, pretty trims and ribbons to create this pillow for my purple-loving eldest daughter. I love that you can embellish the mane and unicorn horn to create your own magical look!

Better still, the pdf pattern is currently a freebie on the website, go get your copy here https://rebecca-page.com/product/unicorn-pillow-sewing-pattern/ 

I need to make another pillow now for my youngest and maybe a few ready for birthday invites from school friends, I think they would make a lovely gift!

I have several more sewing makes planned and will share them once finished.

Happy sewing

Sharon

I was kindly given this pattern for free by Rebecca Page to sew up for promotion.  The fabric, thoughts and opinions are my own. 
   

Back soon......

Well, it's been a few years since I updated my blog.....life on my own with 2 young children took over and keeping my blog updated had to take a rest...

My children are now 6 years older and almost self-sufficient ;) therefore I thought it time to resurrect my blog.

These days I have returned to my first love of sewing. I have been sewing for almost 40 years since I was a young child and over the years it has always been one of my many creative interests! I still have too many creative hobbies but sewing is now my focus.

I love to create clothes for my children and myself and know that they will fit, be unique and are made to last! I love how proud my children are to show off their mama-made things and both girls have a keen interest in sewing too ❤

I hope to share a make here at least monthly but if life gets in the way that's ok :)

Back with my latest make soon....

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #104 Paper piecing

Happy Monday everyone,

Welcome to our latest challenge over at Crafty Cardmakers, hosted by Viv, who has chosen the theme 'Paper Piecing'

Viv would like to see something paper pieced on your project. You could, for example, paper piece a flower, part of your image such as a character's clothing, you could even paper piece an animal image for a funky look.. I am sure you can think of other ideas! 

Please ensure that your creation has paper piecing on it in order to qualify for the winner or top 5 slot. 

PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE RULES BEFORE ADDING YOUR CREATION AND CHECK IT MEETS THE CRITERIA AS LAID OUT ABOVE - ANY ENTRY NOT COMPLYING WILL UNFORTUNATELY BE REMOVED 

We are sponsored by 

SATURATED CANARY

with two of their fabulous digis

and also by
WOODWARE

So, here is my Design Team inspiration for the challenge:

I have paper-pieced a hedgehog using the Docrafts Woodland Friends die, cutting the parts out from different coloured paper and then layering them up to make the cute little creature. I have had this die for years and this is the first time I have used it!

The background was made by running a Darice embossing folder through my Big Shot and then inking over with Walnut Stain distress ink. 

That's all for now,please pop over to the challenge blog and take a peek at the fab work my my fellow teamies. 

Back again soon x

Challenge 103 at Crafty Cardmakers - Monochromatic Purple

Happy Monday everyone, hope you all survived the storm last night with no major damage. We were all prepared here after all the warnings but thankfully not even a fence panel down.....will take a stroll down to the beach later and see how the sea is looking today.

Anyway, down to business...

Welcome to our latest challenge, hosted by Fiona, who has chosen the theme of Purple. 

As purple is Fiona's favourite colour, she would like to see cards/projects that are all or mostly purple. Hair/skin colours are also allowed.

Please ensure that your creation is only in shades of purple plus hair and skin colours in order to qualify for the winner or top 5 slot. 

PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE RULES BEFORE ADDING YOUR CREATION AND CHECK IT MEETS THE CRITERIA AS LAID OUT ABOVE - ANY ENTRY NOT COMPLYING WILL UNFORTUNATELY BE REMOVED 

We are sponsored by

DI'S DIGISTAMPS
with a $10 GIFT VOUCHER

and 

HOBBY ART

with this fabulous prize:-

A beautiful sheet of clear stamps

and a gorgeous wood mounted stamp

Here's my creation:

I've used a Marianne to cut the fan from deep purple card and a pale lilac pearlescent paper. The tassle and flower were coloured purple using alcohol ink. Purple gems add a hint of sparkle. This is not my usual type of creation so it made a change to do this - the die was bought completely on impulse and now I have to come up with other ways of using it to justify my moment of madness!!! It looks pretty sitting on the shelf in my craft room though....

Now,why not head over to the Challenge blog and admire the fab work of my teamies....and of course please play along yourself! The challenge runs for the next 2 weeks.

Thanks for looking everyone, hopefully back soon - my broadband has been misbehaving over several weeks now but seems to have sorted itself so hopefully normal service can resume! 

Sharon xx

Crafty Cardmakers Challenge #102 Shabby Chic

Hi everyone

Welcome to our latest challenge, hosted by BettyC, who has chosen the theme 'Shabby Chic'

BettyC would like to see any creation, scrapbook page, altered art, card that is 'shabby chic'

PLEASE BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THE RULES BEFORE ADDING YOUR CREATION AND CHECK IT MEETS THE CRITERIA AS LAID OUT ABOVE - ANY ENTRY NOT COMPLYING WILL UNFORTUNATELY BE REMOVED 

We are sponsored by

 MILK COFFEE DIGITAL STAMPS

WITH A PRIZE OF 5 DIGIS FROM THEIR STORE

And also by

SIR STAMPALOT

with this fabulous prize:-

Here is my take on the challenge:

I have used Marianne dies to cut the birdcage, bird and the pretty corner in the background paper. The card base and birdcage were cut from kraft card then smooshed over with Picket Fence Distress Stains. The bird is cut from a scrap of canvas and painted cream. A pretty muted background paper, bow, pearls, flowers and a key charm painted over with the Distress Stains completes the vintage shabby chic look. The lovely sentiment makes this a perfect New Home card for my good friend Sue.

Now please head on over to the challenge blog and admire the fab work of my teamies. The challenge runs for the next 2 weeks so why not take part?

That's all for now

Thanks for looking

Sharon xx