Monday, March 18, 2013

Meet my machine(s)



                                                      The Tilted Quilt

I have been noticing all over blogland bloggers sharing their sewing machines as well as their sewing space with Stacey as the hostess for this fun little hop so I decided I would play along , after all I love my sewing machines , each and every one of them . How many you might ask , well I will only count those in this room at this time so lets see ....10 ,oops forgot my serger so make that 11. Did I hear a gasp , well truth be known there are more but for now I will share the main sewing machines that I use on a regular  basis.
This is my Pfaff 7550 , I do not name my machines but there is a story behind this machine. I believe the year was 2000 and we were going on a trip to the US so I decided I would do an online search for a sewing machine that I could possibly buy when we were there ,I knew what I was looking for and after quite sometime I came across an ad in a newspaper outside of Chicago so we called the number and I bought this machine sight on seen as it was far removed from where we were travelling but I felt quite comfortable even though I had never done any thing like this before , the gal on the other end owned a quilt shop and gave us the web address to check her out so we agreed on the price and the machine was shipped and arrived while we were away and I have been very happy with this machine . My favorite thing about this machine is the even feed foot , wonderful!
 Next is my favorite machine the Bernina 440 QE , I had wanted this machine since they were first introduced and my hubby bought this for me about 2 years ago .

Here it is all covered up with a sewing machine cover I made just after I got the machine , I wanted to be sure to protect it.
This machine is set down inside an old kitchen table, Bill cut the hole just the right size for another machine I had at the time and thankfully this machine also fits and I love all that extra space when machine quilting , not fancy for sure and it could use a coat of varnish but it works ;-)  Although I have not used the BSR foot much it was one of the reasons I wanted this machine and maybe if I practiced I would get the hang of it . What I like most about this machine is , well everything , but the stitch quality is wonderful and it was an easy machine to learn  which is a good thing as the lady who I purchased this through became ill just after my purchase so I never did get lessons . One of the questions is what do I wish this machine had that it doesn't , the answer would be more throat space . I would definitely recommend this machine to anyone , it is a wonderful machine as is the Pfaff .
If I could have any machine that I wanted , oh that would be the Bernina 850 , all that throat space and all those features but unless I win the lotto that is not about to happen ;-)
So now you have seen what machines I use on a regular basis I will show you some machines that are simply ornaments in my room , some gifts from our son Roger and some from Bill , each one special but none of them are used .At the time Roger was picking up these vintage machines it was common to find them for $10-15 but that doesn't happen anymore , they now put them up for auction at the Thrift stores .

 Yeah they are at the top of my bookcase , the first in this line up is a vintage Kenmore ,next a Singer then a pretty blue White machine .Oh the red box is actually a little mend stitcher , can't imagine it did much but it looks good.
The green machine is a Singer ,(love that color) and the black is a machine from Macy's and Co. .

This little cutie is a Bernina that I paid a whopping $5 for at a yard sale out in the country , it does work.
This one is a Singer 99K , similar to the Featherweight machine in size , I love this machine and wish it worked.

This Singer is slightly bigger than the previous machine , adorable too :-)
 I also have a Husqvarna serger but did not bother to photograph it and out in my entry is a treadle machine which was my husbands grandmothers a real special machine. I learned to sew on a Singer Featheweight which was my Mom's and my sister now owns it . My first machine was a Kenmore set in a lovely cabinet but I no longer own it , it was a great machine and I am sure is still working well today .
Would you like to see where I store my fabric and where I work from .Ok
I actually posted recently about this new to me cabinet and it is a wonderful place to store fabrics and also some of my threads are stored in one of the top drawers  .This cabinet became mine when the owners decided to move back to Scotland where this beauty originated from , it was once in a linen shop but I think it works best for my fabrics ;-) Next to this cabinet is a wicker dresser that also houses some of my ever growing stash and then on the other side of  my Bernina is a white pantry cabinet also with fabric but much neater now that I have the above cabinet. I have a design wall on the other side of this cabinet which at the moment is holding my nine patch blocks along with some other six inch blocks that I am combining .
Here is my cutting table which I had made by a local cabinet maker , one of my most valuable pieces of furniture in this room,I seriously could not live without this space , it makes life so much easier and my back says thanks  each time I use it . Can you see the glass jar on the bookcase ,well I got this idea recently from Sharon , she showed us her storage idea for scraps .  I had this large cookie jar that wasn't getting much use these days with our boys all grown and gone so I followed Sharons' idea and it is now there to catch any squares I cut from left over fabrics when doing a project. The two boxes on the end hold postcards , the bottom one is cards I have received and the top cards that I have made ,I love making and sending postcards. Above this and to the left are shelves of various quilt books and magazines so you might say my room is filled with creativity just waiting to happen .Why not join in on the fun and share your sewing machines with us , you can link up here .,it is happening all week so come on we would love to see your sewing space.
Thanks for stopping by on this blustery Monday , winter is really hanging on here so it is a good day to quilt .
 hugs Sheila

27 comments:

  1. What a wonderful post! So nice to see all your machines highlighted here. And so great to see your sewing room...I feel so special since I have seen it in 'real life', but that was before that wonderful cabinet arrived. Love seeing your sewing room again with all its treasures!

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  2. Good afternoon Sheila!! It is not snowing here yet anyway....sunny but cold and windy. I love your post!! I need you to organize mine; I'm afraid.
    My daughter-in-law wants me to stip my room; paint it white and reorganize, I know that would update it so much too. But I don't have the desire to start that.lol We panelled the walls for a reason ....way back when. they are easy to clean!! lol ..But who knows,eh maybe one of these days. Lovely room and machines Sheila!!

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  3. Good afternoon Sheila!! It is not snowing here yet anyway....sunny but cold and windy. I love your post!! I need you to organize mine; I'm afraid.
    My daughter-in-law wants me to stip my room; paint it white and reorganize, I know that would update it so much too. But I don't have the desire to start that.lol We panelled the walls for a reason ....way back when. they are easy to clean!! lol ..But who knows,eh maybe one of these days. Lovely room and machines Sheila!!

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  4. Good afternoon Sheila!! It is not snowing here yet anyway....sunny but cold and windy. I love your post!! I need you to organize mine; I'm afraid.
    My daughter-in-law wants me to stip my room; paint it white and reorganize, I know that would update it so much too. But I don't have the desire to start that.lol We panelled the walls for a reason ....way back when. they are easy to clean!! lol ..But who knows,eh maybe one of these days. Lovely room and machines Sheila!!

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  5. Great collection! I love your cabinet, how nice to have a place to store everything out of sight.

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  6. Nice collection! Looks like a really great place to sew!

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  7. Great to peek into your sewing room and see all your machines. Love the new photo on your heading as well !

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  8. Wow, that is a lot of sewing machines, I enjoyed reading the stories about them.

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  9. Love that Sewing room & All your Special machines Sheila !! Thank you for the opportunity to have sewed with u in that room !!! Makes me want to buckle down & revamp my sewing/laundry room !!! Thanks for Sharing...Chat Soon !! Hugs

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  10. You may win the unofficial award for having the most machines! I love them all :) Thanks for linking up - the linky party is up all week so please invite all of your folks to join us. We are having so much fun!

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  11. Thanks for the tour & showing your machines Sheila. Hugs,xx

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  12. How fun to see around your sewing space and some of your machines... I would love to come and sit and stitch in there with you for a day...
    Hugz

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  13. I am loving your collection of machines!

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  14. I so love your sewing room Sheila. We have the same Bernie.

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  15. Thanks so much for the tour, Sheila. I loved every moment of it, especially seeing all your sewing machines.

    If ever you find that cabinet missing, you'll know where you'll be able to find it. Somewhere down the Valley!

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  16. Wonderful post Sheila, thanks!
    Your sewingroom is so cosy and you have great sewingmachines. I love your collection of old sewingmachines ☺
    Thanks for sharing!
    Liebe Grüße
    Bente

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  17. Your machine collection is amazing! So nice to see your wonderful sewing space. I can envision you creating another one of your awesome postcards at your cutting table. Thanks for sharing.

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  18. Love your machine and the Bernina 440 is one of my favourite also. Your sewing space leaves me breathless. Wow!Lovely

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  19. wow Sheila you have some awesome sewing room,love all your machines.xx

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  20. I love all your sewing machines! :0)

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  21. Your space is lovely. I'm so glad you linked up so we could enjoy a look around. All those fun machines too! I love it!

    I would really like to find a nice old treadle cabinet...I don't care if it has a machine, because I want it to be a piece of furniture in my very tiny, overcrowded living room. =) I would happily get rid of the tv stand. I'm not sure my hubby would agree, but I'm keeping my eyes open on CL for just the right price and a nice little piece of history!

    Have a great week!

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  22. Thank you for showong us around your sewing room.
    I also have the Bernina 440 and two other Berninas.. One I was given as a 21st gift from the family and the other I inherited when my Mum passed. Love all the machines and use them all.

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  23. What a fabulous post Sheila. I have gone a funny shade of green!!! haha!
    Cath @ Bits 'n Bobs

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  24. Sheila - how interesting! Yes I did gasp when you said how many machines you have but I enjoyed seeing them all and hearing the stories. So neat to see your sewing space too - it looks like it functions well and also seems well organised! I know you have many happy sewing hours there!

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  25. I loved seeing all of your machines, I have three and thought that was two to many. My main machine that I use every day is the same Bernina that you have and I love the BSR function. I used to have an old janome which I traded in on the Bernina and wish I kept that too as it was a lovely machine to applique on.

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  26. Hello Sheila,

    What a lovely collection!

    I'd love to visit you in real life and not just over the internet. I'd be climbing to the top of the bookcase to get that old Singer 15 down and trying it out for free motion quilting... There again, old motors can be scary.

    Come and visit my blog - treadles and hand machines only!

    Love from wet and rainy England,
    Muv

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  27. Oh my goodness - so many machines! LOL - wanna share? tee hee.
    Thank you so much for linking up with us for the blog hop - I hope you had as much fun writing your post as I did reading it!
    Best,
    Erin @ Sew at Home Mummy

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