Fun at the AQC!

Hello lovelies, once again I have been lured in by an unloved sewing machine sitting in an antique warehouse.  They are like abandoned puppies... just waiting for someone to love them lol.

Miss Janome was found last weekend and at only $38 she was a steel!  She came in good condition, with original manual and extension table in a vinyl case.  After a bit of TLC I'm pleased to say she is sewing beautifully.  Unfortunately she didn't seem to have any accessories/additional feet but thats ok.

The Singer 201K was found on ebay for only $20!!!!! thats insane!  She came with a case and has a knee lift to make the machine stop and start.  After a little cleaning and rewiring she sews quite well, having to make a few tension adjustments but we are getting there.  The 201K was said to be one of Singer's greatest successes.  She has a wider throat space than other models and was designed to be a heavy duty machine.  More about her here.

I've now made a separate page entitled "My Vintage Sewing Machines" which can be found on the right hand side of this blog if you are interested.

Now onto the big event... the Australasian Quilt Convention!  Last Saturday I attended the AQC at the Royal Exhibition Buildings in Melbourne (a truly stunning piece of Melbourne architecture).  Each year this show just gets better and better, and this year was no exception.  All quilting related stalls so that was fantastic.  I usually get there just on opening and leave just before closing.  I park underneath in the secure underground carpark which makes it easy for me to get a pass out and take purchases back to the car though out the day (my neck and back thank me for this!).  It's a big day but there is just so much to see, and you never see everything the first time around.  I'm sorry to say that I didn't take any (nope none) photos whilst I was there because, frankly I just wanted to take it all in.  Follow the link and take a look at the gallery pics - the exhibition display was amazing.

For some time now I have been toying with the idea of purchasing a new sewing machine.  I've looked at the big players, Bernina and Janome but oh there are so many features I just wouldn't use.  I adore my little Janome QC4618 (Jan as she's affectionately called), she's getting on a bit now but still going strong but the more I'm delving into my free motion quilting the more I'm feeling a little restricted.

For starters, I need more throat space, Jan's is just too limiting and having to push and tug a quilt into that confined space is really annoying me.  I also would like the needle down function, a knee lift, an extension table and thread cutter.  I really don't need fancy stitches and computerised screens.  Then I stumbled across a few bloggers who raved about their Juki 2010Q... quilters such as Victoria Findlay Wolfe and Amanda Jean from Crazy Mom Quilts.

A WHAT?????? a JUKI?????? virtually unheard of in Australia except in the industrial machine world.

Apparently these machines are the domestic version of an industrial machine, all metal housing, nothing fancy, but fast (1500 stitches per minute) and tough as nails.  They need to be oiled and they just do straight stitch (simple - just like my old vintage machines).  I hunted high and low for a Juki 2010Q in Australia but they just don't exist.  But alas at the AQC I see a Juki stand *angels singing* and find out from the Australian Juki ambassador, Mollie Sparkles, that this machine was never released in Australia but the Juki TL-98P is the Australian equivalent and quilters are raving about them.

I touched it, I played with it... and... I loved it!!!!  It goes from zero to flat out with ease and quilts like a dream.  I WANT ONE!!!

After visiting my local Juki dealer and having yet another play, I have placed a deposit on one.  Three weeks wait as they are sold out at the moment, but oh I just can't wait!

Anyway, back to the AQC, here are a few of the things I purchased at the show:

• '15 Minutes of Play' and 'Double Wedding Ring Quilts' books by Victoria Findlay Wolfe.  I've just discovered this woman and until recently I didn't think much of modern quilts but Victoria makes it seem so easy.  Her creativity is contagious and she really helps you to step outside your ideas of what a quilt 'should' look like and just create.  I love reading about her process, and how she links her quilts to her past, making her work personal.  Victoria also loves her Juki and is the American ambassador for Juki and, my other favourite company, Sizzix.
• A practice panel for quilting feathers from Pauline's World.  This is a panel printed with various feather designs.  You simply pretend this is a quilt top, sandwich with batting and backing and then quilt away FMQing the feathers but without thread.  You can do it over and over until you get the feel and motion of FMQ feathers, what a great idea.
• Gail Pan's 'Vintage Sewing Collage' and the items to make it - it was fun hunting for all the items required - sewing machine print linen, ruler trim, mini lace motifs, buttons, etc.
• Some laminated fabric - I've never sewed with this before but I'm thinking some little make up bags might be nice - they would make great Xmas presents too.
• Two new Sizzix dies for my Fabi Cutter.  It was great to see a Sizzix stand at the show.  There are sooooo many more dies available that what Spotlight carry.  I'm saving my pennies for the next craft show where I can stock up on more dies.  They are so hard to find and the prices at the show were very reasonable.  I haven't mentioned my Fabi Cutter but Santa was very generous to me last year (er um this was my Xmas present to myself lol),  I must remember to do a separate post on how much I love it.
• I didn't buy a lot of fabric this year because quite frankly I have so much and I really need to be using what I have.  But these were just a couple that appealed to me.
• A gorgeous little miniature sewing machine - the right size for a dolls house... so cute!

So thats it, I think I was pretty restrained actually!

Well until next time, I'm linking up with Mollie Sparkles Sunday Stash.

Yours in stitches

Leanne x

Antique sewing love!

Hello all, about time I touched base and told you what I've been up to!  Firstly I am studying like crazy trying to finish my course.  With only a few units to go, this has been my main priority.  I am really REALLY (I can't emphasise that word enough lol) looking forward to graduating this year with a nice little Certificate IV in Bookkeeping in my hand!

On the sewing front... ohhhh I've been having fun.  Three words.... Vintage. Sewing. Machines.  Yep, after a lovely weekend day trip to Yarragon I found this little beauty in an antique shop.

Instantly I fell in love and my collection began.  Of course, this also started a research quest for information on these machines.  She's a Singer 15-90 or 15-91 made in 1938.  She's a little worn in places, and I must say I was a little scared to use her as the wiring didn't look too safe, but after my handy DH replaced the wiring I'm pleased to say she sews like a dream.  This machine operates with a knee lever instead of a foot pedal.  The case is in bad shape but if nothing else she is fun to play with.  Perhaps down the track we will find another in better condition and then this one can be used for parts.

In a weird twist of fate, as we were looking at this machine in the antique shop, one of its other customers approached me and told me she had a vintage treadle she was interested in selling privately.  Ohhhh my!  So the very next day we drove for about 30 mins and picked up this lovely.

She's a Singer treadle Class 31K made in 1921 in Scotland.  Unfortunately she's not in the best condition but with a new veneer top and a new leather belt she will be in working order.

Then... yes there is more... whilst picking up the treadle we discovered the Tyabb Packing House.... ohhhhh if you are into antiques and things of the past, you simply must visit this place!  It is enormous.  Now there are some beautiful things here and they aren't cheap, so don't expect a bargain, but its well worth taking a look.  The key is to know what you are looking for and how much its worth.  The dealers are often willing to negotiate on price.  There is also a beautiful cafe on site if you need to take a break (trust me, you'll need it!).  A few weeks later we came home with this little lady from the 1950's.

Sadly she didn't come with a foot so we will be on the lookout for another of these for parts.  However, she was pretty inexpensive so we decided to snap her up and home with us she came :)

I love the thought of these machines coming to live with me.  I wonder about their history, the many clothes and quilts that have been made on them, the stories their original owners had to tell.  They even smell old!  You just can't buy sewing machines like these anymore.  All metal, heavy, sturdy and hard working, passed down through the generations... real work horses.  Many just need a replacement part or two, some oil and a bit of a clean.  Some of them only do a straight stitch but thats fine with me!  They are great for piecing.   I'm looking forward to learning more about them, and hopefully restoring them to working order.  And there is a great deal of info available on the internet, you can even download the old manuals.  In the US, there is a growing number of quilters acquiring these beautiful machines.  I hope it takes off in Australia too.

Another wonderful thing happened recently.... I finally, after a couple of years, found my CD for EQ7!  Hooray!  I have been hunting high and low for it, and after two house moves in the past few years I really had no idea where it was.  But I came across it accidentally whist looking for something else (always the way).   If you don't know what EQ7 is, its quilt design software.  You can literally spend hours just playing with, and designing your own quilt blocks.  And, as I recently discovered, downloading actual fabric collections to add to your palette! So much fun!!!

I have so much more to share with you, but don't want to make the post too long.  But next time I will share with you our last guild meeting with guest speaker Michelle Yeo, progress on my Vintage Happy quilt, and my new project with reproduction fabrics.

Until next time,

Yours in stitches

Leanne x