January brings more light, just barely, and the sense of a new beginning. I cleaned the workshop last weekend. Yesterday I tackled the sewing loft. It had become the depository for auction acquisitions and empty sewing machine cabinets. I moved some empty cabinets out, organized the auction finds and found the sewing tables, ironing board and sewing machine that had been buried under all the STUFF.
I often say "It's all about the tools." When I finally cleaned out the loft and could actually function in there, I sat down at this Kenmore 158.1760 to make a draw string bag. I love this machine. It is smooth, strong and quiet. It makes a consistently gorgeous stitch without too much finagling. I actually did not even have to change the tension despite sewing on different weights of fabric, with different weights of thread and different sized needles. It has a free arm, as you can sort of tell. The cabinet allows it to be positioned as you see it or dropped down into the cabinet so that it is a flat bed.
I also love my new DeLonghi steam iron. It is so professional looking. I had been a Rowenta fan for many years. This iron is heavier and the steam is always available (as long as the reservoir has water in it).
My current sewing project is a "Warm Window" roman shade. This is the last one I must make for the house. The project is tedious. Working with large masses of fabric is a challenge and I am determined to finish this last one BEFORE I start on anything FUN.
I started making these for the house five years ago. I had five to make and it seems as if I only made one a year. Each one is different from its predecessor, except this one. I learned a bit with each shade.
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| Warm Window shade number 4. Finally figured it out. (Singer 31-15) |
I use Warm Window fabric (http://www.warmcompany.com/wwpage.html) and I bought some drapery fabric on sale a Joann's five years ago. The idea is to seal the window with magnets secured in the shade that attach to a magnetic strip fastened to the window frame. We have really nice chestnut woodwork so I did not want to apply a magnetic strip to that. Instead I finally figured out that I needed to make the shade WIDE enough so that the strip can be attached to the wall. It requires piecing. I know how to do that, being a quilter, and all.
Back to the loft to sew. See that 31-15 in the previous photo? I want to play with that. So if I want to play with that I have to finish this project. Back to my wonderful tools.
