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Another interlude-too many WIPs!

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Yeah yeah, it should be WsIP but I don’t care, I’m such a rebel!

I need to do the hand sewing on my breeches.

I need to pin up and sew the draping on my evening skirt.

I need to do a fitting on the lilac bodice.

I need to sew the lace beading onto the white camisole, then thread the ribbon into it.

I need to do the waist casing,  hand finishing and fastenings on the black blouse.

Sleeve
Neckline, pinned but not stitched
Inside, showing the lace attachment stitching
Bias strips for the neckline and casing
Shoulder strap of the lining, waiting to be stitched down

Sigh.  I have a new audio book, so I just need to get sewing.

I DID finish the black camisole, and it looks very sweet, even if it won’t fasten over my fat gut without a corset…sewing stuff 020.JPG

On a positive note, my lovely wife finally got to work and cleaned and oiled my beautiful old Singer sewing machine.  She [machine, not wife] was made in 1911 in Clydebank, Scotland.  The missus was made in 1966 in Birmingham, if you need to know.

I got the sewing machine in 2012, thanks to a pal on The Sewing Forum who knew the person who was giving it away.  Yep, this 115-year old beauty cost us not a sausage.  She was in great order considering she’d been living in a garage for years, but needed some cleaning, a new belt for the treadle, and a new face plate.  She came with all these amazing attachments, only a few of them have been identified so far [the ruffler, and a whole heap of binding feet.]

Binding feet?
Not a clue
Various basic and hemming feet
Who knows?
Torture devices?
Ruffler!
The whole collection

Last year I acquired a buttonhole attachment as well. The poor machine used to be in pride of place in our panelled hallway, but at this latest rental, we have so little space that she has spent two years with several boxes of books etc stacked on top.  So I do have some excuse for not getting her running.

sewing stuff 013
mmmmm so sexy!

Anyway, an hour or so of faffing about with a light extension, a large bottle of oil, tweezers for surgical fluff extraction, the vacuum cleaner, and two swearing and impatient old battleaxes…and she was done.

A little while ago, wife announced that she needs to sew some horrible velcro onto a piece of motorcycle jacket techno mesh stuff.  My modern machine was having none of it.  The Singer was rather faffy to thread, because I’ve got used to the quicker threading style of newer machines, where some of the thread guides are slotted rather than having to be threaded, but hey ho.  The machine ATE the velcro [in a good way] and was totally unfazed once I fiddled with the tension for a bit.  Next stop, buttonholes!

Anyone who can cast some light on those feet and attachments will save me some research time…

sewing stuff 005Oh yes, there was a pretty little ‘vintage’ buckle in one of the drawers as well…nom

 

 

22 thoughts on “Another interlude-too many WIPs!”

  1. In you torture devices pic I can see a seam guide and a quilting guide – I have a singer treadle that was my great grandmothers, she bought it secondhand in 1906 – it has it’s original instructions and some of the original attachments. I sews through leather easily. Enjoy – just think, you can exercise as you sew.

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  3. You will be amazed at what that old girl will cope with. They certainly knew how to build sewing machines back then. Like you I have a box of unidentified gizmos that will probably enable me to give up my modern machine once I work out what the bejesus they do!

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  4. wow what a beauty of a machine…and what lovely goodies to go with it. You need to make a photo with numbers on the bits so we can properly identify them. Here is my attempt..
    basics: the four on the right are roll hemmers in various sizes. The top left one might be different.
    next pic: bottom left one is also a binder. 2nd from right is just a bodkin, does not go on machine. far right…might be just a tool to attach other gadgets?
    torture: no idea about the three on the right. 4 big things on the left are all seam or hem gauges. (concur with jillhad) Some of these may be attaching bits…go between pieces that get the working part to fit on the shaft.
    what a haul!

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    1. Brilliant thanks! I’ll label up the ones that have been identified for me…I did wonder if some of the bits are parts of one of the other attachments. She is a gorgeous creature, and the table is lovely too. It’s such a pity that these are often dumped because the cabinets don’t fit with modern decor.

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  7. I really hope you work out what each of those attatchments does, over time. It would be very interesting to see what you can do with such an old machine and if they were actually better than a modern “computerised” machine.

    On the wips, I find I have quite a few SWAP garments that aren’t quite finished. Putting the press studs on or changing the length etc seems impossible to just complete.

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    1. Yup, that’s my problem. If I wasn’t being fussy about the inside finish, they’d be done. I’m hoping to get some perfect buttonholes from the Singer, everyone raves about them. Watch this space! [I’m now hampered because Dawn’s first sewing exploits today have resulted in her breaking my needle threader…and I can’t manage without it]

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  8. I learned to sew on an old Singer that belonged to my grandmother – it’s still my Mums only machine. But ours wasn’t anywhere near as glorious and accessoried as yours is. You’re unspeakably lucky to have this – and I’m certain she’ll be proud to partner up with you in assembling your 19th century wardrobe. Have fun!
    Baci Sally x
    sarsaparillasal.blogspot.com

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  9. My tuppence worth – a seam gauge, a rolled hem guide, applique stuff and some things you could make steampunk accessories from……Regards from incredibly envious sewer. Ruth!

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  10. Elaine, check out Helen Howes or Hevsi’s blog (from the sewing forum) The buttonholer makes The Best BH’s, and the underbraider is fab. Lizzie Lennard is worth a look too, she does some tuts on how to use some of the attachments.

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    1. Thanks- I bought the buttonholer from Helen, and will be giving her a ring today. the missus says she can get the broken screw out of th hole, then re’thread the hole and find a replacement screw for the plate. I still need an alternate screw to hold the buttonholer on. Should be do-able. I’ll take a look at Lizzie’s tutes.

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  11. Oh what a beauty, I learned to sew on a Jones treadle machine. Todays machines aren’t anything like as sturdy, I wonder how many will still be in use in 50 years time. I’d love a vintage machine but I can’t see OH agreeing.

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  12. I absolutely adore this machine. I sed to have a treadle that was my Grandmother’s. She bought is second-hand in the 20’s. I fixed her up and got her running again. She was the best machine I ever had and I am gutted not to have her still (long story). I also bought a Singer button-holer recently so if you can tell me how to work it then I would be more than pleased. I have heard that they make the very best buttonholes ever. Xx

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  13. Well it only managed to get as far as half a buttonhole, but it’s the nicest half I ever saw lol All you do is attach it, clamp the fabric in place, and run the machine. It’s quite amazing to watch. I’ll have to play with the settings to get the sizes right, in the meantime I plan to do buttonholes and find buttons to fit them!

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