Selvage Stool by Gail in Canada

Gail in Canada made this beautiful cover for the stool that goes with her grandmother's treadle sewing machine. Very nice! See more on her blog: www.thecozyquilter.blogspot.com.

Sewing Machine Look-Alike

I've had sewing machines on my mind lately and it looks like I'm not the only one. What kind of a monument do you think that is? Photo is from a site called "Totally Looks Like." Here's their link: http://totallylookslike.com/2009/07/15/this-monument-totally-looks-like-this-sewing-machine/

Blue Sewing Machine on Bing

I went to www.bing.com, entered "sewing machines" in the images box, and found this unusual antique blue machine, among many others.

So then I typed in my name and saw my portrait and a bunch of my quilts, Yikes! Search engines are scary smart.

Harry Berzack's Sewing Machine Collection

There is an interesting interview on Collector's Weekly with sewing machine collector Harry Berzack. He has one of the largest collections of sewing machines in the world. There are some amazing sewing machines pictured in the article (including the one above with the charming architectural structure). Visit this link:
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/an-interview-with-antique-sewing-machine-collector-harry-berzack/

Marky's Amazing Toy Sewing Machine Collection

Marky Kuba of Eau Claire, Wisconsin smiles every time she enters her quilt studio and sees her wonderful collection of 70 antique toy sewing machines. She bought them in the 1980's at tag sales and antique shops. One is just like the machine she had as a child. I wonder which one! Isn't this an amazing collection? I love how she arranged the colors. Thank you Marky for this photo. I'm inspired to start a little collection myself.

So That's How a Sewing Machine Works!

Click on the link below to see a moving picture of how a lockstitch works! You will love this.

http://inastrangeland.wordpress.com/2009/08/18/so-thats-how-it-works/#comment-5896

Hugs to the Charm Girls: Barbara, Helen, Ellen, Linda and Stephanie in Pennsylvania!

Short Arm Quilting Machine

"Can't afford a long arm quilting machine? Want that hand quilted look without spending all the time? The short-arm QUILTER is for you. This machine can hand quilt a king size quilt in minutes at over 3.5 sps (stitches per second).

Adjustable built in stitch regulator determines the stitch length. Choose from these 5 settings:
Import . . . 2 stitches per inch
10ft test . . 6 stitches per inch
Grandma. . 8 stitches per inch
Amish . . . 12 stitches per inch
Husband . . Inconsistant"

This was on Quilter's Warehouse, April Fool's Day 2008. Here is the link: http://quilterswarehouse.com/p-12098-short-arm-quilter-april-fools-08-by-af-enterprises.aspx

Thank you to Highway Cottage for telling us about this. Her blog is: http://www.highwaycottage.wordpress.com/.

Ideal Sewing Machine - 1920

Wow! All the interesting sewing machines you can find on the Internet! I'm choosing some of the best ones to show you. This one was made by the Ideal Sewing Machine Company Ltd. (UK) in 1920. It was patented by Leslie Salter. The spool of thread hangs horizontally on the rear of the arm. It has a clean modern look, doesn't it?

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=sewing+machine+factories+in+China+filterui%3aimagesize-large&qpvt=sewing+machine+factories+in+China&FORM=R5FD2#focal=105a9e973b2f023d37ee02cd93656371&furl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sewmuse.co.uk%2Fwarwick.jpg

Wanna See My New Old Sewing Machine?

If you've been reading the Selvage Blog lately you probably knew this was going to happen: I just bought this charming little sewing machine on eBay! You are the first one I'm telling! It's cast iron and measures only 7" x 7." They say the handle turns and it works, but I think I'll still use my Juki 98Q.

Antique or New - Just Can't Decide?

This is definitely a one-of-a-kind sewing machine! Just the thing for the quilter who has a warm place in her heart for the old Singers, but no, wait, maybe she wants a new machine. I found this photo on the Internet - just an attention grabber with lots of ads posted near it.
http://www.freakingnews.com/Sewing-Machine-Pictures-34886.asp

Antique European Toy Sewing Machines

When I saw Sylvie's toy sewing machines (see next post) I decided to take a look at some antiques. Where else can you see an instant collection but eBay? These are all currently up for auction. The green one is in Bulgaria, the black one is in the Netherlands, and the blue one is in the US (but made in Germany).

Can't you just imagine the many happy hours that were spent playing with these sewing machines? I'm thinking that an old toy sewing machine would look charming in my quilt studio. But so far, I'm just looking.

Sylvie's Toy Sewing Machines

Sylvie from France saw the recent post about toy sewing machines and she wrote this:

"I had a toy sewing machine too, and I found the same one (above) for my daughters on 'Emmaüs' (a sort of flea market for homeless people in France) for 2€! It does not really sew, but you can play with wool. It is very appropriate for my young daughters! They like to sit next to me when I 'play' with my sewing machine."

"I have another toy sewing machine, which can actually sew (above). I'm sure my daughters are going to be sewing addicts, just like me!"

I'd say there's a very good chance of it, Sylvie! Thanks for sharing.

Antique Singer Sewing Machine - Red Eye

You know how fishermen have stories about "the one that got away?" Well here's the quilter's equivalent. This antique Singer "Red Eye" (called that because of the painted decoration) was on eBay and I "knew" the price would climb sky high, so I didn't bid. That was dumb! (And yes, I do have a BS in Finance.) The machine sold for only $91. I'm just getting to know my way around this market a little bit, but that seems like a very good deal to me. Wouldn't this machine look stunning in a quilting studio? I think I'm getting bit by the Singer bug!

Selvage Sewing Machine Cover

Jocelyn at happycottagequilter.blogspot.com wrote to tell us about this selvage sewing machine cover made by Margie in Oregon. She made it for a contest and it took her one whole day. And now she doesn't have to use that white plastic cover that comes with the machine. Good idea. Margie's blog is: http://threadingmyneedles.blogspot.com/2009/08/sewing-machine-cover.html

Thanks, Jocelyn!

Toy Sewing Machine...Memories!

I was visiting Jill's blog http://www.thequiltrat.blogspot.com/ and saw her slide show of her toy sewing machines. When I saw the little red one above, I suddenly remembered that I had one just like it! It actually sewed when you turned the wheel on the right by hand. By the age of 10 I was using my Mom's Elna, so this was a long time ago!

Do any of you remember having a toy sewing machine?

This is post #500. Wow!