A little bit of making things has happened!

I have not had a good year of making things, have no idea why other than life sometimes gets in the way.

This past couple of weeks I have been a little more productive.

I finished off the coaster set for my daughter and got them mailed of to her in England.  The edges and backs were gum-tragged.  Weird word I know! It is a process where you smooth and harden the back and edges to finish them off.  Then I gave them a really good polish and sheen.

I did some stitching of leather on my newly restored Standard sewing machine for my husband. 

 

My next little project was to hand sew a Christmas tree ornament for my good friend and neighbour. 

I had decided not to have a tree up this year.  We strung the Christmas lights around the room and put out some Christmassy things but it was niggling at me that there was no tree, even though it was my choice not to have one.  I compromised and bought out the tiny tree.

And finally, I made a selection of Christmas bags in various sizes to save me from having to wrap presents.  Again, on my Standard 1500 machine. (It is such a pleasure to use). It seems that simple and easy is becoming a way of life for me. They can be used for many years.

As it is unlikely I will be posting again in the next week or so, I wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Safe, Healthy, Happy and Prosperous New Year.

The new to me machine is up and running

I had decided to try and put the sewing machine in the existing cabinet in the sewing room.  I took the machine and electronics out of it's original cabinet and bought it into the house and up to my sewing room. I tried to fit it in the cabinet but the hinges didn't line up quite right and it wouldn't fold into the cabinet. The wheel made it too wide for the hole on the right side but the machine didn't go to the edge of hole on the left side.

I set about modifying it. It isn't the prettiest of jobs. I didn't have the means or ability to make new holes for the machine hinges so I just widened one so they would fit. Then I widened the hole on the right side so the machine could fold into the cabinet.  I had to add a strip of wood to the front the piece of wood at the front of the cabinet that lifts up to allow the machine to be raised. It lays back down for the machine to sit on. I didn't do anything about the space on the left of the machine. That is just cosmetic. The whole cabinet really needs sanding down, re-staining and varnishing but I am not up for that.  It is perfectly functional as it is. My days of wanting perfection are long gone!

I cleaned and oiled the machine, attached the electronics into the cabinet and set the machine in it.

That is just a brief summary, there  was quite a lot of work involved and I realise that I am not really up to it any more so this will be my last old sewing machine restoration.

When I took the original felt off it I expected there to be scratches where the previous owner had used the felt to put pins in.....I was right!  I personally do not use a felt thingy on any of my machines but I did make one to put on this machine just to cover the existing scratches.

The end plate and back plate are very pretty.

It also has a control that you use with the side of your leg as opposed to a foot pedal.  I guess if the cable was long enough it could be used as a foot pedal but I am no electrician so I didn't want to rewire it so I attached it to the right side of the well on the cabinet and I actually really like using it as opposed to a foot pedal.

The tension took a bit of sorting out but I have it done now so she is ready to use.

The machine is a gem and purrs like a kitten. It will be my 'go to' machine unless I need to do any fancy patterned stitching. Having it in the cabinet is great and very convenient.

Other than the machine I worked on making coasters for my daughter's Christmas present.  She had requested some. It was a joint effort, my husband did the staining and he gave them an antique look. She didn't want them all to be identical.

I just have to finish smoothing the backs and edges and they will be ready to mail to her in England.

I am trying to rustle up some Christmas spirit.  We did put up some lights on the front porch and I plan to decorate inside this weekend and put up the tree.  Then cards will be written and mailed.  Presents are all being bought online and delivered directly. It will be a quiet Christmas here but we will have presents and good food so all will be good.