Thimbles

Some of my favorite clothes are made from fabric found in quilting stores. It's much better quality than what's available at JoAnns and if I can get it on sale, it's not TOO awful a price! I've made skirts, dresses, and shirts from "quilting" fabric.

sue

Exactly my sentiment. I at least also have some old evening bags - they're really something, and assorted odd things.

Very good ideas. I think I might be able to put it into the sunroom, as I'm hoping to use that room for teaching needlework anyhow, and it does have some space. The knee space is really tight - so it's not really practical as a dressing table. I also have a very straight designed thread table - little side table with 2 drawers, each having wooden curved inserts that were meant to hold spools of thread. And a bunch of old wooden spools - which I'm using as somehow decorative!

The darning egg is fun, and truly well worn. As for the Samovar, I love that I have it - and my selfish SIL didn't manage to steal it (I think DM had given it to me before she passed away). It definitely has some pride of place.

My DGM was quite strict on the hemming thing, so I learned on many flared things, like skirts, then pants, and consequently don't really mind having to ease in fabric. But, you're right - it is a PITA. Especially on heavier weight stuff. I end up hemming DH's hockey ref pants - that's a pain, worse is doing the repairs on them because of locations of some of the more rigid padding.

Well, if I had children I would teach them. But, sadly, Puckster's webbed paws don't seem to take to sewing - although he does a fine job signing greeting cards. I've taught one of the granddaughters some XS, and knitting. The eldest is now asking to learn some things. Mostly I'm on the hook to teach them how to make real chicken soup and matzoh balls - to which I've told them they have to come to the house and watch, play 'cause I cannot precisely convey the textures at different stages without showing.

Pretty funny picture hitting her with a bodkin!

Ellice

You are so right, Sue. I prefer to think it's not my snob factor, but rather appreciating the better quality of the fabric as to why I end up buying my stuff at G-street or the LQS. The thread counts seem to be higher, and the fabrics just have so much body. Plus, I hate putting work into something I'm making if it's just going to fray apart.

I will say that I have totally refused to get into hand quilting, or piecing. I'm very happy playing with the fabrics, etc. on the machine 'cause I have enough handwork to cart around. That's my story, and I've stuck with it to quilt instructors, and my DA who made me get into it anyhow (so we'd have something to share after my DM passed).

I use quilting fabric all the time for "finishing" on needlework. Holds up great.

Ellice

Maureen has an elderly Singer sewing machine (complete with table & foot treadle etc) which I found in a "junk shop" about 30 years ago. It came complete with umpteen gadgets and a handbook that contains photographs of a lady whose hair-style Maureen describes as a "Marcel Wave".

Sounds quite similar! Those old machines are really works of art with the beautiful gold paint on the black surface. I suppose that when someone had one, it was out so much that part of the pride in having a Singer was it looked nice, and was kind of a status, albeit functional, item.

I love that your machine came with photos - that Marcel wave is certainly right out of the 30's. I think the machine which I have was actually used when DH's mom got it, as the cabinet is clearly from the 20's, maybe 30's, but I think the machine is a bit older. And, well, his mom was born in the early 20s so I really doubt she was given this as a welcome to the world gift. DH (and the SILs) had actually never figured this out. I bet Maureen's machine still works - mine does. Great for sewing straight seams

- though I really don't use it now.

ellice

Yep - quilting stores can be dangerous.

Cheryl

If you get an aching finger from the thimble, you could try one of the Thimblelady thimbles. The "holes" are on the pad of the finger rather than the tip, so you can hold the finger in a much less stressful position to push the needle. They're designed for hand quilting, so they might not suit all sewing needs. The metal ones are expensive, but you can buy them in plastic for not too much. I'm not a quilter but I have a plastic one, and I cut through the back of it so it fits my finger.

Johnno

Seen these leather one, and they look like they would work nicely. Getting one or two at end of month payday.

I did have a thought of someth>

Well, I've now tried a flexible rubber (like Croc shoes) but it was hot and too big. And I got a metal one that is open on the back with adjustable bands. It fits pretty well but it's going to take some getting used to the metal casing which of course makes my finger "bigger" and throws off my aim from the back of the fabric. I've yet to try the little leather stick-ons, but that's next. Have ordered the leather thimble with the elastic band but haven't received it yet.

Kathy