I just can't resist!

It seems I have absolutely no willpower when it comes to sewing machines of yesteryear.  These three little beauties came home with me on the weekend.  They are all children sewing machines and all complete with the original boxes, instructions, and in working order.  What a find!  Unusual to see so many in one antique shop.

I know I'm going to have to try and resist from now on because frankly I'm running out of space to display these cuties!  I'm even thinking of getting rid of some of our 'regular' decor items and replacing them with sewing machines lol.  It's a sickness I tell you but hey, I'm ok with it.

1950s EMG Comet, handcrank, made in England.

1970s battery operated Little Golden Panoramic Sewing Machine by Singer made in France, battery operated or hand crank operation.

Zig Zag Sew-ette Sewing Machine.  Made in Japan.  One of the few toy sewing machines to have the zig-zag stitch.

Just as I was typing this, a feature appeared on the TV of a couple in Maryborough, Victoria who are also obsessed with sewing machines.... whoohoo I don't feel so alone now lol.

http://tenplay.com.au/channel-ten/the-project/extra/season-6/collecting-a-fortune

Unfortunately, not a lot of sewing has been going on here.  But I'm proud to say another unit of my course is done and dusted!

I'm hoping to have something to show you in my next post :)

Until next time,

Yours in Stitches,

Leanne x

Tutorial: 3D flying geese!

I dropped into one of my local quilt shops last week, and the lovely Katie of Katie's Stitch by Stitch showed me this great way of making flying geese... so much fun and utterly addictive!  The geese actually sit up from the background.  So get out your 2 1/2" strips and lets begin...

First cut two 2 1/2" squares for your background, mine are orange.  Then cut one 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" rectangle for the geese, I chose green.

Fold your rectangle in half so that the two short ends are together, wrong sides together.

Then place one of your squares down on the table, right side facing up.  Place the folded rectangle on top of this with the top edges matching - you will notice that the bottom edge where the folded rectangle is, doesn't meet the bottom of the orange square - this is correct!

Place your other square on top right side down.  All raw edges should be aligned - except the bottom of the folded piece of course.  If you take the time to align your raw edges exactly, your finished goose will sit nicely.

Now sew a 1/4 inch seam down the right side of this sandwiched fabric joining all layers together.

Open out the sandwich and move the left side of the folded rectangle up to become sit over the top edge and become a triangle!

Press the seams open on the back and then press the triangle down on the front to form a flying geese.

It's a bit like origami.  How clever is that???? Make a couple more and sew them together in the usual way.  I also love that this is chain piecing friendly.  Here is my finished block:

Hope you have fun with it, and I'd love to see your photo's!

Yours in stitches

Leanne x