Stitch length regulator knobs often end up jammed solid on machines that have spent decades in cupboards. The only way to ease them free is with lashings of oil and patience - don't expect a result the same day.
Then you are raring to go with a project. Halfway through you start wondering where the little oily smudges are coming from on your hitherto pristine work. Cleaning it off with washing up liquid gives time for reflection... and you realise that the stitch length knob is the culprit.
The solution? Well you could create a stylish little cosy in black velvet with gold trim to match the machine. Otherwise, you could reach for the nearest paper bag, rip off a strip and keep it in place with sellotape. The latter option has more immediate appeal.
The pub was packed on 4th June. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee coincided with the first anniversary of the pub reopening after being renovated. The landlady made a fabulous Union Jack cake...
... and in the nick of time I finished a wall hanging that took pride of place in the restaurant for about ten days.
Being a true vintage girl and in a patriotic frame of mind, I used only Singers (made in Scotland) for this project - my 1927 99K (hand machine) for the applique, and all the quilting was done on the 15K treadle.
Welcome to Janice Jackson!
Just a little fragment of glass incorporated into a newer window. Country churches always have fascinating little surprises in store. This one is in Suffolk. The grey sky looks suspiciously like this year, but it was in fact two years ago.
Just one last picture, and you can play spot the oil hole. No prizes on offer, but you can claim the glory by posting a comment to say where it is.
Being a true couch potato I sat through last night's Olympic Opening Ceremony and had the incomparable pleasure of seeing the Queen and Daniel Craig taking the art of understatement to its pinnacle. The video also features a sewing machine. Here is the link, so you can play at freeze frame in the first few seconds and then dash off furious letters to the props department at the Beeb asking why the handle of the sewing machine was not clicked into position. And why wasn't it in a base either.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW5abat5NEU
If you have trouble with the link, search Youtube for "Mr. Bond escorts the Queen."
Hello Gin! (That's a greeting to the latest follower, not a private conversation into my glass)
And hello Laura Jean who has appeared just this minute!
This picture of the Vesta shows a very helpful feature that Vesta included on their machines. The holes for lubricating the machine were outlined in red, so there was no chance of wasting oil by ramming it down the wrong hole.
Welcome back to Kmalmquist, and hello Lala!
First of all, thank you and welcome back to Artymess, Fabriquefantastique and Scott Egerton, who have now reappeared through the cybermaze!
Now feast your eyes on the beautiful designs. Can't you just imagine them stitched in tiny satin stitch, or woven into brocade, or printed on silk? Where have you seen similar designs? This could be a special assignment for Fabriquefantastique.
Somewhere in this house I have an old(ish) little book in German of children in peasant costume, which I should examine with a magnifying glass. I must dig the book out some time. I just wish I knew where to start digging.
I enjoyed visiting your blogs this afternoon, planning a nice quiet Sunday afternoon reading through your posts and looking at the pictures. And suddenly, by magic, this evening half of you have disappeared.
Was it me? Did I hit the wrong button? Am I suddenly too old for computers because it was my birthday earlier this month? Or has blogger developed a warp in the ether and sucked your icons into oblivion?
So a special welcome to Acceleratio, AnonymousG, and Duncan, whose icons are here tonight...
and an equally warm welcome to Artymess and Fabriquefantastique, whose icons have disappeared,
and another equally warm and apologetic welcome to the other two or three followers whose names totally escape me and whose icons have also disappeared... you will be welcomed back with open arms.
Terribly sorry everyone. I feel such a dimwit.
