Wildlife has been visiting frequently this past week. This deer was behind the house on the hillside, almost concealed by the very tall vegetation back there. She can eat as much of that as she wants. Actually, I would like her to eat it all, LOL!!
Wilson, our resident woodchuck, stopped by to slurp up some seeds that fell to the ground below the feeder.
Two female turkeys have made regular appearances, pecking at the ground. They may have had a tiff between them as there are a bunch of feathers in the yard.
I was the program speaker this past week in Burnsville, and thoroughly enjoyed my time with this great group of ladies. They took notes, participated with questions, laughed at my jokes, and seemed to have fun. It was a joy to speak to many of them after the program.
The trunk show included Pumpkin Star, Scrap Dance Tango, Scrap Dance Pachanga, and Scrap Dance Twist.
I also showed Scrap Dance Original, Scrap Dance Waltz, Chocolate Cherries, and Autumn Celebration. All patterns are available on My Patterns page.
While we were out doing errands last week, I found MINI to ‘duck’. I wonder what the owner thought when he/she got back to their car and found it. I made up some little cards with a MINI and a yellow duck to add to the club card.
Back home in sewing room, I made significant progress on quilting Quadrille. Here’s a peak at the borders we are doing next month. I’ll have full details and numbers for you in July for all the sizes. I only have two more rows of blocks to do, so I am hoping to finish the quilting this week while it rains.
When I needed a break from standing, I began work on an embroidery project. Here I have pulled the thread colors, I just need to hoop the fabric.
Then, this came home last week, another sewing machine, LOL! This smaller Brother is a good size for taking to classes, and also has embroidery capability so I might be able to use some designs off the internet. I want to do more embroidered labels that my current embroidery machine just is too cumbersome to use. It does fine on motifs, like the Santa above, but lettering is a pain. (If you want to see some fabulous labels, see my friend Mary’s blog post on hers HERE.)
My Sweet Babboo is of the opinion that no one needs eleven sewing machines even if four of them are antiques. So he is encouraging me to consider re-homing at least one of mine. The one that makes the most sense is this Kenmore that I have had since 1975. I don’t use it much, only enough to keep it in working condition, but it has great sentimental value. It was the first machine purchase I made, and it sewed faithfully for me through college and beyond making clothes and home decor. It has been a reliable friend, and it has all metal parts. It will never wear out.
I have my older Brother PC7500 embroidery machine sitting next to my Brother BQ950 machine so that I can work on piecing a project while the embroidery one sews. If I eliminate the Kenmore, I can buy another table and move both this embroidery machine and the new one to the space which is right behind this table.
So, I spent half a day rounding up all the pieces, parts, bobbins, feet, and accessories for the Kenmore, then closed the cabinet. I moved the older embroidery machine to the top of the cabinet to test my theory. I think this will work. I’ll be able to sew on the primary table while the embroidery machines do their stitching behind me. Then, all that is needed is to turn around when the color needs changing. An added bonus is it frees up space on my primary table for projects. The serger will stay where it is and the main sewing machine can shift down a bit to give more space on that end too. I’ve ordered a table, and it should get delivered next week. When it arrives, I’ll donate the Kenmore somewhere.
Since the new machine is easily portable, I am also going to sell my Janome Jem Gold. It is a little workhorse, lightweight and easy to take to classes.
I will be selling it with all its accessories and the carrying case, shown here when I took it to retreat. If you are local, and interested in this one, let me know.
On a roll, I will likely sell my Featherweight too. It is a 1941 model, with a beautifully scrolled face plate, made in Elizabethport, NJ. It comes with accessories, a hard case, and a new foot control. Yes, it runs, so could be used for classes and retreats.
It will be hard to downsize all this when the time comes to move into a smaller place with less upkeep. So, best I get started with a few things now. This coming week I’ll be taking photos and creating sale listings, working more on Quadrille, and clearing out a few drawers to move things around for efficiency.
What will you working on this week?
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From My Carolina Home 
After seeing your photo, I realize it was a woodchuck I saw in our yard recently. I was surprised to hear you spoke in Burnsville, as I live in Burnsville. Then I remembered you have a Burnsville in North Carolina, too!
Congrats on acquiring the new Brother sewing/embroidery machine. Tell me more about it! I agree about too many machines! I have several old ones that aren’t used and they need to move along. I alternate between taking my featherweight and a little brother machine to quilt bees. Thanks for the pingback.
Sniff, sniff – could you feel me shedding a tear when you said “sell the Kenmore?” I had a comparable model, my about to be husband bought for me, in 1976. I donated mine to a school sale & still miss it. We have almost the same set of sewing machines. I also have a Gem, a similar (big) Brother, & the small Babylock embroidery like the little Brother. My husband says there’s room for a long arm, but I disagree.
Getting rid of machines is so hard, regardless of how many you have. But, you have done a thoughtful sort.
Hi Carole. I had to comment on the photo of your featherweight. I have the same little book the bear is holding in my own collection of sewing related items. I am working on a flannel quilt this week as a gift for the grandson, who just graduated from High School. His party is next weekend, but top and back is done. Today I am pinning them up and will quilt tomorrow. That project will be a zero waste one…I’ll use all of the fabrics up, no leftovers. A win-win!
Just a thought on your Kenmore…maybe donate it to the women’s shelter or the local 4-H program? If I were closer I would be driving over to buy your featherweight!
I did say above that it would be donated. Probably to Safelight.
I had no idea you had so many sewing machines! Your quilts are so beautiful, I can’t imagine the patience and work you put into them. I know the people you spoke to in Burnsville were very impressed. Have a great week Carole, and good luck with your reorganizing.
Always enjoy your wildlife photos – especially the turkeys! I have a Kenmore just about the same vintage as yours. I don’t use it anymore, but it’s hard to think about getting rid of it, as it was also my first machine. Good luck with your downsizing!
I taught myself to sew on my mother’s Sears cabinet machine that looked much like yours, but it was a few years earlier than 1975. Thanks for the memory!
Different wildlife to what I get…..I enjoy the pics…..
Big decision to off load some machines…….I too have way too many……. But so many of the old ones are sentimental…….
If I lived closer….
I, too, am getting rid of machines. We are downsizing or eliminating our apartment in Boston. I feel your pain. It is good to have the right set of things and glad you got a machine you can use for labels. I like making them on mine, but I have been so busy on other things, I haven’t really done labels in a bit.
Carole, I love seeing your wildlife photos! Wow, all of those sewing machines and I have never owned one, I guess because I gave up on sewing in the 7th grade when it took me six weeks to complete an apron!
I bought my first Viking right out of college and paid it off the week before I got married. I loved that machine and it was a good work horse. I sewed all my clothes and my kids clothes even swimsuits on it. When we bought a Viking Sewing Machine dealership I was encouraged to sell my machine by my husband. I resisted but did sell my first straight stitch machine gifted to me by my mom. Eventually I did sell my old Viking with lots of tears as the gal took it out of the shop. It went to a good home and is probably still in use. I know the feeling and emotional attachment we get with our machines seems crazy but it is like the hubby who has an attachment with that old truck or car who wouldn’t admit it.
I hope you find some good homes for your machines.
My sister has that same Kenmore machine. I have cleaned it several times. She complains about it but it is HER. She forgets how to thread it. also the bobbin. She is silly
It is a good machine.
I have all old machines. No computerized at all.
I have three Featherweights, a 301A, my moms German Singer (forgot the number and I am treadmilling at the moment) I use one Featherweight and these two Singers exclusively.
I have more old machines.
Your yard visitors are so wonderful. I love all of your Dance quilts.
Awww…my first sewing machine was a Kenmore much like yours. It was a few years younger than yours had a beautiful cabinet with drawers on the right side. I used it a LOT. I made clothes for myself and my three children, curtains, etc. I sold it when I bought my Janome around 2005 and I kind of regret doing so.
I used to collect vintage Singer but sold most of them a few years ago when I began downsizing. I still have a Singer 301a and 401a as well as two Featherweights.
Love the machine collection! My oldest Singer was a wedding shower gift in 1974-looks just like yours. The Brother goes to classes, as does my Featherweight, only on Featherweight outings! The antiques stay home, as does my most used Singer quilter. Great idea to donate. Need to check out your patterns page when done with my QOV’s!
Your pictures got more enticing as I read your blog – precious animal photos, ducking minis and then SEWING MACHINES! You had me mesmerized with your story on the Kenmore!
I gave my first sewing machine to my adult daughter. I would ask to use it as it would go threw several layers and had a perfect stitch. I later bought an identical machine and restored it. We can share presser feet!
My pfaff 7570 died and they no longer make parts for it – hard swallow. I loved this machine and it was a big letdown.
When you gift a machine, your machine will get used, it may be the recipients livelihood and they will know they are cared about. That’s impactful!
You do beautiful quilt work. Thanks for sharing your work and the wonderful wildlife n your backyard with us.
Velva
As always I enjoy seeing your wildlife. It’s interesting that they just wander by nibbling here and there.
Your quilts are just beautiful and are lovely to show.
I admire your collection of sewing machines. I sew on a Pfaff and I know her idiosyncrasies and we have built a nice working relationship. I also have an Husqvarna which was meant to make me a brilliant quilter and save me sending my quilts out to be quilted! It didn’t!! So it needs to go and help someone else sew better. There are a couple of others – my first Singer ‘straight sewer’ that I used for years. And another bought in a weak moment which only sews by turning the little handle by hand. I’m sure there is somebody out there that would love to own it – for old times sake!
I am working on Quadrille and hope to have it ready for borders by July.
Hello Carole: I continue to enjoy your posts even tho. I don`t interact frequently. Love it all — gardening, wildlife and more. My first sewing machine was a simple straight stitch Kenmore, too — like in the late `50`s – forget exactly. Still have it, but it is not used. Wish I had done what was suggested to me way back at a service of it. The man who did the service suggested getting another motor for it because they would no longer be available soon I was told. Well I didn`t do that. This one still runs, at least I think so — have considered making a table space for it and checking it out again. The motor sound, I recall, is growly sounding, but was told at the time it was a little work horse and would run a long time. Should oil it and make a place to use it. I chose it at the time because it is just like the one my Mom had (and my Grandmother, too) when I was young, so I was familiar with it. I was probably around 20 when I got an apartment on my own and realized I needed a machine to mend things, etc. and more sewing ensued from there over my life.
I will be 86 next month — still sewing, altho. not as steadily as I seem to want to make time for — have many ideas/projects in my mind all the time — other things seem to occupy my attentions first. My quilting experiences are just small items — don`t think I will do the big items (quilts), altho. I used to think I would. I make clothes for myself and I sewed alot when my now adult grandchildren were very young — made cute outfits for them in those years and sewed for my two daughters, too in their younger years. My mind wants to make many things in a variety of areas — just seems to be the way my thoughts go when my attention gets on something and I say I can make that.
Carole, I would like to ask you a couple of things outside of this comment area of others. Unsure how to do that, altho. you did tell me once some time ago. Would that be O.K. with you? Thank you, Nancy L.
I love reading your weekly chat and recognize that Kenmore. It is similar one that was given to me at the age of 12 by my mother. She only had one machine and did alterations and clothing construction for people, so it wasn’t available to me very often. Thus, I got a great gift and used it for many years. Sadly, I don’t remember what I did with it when I bought a newer machine. I have recently been looking at embroidery machines to do some very basic things like lettering and labels. Can you tell me a bit about the brother that you just acquired?
Thank you, Doris R
so many pretty quilts and love to see wildlife
My boys will have to worry about it, because I’m not getting rid of a single one before I die. I love every one, want every one, and occasionally use each one. If I downsize, clothes can go, furniture can go, but not one single sewing machine. LOL Great wildlife pictures.
I have three antique machines…two are family heirlooms. I donated a kenmore machine to a program for low income women learning to sew. The recipient was thrilled to have her own machine! You seem to have a regular parade of wildlife in your yard. Have a good week!
I’ll bet you are a terrific speaker! And gorgeous show and tell. I’m glad you found a spot for a duck. And well done — one machine is a start!
Hello, my name is Jan nagle. Even though your website says Carolina, are you located in Minnesota? If so, I know a worthy charity that would take a donated sewing machine. Bundles of Love Charity in burnsville, mn, sews a full layette for newborn babies in need. The layette also has a baby quilt in it. The bundle is given away free. This charity is totally volunteer run. There is a workroom with sergers and sewing machines for volunteers to use on premises. Thanks for your consideration.
I live in North Carolina. We have a Burnsville here too. Sounds like a wonderful charity.
Thank you for your quick response!
I love the wildlife. I recently received a “new to me” embroidery machine. I was wanting it to do labels which, I’m finding I will need some software to make that happen. But, I semi-retired my 43 year old Kenmore also. I have a walking foot on it so I pull it out to sew bindings. Maybe it won’t feel abandoned, just neglected.
So many sweet visitors to your yard. Love seeing all the wildlife. Sounds like a wonderful evening for all at the Bursville guild. You have quite a collection of quilts & machines. They all contribute to our happiness, don’t they?
Those machines will make 2 people very happy! I have a Gem Gold and it’s a true workhorse.
A woodchuck is a new creature on me! Never heard of them!
We had an enjoyable evening with friends being shown through the fabulous photos taken on their recent bird watching tour of southern Arizona. The only bird I recognised from your bird table was the Cardinal. I guess the native bird list of USA must be very long indeed with such a variety of habitats in one country.
Oh wow. I have one sewing machine that doesn’t even allow me to drop the feed dogs for free motion quilting. My daughter has my origninal Kenmore, but she is not a sewist. I gave it to her for curtain hemming. I am hoping to convince my husband that I could use at least one more. We shall see.