What would you turn this into?

I recently purchased a remnant of fabric from a charity shop for a couple of pounds, which I think is gorgeous and summery. It makes me smile.

But I have a problem in not knowing what to make from it... and am open for suggestions.

Here is the fabric...

It is a creamy white with yellow, black and grey flowers splashed over it - obviously! and feels a little satin like but withou the brassy high sheen effect.

It is approximately 5ft x 7ft in size.

I can hand sew and have a sewing machine (although I am not too experienced on this yet!).

I am thinking of something to wear preferably. What do you think...?

Vintage Singer sewing machine - part deux

Further to my post last Friday, I went on a mission to collect my acquired 'second' vintage Singer sewing machine (again from Freecycle).

And its a cracker too but in a different way. It's in a different style case, looks slightly more modern. It's an electric model but only a year younger than my other model - 1951. And it comes with loads of little bits and pieces...

It came with the adapter, a Singer mat, a shelf attachment, the original 'tools' box and little instruction manuals and a handwritten tag (I can only decipher a little of the scrawlled writing though).

I love both these machines already and although it seems silly having two sewing machines, they can now become part of my future family history :)

Two buses...

Well not quite buses, sewing machines instead... let me explain.

Some of you may know that I got myself a little sewing machine a few weeks back which I must say does the job required.

But at the time, I was also keeping my eyes peeled and hunting on ebay, freecycle and in charity shops too for a bigger, sturdier and more substantial piece of equipment.

Everything on ebay was going for more than I wanted to pay, the charity shops were dry and there was nothing occuring on the freecycle groups.

Then one day last week out the blue I had an email pop up on the blackberry. This email was a freecycle listing alert. It read 'Singer Sewing machine...'. I didn't ask what state it was in, what age it was or whether it even worked... I just said 'Can I have it please?' as quick as my fingers could type.

The nice people - Chris and Jules - replied straight away saying it was mine and could collect when I liked.

When I found their house, they kindly invited me in and told me that it was her grandmother's but it was taking up room and they were never going to use it and didn't even know if or how it worked.

They produced the sewing machine upon which I desperately tried to contain my squeals of delight and try not to jump up and down with excitement.

And her she is...

Original cover/case (no damage at all) and the original key on a little bit of string... can you imagine my excitement?? (nearly wet my pants!)

Beautiful...

And I discovered a sneaky hideaway with all these little goodies too :)

The only downside is that I'm not quite sure how to use it yet! There is a serial number on the side though - EG158798 and from the Singer website I have managed to get a certificate confirming that it was made in 1950. Not as old as what I thought but that doesn't matter at all, tis lovely! not sure how to track down the right instruction manual though... any suggestions?

Then... on Wednesday morning whilst waiting to get into work, I was browsing the t'internet on my Blackberry when another freecycle email popped up... 'Various household items, including... vintage singer sewing machine...' I'm thinking - MINE! prompt email sent straight back and I am collecting it this weekend!!! Again, not too sure what condition this one will be in but who cares right?!

I can't collect sewing machines though, can I?... the house isn't big enough :)

Updates on January Monthly Makes

I had a slight panic at the weekend because I have been so busy and felt that I hadn't been crafting with the possessed-glaze that I had at the beginning of the new year. The difference being that I am back at work now and I work full-time. The last couple of week's have been a little full-on at work.

I have managed to finish the Cath Kidston Patch bag though...

             

I am quite please as this is the first thing I have sewn (bar buttons and odd repairs) in a long long time and I have to say that I really enjoyed myself. You may notice that I have substited the suffolk puff that is meant to be in the middle with a large blue button. I wasn't keen on the puff ;)

When I sat down to work on it I was amazed at how quickly it came together. However, when it came to sewing and hemming the actual bag I resided to the fact that I 'needed' a sewing machine.

Those of you who follow me on Twitter or read my blog will know that recently got myself a small sewing machine. I wasn't sure what to expect about it's quality and what I will be able to achieve with it.

I can however say that I have had a little play with it on scraps of material and got a little frustrated to say the least! Not wanted to be defeated, a little browsing and research about using sewing machines followed on the t'internet. I learnt a few key things and attempted another dual. This time I came out the victor.

I have a project lined up and I feel that the Beldray will be a vital asset. With my love of Cath Kidston, I bought a bundle of mixed Cath Kidston fabrics already pre-cut into 4" squares. I am going to endeavour to make a feature for a quilt cover. I fear that I won't have time to complete this Make before the month is out though, so am planning ahead for a February make :)

In the meantime, my make is two-fold. I signed up to Me and My Shadow's - Take One Jumper Challenge and the produce is going to be part of my January Monthly Makes.

Now this was my first time at felting, so off I went and I found myself a 100% lambswool sweater from a local charity shop. I felt a little bad as its by Jaeger but I justified the planned felting of said sweater as ok because it was three sizes to big for me anyway and it only cost £2.99. So I proceeded to whack it in the washer on the highest setting, followed by a hot tumble - as per the instructions that peeps had given me and I have ended up with a sweater that would easily fit a six year old!! (and duly felted of course)

As I said, I am not going to divulge my plans for the sweater but will post them as I go along :)

Sew sew sew...

I am quite excited, as I have got myself a sewing machine!
I didn't want to spend a fortune and I got bored of waiting for anyone to reply on the freecycle groups I am party too, so when I saw that a local shop was selling Beldray 7 Stitch Sewing Machines for £20 (apparently meant to retail at £59). I umm'd and ahh'd for a few days and thought - go for it!

It's nothing extravagant though... but I will give it a whirl. I have never had a sewing machine before and I only want to try it out and dabble a little. If I like it, then I can invest further if need be :)

According to the box, its ideal for creating clothes, making curtains or simple repairs... we'll see!

I am planning a patchwork quilt and after that, who knows! :)