Over the Kitchen Counter: Angie's Place for Cooking and Crafts

Vintage Singer Walking Foot

I was so excited when I bought my vintage Singer 301 sewing machine and found a walking foot hidden in the drawer of the cabinet. Unfortunately, when I was quilting a rag quilt for my husband that Christmas, the foot fell apart. It's always a risk and challenge using and finding parts and feet for the old machines so I figured I was out of luck in this case.

Lately I've been searching the web for antique sewing items and I just so happened to find the exact Singer walking foot I needed. Because the 301 is a slant machine it is that much more of a specialty item to source so I snapped it up. The foot arrived in no time and after getting it attached correctly, worked like a charm. I'm delighted to be able to easily stitch through quilt layers again with this beautiful machine. The foot came in its box with instructions and the original receipt for $6.25! (dated April 15, but no year). They certainly have appreciated in value so I hope it survives longer than the other foot did!

As a bonus for being the seller's first customer, she included a lovely little roll of vintage ribbon. How sweet, and another pretty item to showcase in my workshop. So the moral of the story is never give up (once again). Sometimes finding just the right thing takes a bit of searching and a sprinkle of patience.

Hexie Scrapbook Page & Dozens of Albums

I only have a few more posts about hexagons! Since I just had to document my fun new obsession with English Paper Piecing, a scrapbook page was in order. I dug out my old hexagon punch from Creative Memories and it was just right for my title. I added a few pics of my basted fabric, finished flowers, favourite needles and of course, a close-up of my fingers actually stitching.

I have been slowly adding p-touch date labels to the spines of my albums because I have completed so many that they are getting hard to distinguish. I know what many of them are by sight but even I am having a tough time locating a particular scrapbook when I want to see certain photos. I know it's impossible for my kids to find what they're looking for and since they have been requesting certain ones as of late, I needed to fix the problem before it got worse. It's too bad CM never really came up with a classy, at-home solution for labelling.

My friend was the one who told me she simply uses a label maker and while it doesn't look the best, it gets the job done and they seem to be adhering to the book cloth well enough. It is taking me forever because when I open the album to check the dates it covers, I MUST look through all the pictures! That leads to snap-chatting the kids the funny ones, posting on Facebook to share the great memories, and general reminiscing of all our wonderful times together. This exercise has made me re-appreciate that I've been blessed with a fantastic life, recall what amazing places we have travelled to, and admit we go to Disney World a LOT!

I also confirmed what I already knew...that the photos of my loved ones who are no longer on this earth are some of the most cherished of all. Obviously, they mean so much to me to keep their spirits alive and faces fresh in my mind. Without those pages and my journaled notations, eventually my relatives would not be remembered by future generations. I hope my many albums survive the passing of time and are kept by at least one interested descendant. I love the photos of my blind grandmother holding my hand, the close-up of my grandfather's pipe, sitting on my dad's lap as a baby, my brother carrying me in his arms when I was a child, and my mother's hands rolling out pastry and her fingers holding a delicate tea cup handle. That's why I took the photo of my own hands sewing...I hope one day it means as much to my children.

A Few of My Top English Paper Piecing Tips

I'm no expert on English Paper Piecing but from one newbie to another, I have a few top tips to share to make things easier. I have made enough grandmother's flower garden blooms now to know what I like to use and how to stitch to get the prettiest results. The first attempts aren't great but I certainly have improved by leaps and bounds since those early days.

• Try a few different threads to see what works best for you. I like to use 100% cotton thread and Aurifil is my one and only choice. I switch between the 50 weight and the new 80 wt depending on which colour I need and have. There are others who recommend polyester thread for its strength but I prefer the natural cotton to match my fabric. Regardless of your preference, experiment with a few varieties to test how they perform with hand-stitching which is quite different than machine sewing.

 

• Match the colour of thread to your fabric. I tried using a neutral thread at first and it totally showed. Pairing the same shade of thread with the main colour of your patchwork will make a big difference in how your stitches look. Whipstitches do show but they should be tiny tick marks and not obvious, contrasting stitches.

 

• Don't make your stitches too tiny and close. Aim for stitches about an 1/8th of an inch apart. Your work will move along at a good pace, have a pleasing appearance, and will be strong and secure. I started with stitches far too small and not only did it take forever to finish a flower, my hands started to ache. The look of my seams was so much prettier when I started spacing my stitches further apart. Don't 'bite' more than a few threads regardless of spacing or the stitches will show too much.

 

• Pack a special English Paper Piecing kit so you can grab and go and have your hand-sewing wherever you are. I keep mine in a plastic pencil box from Staples. It doubles as a work surface when opened up flat and keeps everything tidy and protected. I keep my hexies sorted by colour in a stackable container but slip them into baggies for travel. I made my little small, portable design board and it's been amazing.

 

• Sample different types of needles to find which you like best. I've tried many different varieties and sizes and found the perfect ones for me. I happen to like appliqué sharps in size 9 or 10. They are fine and glide through the hexie edges and are not too long. I adore the Roxanne sharps I bought in Florida.

 

• If you are like me, over 40(!) and your eyes are not quite as sharp as they once were, I really find the LED magnifier to be a big help. It allows me to get precise placement of my stitches and helps when I need to remove a tangle or knot.

Have fun and don't be afraid to experiment and practice. Seriously, if I can enjoy hand sewing I think anybody could grow to appreciate it since I would be the last person I'd ever expect to be doing this...and liking it!

Sewline Fabric Glue Pen & English Paper Piecing

I have tried both thread basting and glue basting my fabric to the hexagon paper templates for English Paper Piecing. I 100% prefer glue basting! It is much faster to do and I feel the hexie shape is maintained better as I stitch. Also, because the paper templates aren't perforated with the needle they are in better condition to be reused.

For my first batch of work I used my Fons & Porter glue pen. It was in my supply kit already but I hadn't really ever used it. I can't recall why I purchased it in the first place but I'm glad it was there ready and waiting. I quickly used up the glue and pack of refills but it is a breeze to apply and works so well. I had to search a bit to buy more refills and realized it is quite an expensive way to baste (because I have so many hexagons to do!). In a pinch, when my pen was empty, I tried both a regular Elmer's school glue stick and Lapel Stick (fabric glue for collars and hems) and neither stuck as well and were very cumbersome to use. So, I have resolved to keep on with the pen-shape glue and suck up the cost (still a relatively small price to pay for excellent results and ease of application).

While I was in Florida I picked up a Sewline version of the fabric glue pen and a pack of refills. The various brands are really actually almost identical and in fact, the refills are interchangeable. Some have blue glue, some have pink but they work the same way. Sewline is made in Japan and darn that cute pink & butterfly pen barrel - just so pretty in the hexie project storage container!

One thing I found initially is that I had no idea how to insert the refill cartridges. I know it's not rocket science but I just couldn't figure it out. Apparently I'm not the only one and I found an excellent quick video demonstration on how to refill the glue pens (watch below). It so happens that the tutorial is by Helen Stubbings herself - the amazing Craftsy instructor who teaches the Quick & Easy English Paper Piecing class! She also shares some great tips on what to do with the empty plastic cartridges - I love that! I highly recommend glue basting for this type of quilting. It is so quick, convenient, and very effective.

You may be wondering about having the glue residue on your fabric (and quilt) but of course, it is perfectly safe, water soluble and washes away when the quilt is laundered. There is also no concern or problem removing the paper hexie templates when the time arrives. I save up a stack of the flowers over the week and then simply use my old Cricut spatula to gently run under the edge of the seam allowance. The papers pop right out and there are no threads to cut or pick. It's awesome!

Beachy Scrapbook, Hexi Stack & Rhubarb Cake

It's time for me to put away the quilting stuff and work on my holiday scrapbook over the weekend (which happens to be a long one in Canada). I chose this pretty blue 8"x8" coverset (from Creative Memories) and the Cool Serenity paper packs to go along with it. I think they will be perfect for my beach-themed photos and I am looking forward to getting started.

As I wait for the weekend to start I have been slowly working on a quilty gift downstairs while stitching away at my hexies upstairs. I am pleased with my total of 43 completed flowers so far and it's very satisfying to see them starting to stack up in my container. I can't wait to begin setting them out on the design wall and joining all those colourful Grandmother's Flower Garden units together. I've purchased yet another quilt book with ideas for using hexies in gifts and small projects because I'm already anticipating the hand-piecing hole in my life when this current English paper piecing quilt is finished - even though it's probably years away! I'll share the book in a future post since I pre-ordered it and have to be patient for it to arrive.

I've also been doing a little baking since the rhubarb is up in the garden and must be eaten (hey, while it's fresh right?). I've stewed some for dessert topping on yogurt and ice cream and just pulled an Upside Down Rhubarb cake from the oven (which I shared in THIS POST and THIS POST) and it smells amazing! You can watch my video recipe below...yum!

Other than that, I've been getting ready for 3 graduations and 3 birthdays! That is a lot of thinking, prepping, and shopping to do and I imagine I will be all out of gift ideas after that...

 

by annie's Soft and Stable

I've had Soft and Stable on my 'get list' for ages and finally bought some while in the States. I found it in a small quilt shop and the owner only had one package with an 18"x58" piece in stock but assured me it would be enough for a standard tote bag. This product has been featured on several videos and Annie herself demonstrated some cute placemats on the Fat Quarter Shop channel (see below).

Soft and Stable is much thicker than other stabilizers and allows for bags and purses to have more body and maintain shape. It's still lightweight and easy to sew, is washable, and soft. I'm really excited to give it a try because I dislike 'floppy' fabric bags. I have had a pattern and fabric for a tote bag ready on my table but was waiting to get the stabilizer. Now I'm all set but realize the pattern only asks for medium weight fusible interfacing. I'm no expert but I'm sure I can just use the Soft and Stable in its place. The tutorials on byannie.com make it seem very simple to use so it shouldn't be a problem. I'll be sure to share the results when it's done. If I can't figure it out I will totally be making the placemats instead!

Island Time

I know I have been absent but I've been on 'island time'. We had a wonderful week away in the sun and have returned very relaxed! That doesn't mean, of course, that I left my sewing behind. I packed up my trusty English Paper Piecing kit and caboodle and loved every stitch overlooking the ocean (or the runway...or the airline seat tray or the ball game on t.v.!). I kept to my quota of one flower a day and actually exceeded it while in the air. The hobby even relieved some of my flying anxiety, which was great.

I didn't do too much shopping but did pick up a couple things. The first was a tube of gorgeous Roxanne appliqué needles. I wanted a quantity of size #10 since those are the ones I like best from a sample pack I've been using. Roxanne's are made in England so I know they are of good quality and once I got back to the hotel and tried one, I was in love! They simply glide through the fabric, feel terrific in my hand, and I was delighted to see the wee tiny sea shell on the tube stopper. What a perfect souvenir from my vacation.

I'll share the other goodies in second post since I have a ton of laundry to do and have to figure out how to cook dinner again. I'm so sorry to have missed writing for you but with no secure wifi and the call of the ocean breeze, I just couldn't make it happen.

Happy Mother's Day to all the moms...I was spoiled by my babies but sure do miss my own mum. 

Vintage Iron

I am having fun finding new vintage items to add to my sewing collection. Small, inexpensive notions and retro gear are the perfect additions to the theme without taking up too much room or cash. My latest wish was for a 1960s era travel iron. These old irons are awesome for quilting because they are super hot and have a good point at the tip, not to mention they are adorable. Despite being a 'travel' version, this little iron has some weight and heft to it - also a good feature when pressing patchwork.

I found a General Electric iron on-line and it is in great shape - almost like it was never used. The cord is perfect and it came complete in the box with manual and water bottle to make it a steam iron. It has a temperature dial to select the appropriate heat for the desired fabric and a flip-down handle for travel. It works perfectly and is so comfortable to use. They really don't make 'em like they used to.

I think this iron is so cute and charming BUT the vintage models do come with a caution. First of all, they get extremely hot so care must be taken while using to avoid burning - both the fabric and one's skin! They also have no modern-day shut off system so one needs to be vigilant about unplugging them. A good rule of thumb is to NEVER leave them unattended when plugged in! There are stories of dangerous fires from these irons so it's important to be careful and be extra attentive. Also, most of the older irons have cloth cords. While mine is in perfect condition there are some worries using an iron with an old fashioned, un-certified plug. I will use my new/old iron occasionally when I am piecing patchwork but for the most part it will be a decorative item in my workshop.

Cute Mug Rug

I made a quick mug rug following this tutorial from Beverly's. It's a simple quilt-as-you-go project that can use up your scraps or feature a special patch of fabric. I printed a logo onto a sheet of Printed Treasures fabric for the largest square and used a book-themed fabric line for the remainder. I fussy cut the prints so I could have some text as well as images. It turned out so cute!

Beverly also shares some fun printable messages that can also be used within the design. I added one to my backing fabric as a label. Another, customizable idea would be to print a photo for a personalized gift - there are so many possibilities. I'm definitely making more of these cute mug rugs and next time I'm going to add the optional pocket for a tea bag or treat.

Vintage Singer Blind Stitch Attachment

I am so excited to have found this vintage Singer Blind Stitch Attachment. It came complete in the box with the instruction booklet and original bill of sale from 1963. It works perfectly and again, is such a wonderful example of Singer ingenuity. To be able to achieve alternate stitches and functions on a straight-stitch only machine is pretty incredible.

The specialty foot is quickly attached to the presser bar with a screw after removing the regular foot. There is an adjustable guide to rest the fold of a blind hem against to achieve various 'bite widths' and the foot moves the fabric every 12 stitches to allow for them. I don't really do any hemming on clothing (and I only tested the foot on a small sample fabric strip which I probably folded incorrectly) but I'm sure there are situations when I might want to use an invisible hem stitch. I will have to practice folding the fabric better since that always confuses me a bit. No matter what, the box looks great in my cabinet and is an excellent new addition to my Singer attachments collection.

You can watch my brief video to see the blind stitch attachment in action on my Featherweight 221...