My Singer 15-91

 

So my newest machine (to me), I bought about a week ago. It's a Singer 15-91. It was manufactured around 1950 in Anderson, South Carolina. It's a special edition machine to commemorate 100 years of manufacturing. The blue badge says "A Century of Sewing Service 1851-1951".

My vintage machine dealer says that this is the best straight line sewing machine that's ever been manufactured. That's why I bought this machine. As you know, I've been sewing a lot of bags lately. I needed a machine that would sew multiple layers of different types of materials - specifically cork and pleather.

Where my 347 machine could sew through multiple layers of materials and make the bags I wanted, it protested greatly and I had to help with the hand crank during particularly thick seams, etc. My 15-91 - sews through all these layers like butter! She's a dream! She sewed through 8 layers of cork with no problem whatsoever.

I've named this machine Ora Bell, after my great grandmother on my mom's side. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Singer 401a

I bought my next vintage machine about a month ago. It's a Singer model 401a.

 

It was manufactured in Anderson, South Carolina about 1960. It weighs 22 pounds. The reason I bought it is that my other beige Singer 404 only does a straight stitch. This one has cams and does zig zag and 20+ different stitches. I use my zig zag stitch all the time, so it's nice to have 2 machines that can do zig zag. (In case one machine is out of order or in need of servicing).

This machine is a perfect complement to my 404 (my mom's beige machine). This one is also a slant needle machine, so the attachments and feet for both machines work interchangeably. I haven't named her yet - but I was thinking about Martha 2.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My Singer 347

 My next vintage machine is my beloved Singer model 347. It was manufactured in 1967. The machine is all metal, except for a plastic spool pin. It weighs about 17 pounds. This one does a straight stitch and a zig-zag and is a great machine for when I make bags . I purchased this machine in about 2014, when I saw it on the shelf of my vintage machine man, Bernie. He used to buy and sell machines, as well as service them. I named this machine Betty, in honor of my aunt, who has been like a second mother to me. 

 

 

My Singer 404 machine

 Many of you may know that I love my vintage sewing machines. I've just gotten 2 new (to me) machines in the last month. So I thought I'd share some about each of my machines over the next week. Today is my beige Singer model 404. It was manufactured in Elizabethport, New Jersey in 1958. The machine is made out of die case aluminum and weighs 18 pounds. This one only does a straight stitch, but it's so quiet and makes such a nice stitch and is heavy duty. This is the one that I bring to retreats, unless I'm bag making, then I bring a zag zag machine. My mom purchased this machine new in 1958. She used to carry the machine (with the wooden/vinyl case - 24 pounds) on the elevated train in Chicago to work so she could take her free sewing classes after work. And she gave this beautiful machine to me. I named my machine Martha, in honor of her.

 

 

Redwood Tote - salmon flowers

 So I finished the third Redwood Tote bag that I had started a few weeks ago at a retreat. Like I said previously, in each of the totes that I've made, Ive been experimenting with different materials and fabrics. In this tote, I used a canvas/linen exterior. Cork strap, strap anchors and base. Then I used rose gold hardware. For a fusible interfacing, instead of the normal Shapeflex, I tried using thin fusible fleece. It worked really well. Gave a much softer feel to this purse. This was also the first time I tried making a strap out of cork. It was difficult to work with and extremely thick. Even my 1967 Singer was struggling. And on the strap, I taught myself how to put rivets in. I'm extremely pleased with how it turned out. On to the next bag........

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Strawberry Garden month 3

 Over the weekend, I was able to work on my Sauder Village block of the month. We're working from a book called "Strawberry Garden" by Fig Tree Quilts. We're on month 3, which multiple blocks per month. Some of the blocks are pretty small, but the results are better when I take my time.

 

 

Redwood Tote Bag - oriental fabrics

 While I was sewing with friends last week, I made another Redwood Tote Bag. For this one, I used some oriental fabric. Also, instead of the regular interfacing, I tried fusible foam. It worked great! The only issue is that when you quilt the foam sandwich, it shrinks. So net time, I know to quilt the pieces first, then trim them to the correct size. I even tried some fussy cutting - notice I got the crane in 2 different optimal places. I used antique gold hardware by Sallie Tomato. And I used waxed canvas for the strap, bottom and strap handle attachments.