Yes – This is My Sewing Machine!

Some of the most frequently asked questions I receive in reference to my tutorials are about my sewing machine. Is that really your sewing machine? Is that your only sewing machine? Did you really use that sewing machine to make ….? The answer is yes, yes and yes!

I inherited my Singer Featherweight 221 many years ago. It belonged to my Aunt. Although I have looked at (and drooled over) other bigger and fancier machines, I have yet to purchase a new sewing machine.

After some research, I discovered these machines were made from the mid 1930’s to the early 1960’s. They are decorated differently depending on the time period in whch they were made. Featherweights sew only straight stitches (forward and backward) and are made with all-metal parts. Weighing in at around 11 lbs they are still a favorite among quilters today because of their portability. Here are some of the ads Singer used when these machines first appeared on the market.

My mother also owns and still uses the Singer Featherweight she received when graduating from high school. My sewing machine was made in Elizabethport, New Jersey while her machine (shown below) was made in Canada.

By looking at the serial number, I was able to determine my sewing machine was manufactured around April 22, 1954. Unfortunately, there is no data for machines built in Canada.

I was fortunate that my machine came with the original books, a buttonholer, automatic zigzagger, and a variety of other accessories including an edge stitcher, ruffler, binderfoot, zipper foot, hemmer foot and more.

I am embarrassed to say, in all the years I have owned my sewing machine I have not yet tried one of these attachments or most of the accessories. I will have to change this!

Thanks to everyone who asked these and other questions relating to my sewing machine. It gave me (and hopefully you) the opportunity to learn something new. If you ever come across one of these machines, I highly recommend purchasing it. I have used it countless hours and never once have I had a problem. These machines are so well made. I plan on passing my Featherweight down to my daughter.

 For additional information about Singer Featherweight sewing machines visit singer-featherweight.com

A Fisher Poet

We set off to the Fisher Poets Gathering in Astoria, Oregon this past Saturday. Astoria is located at the mouth of the Columbia River where fresh waters first taste the salty sea of the Pacific Ocean.

Astoria is a historic little fishing town and every year for the last thirteen years, the Fisher Poets Gathering has been held here. Fisherman from Alaska, down to the Pacific Northwest, California, and even Rhode Island come to read their poetry here, providing a brief and often haunting glimpse into the lives and souls of these amazing fishermen.



Our first stop was to visit the fishing vessel Cold Stream, which was docked in the harbor.



It was built in the 1950's and upon climbing aboard, it was evident that it had many stories to tell from its days and nights at sea.


The most fascinating aspect of touring this boat was meeting its Captain. Can you guess which man in the above photo is the Captain and which is the reporter? Captain Dave, seen to the right in his wool plaid shirt, is a man of a different era.
Being in his presence offered such a vivid glimpse into an industry that is a labor of love, yet evokes the wisdom of time and sacrifice. In him we met a soul who remains beautifully distant from this modern world.

You can go here to read one of his poems.

We were captivated by him. It was his rugged nature, his friendly smile, and his generosity to open his boat, his home, to people like us, curious to see a sliver of what life may be like for a fisherman out on the open sea.

The Captain encouraged people to play with the switches, turn things on, open things up...this made someone in particular quite happy.



Here's Mr. Happy behind the wheel.

...and here he is examining our coordinates - tied to the dock.

While Hubby went down into the belly of the ship to check out the engine, I found myself absorbing the domesticity of the boat. How would it feel to live here for weeks on end? Could this little boat offer comfort amidst the surroundings of a deep dark sea?

I loved the old brass hardware. It is beautiful, with the knobs shined smooth from so many strong hands having turned them over and over through the years.

The hot stove made the cabin quite toasty. I imagined that it is surely the heart of the boat.

Old open shelves act as half medicine cabinet and half spice rack.

Although everything looked tired and weathered, still so very strong.

The paneled doors rested on their hinges as we sat quietly in the calm bay.



It was a pure bliss for Hubby as not only did he get to play Captain that very morning, but afternoon lunch was enjoyed at a local brewery.

And me sampling his beer. I'm thinking..."I wonder if that bakery next door has any cupcakes. "

They did.

One Down, How Many More to Go?

Near the beginning of last year, I pieced this quilt using a charm pack from Moda. In between my other projects, I hand quilted this throughout the year. I hardly ever sit and quilt at home anymore. When I am home I have other things I need to do, and besides, if I have anytime left, I do something that requires cutting and sewing by machine.

I usually have some kind of project with me all the time, so when I find a little bit of time here and there, I can make some progress. I quilted this at my sons' martial arts studio, while waiting in the carpool lane at my sons' school, and other places. (If you see someone with a gigantic quilt in public and she looks little out of place, that could be me...)

It is finally done!! This quilt is called: "Snow Ball Quilt", I am so glad that I finished it before another Spring came.

The blocks for this quilt were so easy to do, I would love to make one in a different color theme... but I have many other quilt tops that need to be quilted, I don't think it is a good idea to start a new one just yet. I guess I should baste a quilt top to take along with me.