Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Happy Town and 301

If you recall, several weeks ago I was sent some fabric called Happy Town  designed by Jacquelynne Steves.  It was so much fun to play around with it.  The prints are just "happy" and cute.  This is one of the things that I have made with them.



I loved the larger prints of the vehicles and decided that they needed to be displayed in a larger block of fabric.  I have one other item that I am working on and then I will have a giveaway for some of the fabrics so be sure to stay tuned for that.



Meanwhile, Jacquelynne is having a giveaway at her site until Friday.  You can check it out HERE.

Speaking of giveaways, random number generator gave me Fiesta as my winner of the flour sack dishtowels.  Please send me you snail mail and I will get those out to you right away.



Several months ago my neighbor had mentioned that he had an "old" sewing machine of his mothers in his garage and asked if I would like it.  Yesterday he arrived at my door with it in hand.  After he left, I opened it and was pleasantly surprised to find that it contained the "big sister" of the Featherweight - a Singer 301a.  I am dating it at between 1951-1953.  After cleaning it up a bit, oiling and lubricating it, it works beautifully.  I can see that it is a real workhorse and will be a pleasure to have in my sewing room.  It is considered a portable machine at 16 pounds and a carrying handle.  It also has a flip up short bed.   





My very favorite feature is the drop down knee pedal for making the machine run (optional).  I learned with one of those.  I have tried repeatedly to use my knee pressure foot lifter, but I can't re-train the old brain that it is not a lever to make the machine run.  SIGH!


The parts are all there including numerous feet and the zig zag attachment which also works as a  walking foot.  All of these handily fit into the seat of the sewing cabinet. 






I have ordered new cords as you can see they are badly needed. 



I had to chuckle at the bobbins.  I remember first learning to sew and we would wind thread over thread already on the bobbin.  Why????  I have no idea because there was no way you were ever going to use the threads under them.  Anyway....this was one bobbin that I unwound....7 colors!!


I was one of the grand prize winners in the Starburst Quiltalong at Happy Quilting.  That means I get to have a fun shopping spree at Intrepid Thread.  I can't wait as I have always loved Julie's shop and service.


In spite of all the snow around the country, I must say that spring is definitely coming.  Our male oriole returned on Monday.  Of course with a winter storm set to hit tomorrow, he may be sorry he came back so soon.  This is the earliest return date for our orioles since we started keeping record of them years ago. 


 In closing, I have to show you my very serious guest who has kept me company all day.  I really had to work for smiles ;-) 



Why is Blogger telling me that I am not following anybody today???  Grrr.

31 comments:

  1. Nice score! You will love it. I'm glad it went to a good home.

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  2. Very happy quilt and lucky you , the machine looks wonderful !

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  3. Wow, what a great machine in a gorgeous cabinet! I love my 301, it's just about my favorite machine for piecing, and I really like that fold-down handle for carrying it around.

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  4. Your quilt is so cute!! Congrats on the awesome sewing machine, you can't beat those old machines and it looks like you have a little cutie with you!!

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  5. SCORE!! What a little gem. And what an adorable helper. As far as the Followers thing goes, I just hit refresh a couple of times, and they come back. Good Luck.

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  6. What a wonderful machine! Congrats! Oh yes, I wound bobbins like that too. Maybe I shouldn't even admit that.

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  7. What an adorable quilt with those "Happy" Fabics.....I love the little neighborhood border! Wow what a wonderful addition to your sewing room! And it looks like it was well cared for too and I know you will continue that good care! What a sweetheart all dressed in pink you shared your day with!

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  8. Oh my I love the 301! When I got my Featherweight in Nov it came with various parts and attachments and 4 bobbins.I was surprised to see the first bobbin I used had 5 different colors of thread. I thought my family was the only one to do this. Seems we never had enough bobbins. I had planned to do a blog post on it to see how many others did the same thing. It's too funny.

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  9. Haha, I love you guest. Lovely quilt you made and great sewing machine. What a treasure!

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  10. Blogger was doing that to me earlier in the day........so aggravating.....now it seems to be working.

    What beautiful fabric, so colorful. What a nice sewing machine and a pretty cabinet......not that I know one thing about sewing machines.

    Pretty Oriole.....hope his female shows up soon.

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  11. Great quilt & congrats on the 301! Glad you had such a cutie to enjoy the day with!

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  12. Lovely quilt Mary. Your sewing machine is a treasure as well as the cutie you spent the day with.

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  13. A perfect way to show off big prints. I love the red and white dot too! That sewing machine looks exactly like my Mom's singer except the cabinet is slightly different. It still works and is in perfect condition. I even used it once while I was home. You have a sweet little treasure there -- the sewing machine AND your serious guest.

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  14. Your Happy Town quilt is darling! I was lucky enough to win (which I think you saw) a nice bundle of this fabric and I can't wait to create with it!! Your Singer machine is beautiful! I learned to sew on one of those, too. I had to laugh when I saw your comment about the knee-pressure foot thing. When I first got my Bernina, I was *so* excited to see the knee lever...until it dawned on me that it wasn't to make the machine go. Then I was sad. LOL!!! Your guest *is* very serious! Very much like my Ellie -- I earn my Ellie smiles!! Have a GREAT day!! :)

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  15. Cute Happy Town quilt! What a lovely machine and in such a pretty cabinet too. Will be such fun for you to sew on one again! Now I have never seen bobbins with so many color threads!Maybe I need to check the older ones here.. too funny! We look out for the hummers here. Last year they came early and stayed later.

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  16. That is a darling quilt but the baby is even MORE DARLING! What a cutie!

    Lucky you to have won such a great fabric!

    Thank you for the tip about the AG designs at Nancy's Notions. I was totally unaware that she had them.

    fondly,
    Rett

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  17. Your little vistitor is cute,even with her serious look...
    Love the Cars Quilt too.
    How lucky are you to be given such a treasure...The cabinet is just divine...

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  18. Love that quilt! Love that sewing machine! But I really love that baby!!!!

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  19. I don't think we had very many bobbins and never needed a full bobbin to complete a garment so we just wound over what was already there. I don't remember ever starting with an empty bobbin.

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  20. Your Happy Town quilt is fun and happy - just as it ought to be. Those vehicles fabrics are my favorites too :*) And what a great find in the sewing machine! It looks like it is in great condition. You will love it!

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  21. I still new thread on top of old on my bobbins. It's what my mom taught me, and I have to admit that sometimes I'm too impatient to unload the bobbin. I just need to buy more bobbins so I'll always have a spare bobbin - or six. ;-)

    How awesome to be gifted that old sewing machine. I, too, learned with a knee pedal and I am still learning to not press the foot lifter when I'm sewing on my Bernina. ;-)

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  22. blogger love to say that you are not following any one and i hate it. i get all i can by e-mail so it doesn't ruin my day

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  23. How can anyone be serious when their tongue is sticking out? She is too cute...so is your quilt, even if baby isn't very cheerful your quilt certain is.

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  24. You did a great job with the Happy Town fabric. Lucky you to get an old Singer. The table is neat too.
    Gorgeous fellow, please smile for me?

    Have a lovely weekend - Hugs Nat

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  25. It looks like a machine you will enjoy sewing on. I sewed with a knee pedal as a kid, but it was one of many machines my Momma owned.
    Love the baby shot, what a sweetie! I hope you did get a smile ~
    :-}pokey

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  26. What a fun quilt. And congrats on your score of the old Singer. Your little visitor looks like fun as well. Thanks for sharing.

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  27. Lovely quilt...I just looked at you 'about me' bit....you have 26 grandchildren!!! Wow!

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  28. Congratulations on your "new" machine! I bought one at a garage sale years ago and take it out every once in awhile. One day I hope to have a special little guest keeping me company - such a serious look on your cutie pie!

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  29. What a lovely addition to your sewing room. I used to wind thread over thread too - apparently it's a big no-no!

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  30. A nice gift especially as you have room to store it. Please send some warm Spring here. Back down to 2C again this weekend and snow.

    I am going through your blog and commenting on my new I-pod which I only received midday! Got it set up but still to get mail and FBI sorted.

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