Friday, April 22, 2016

If only my real sewing machine looked like this!!!

I have included this pattern ( aquiltingsheep )  into my scrappy color challenge this year. The difference is I am doing it in specific colors. What do you think of this background?? It's spools of thread.


I sorted out enough scraps to fit over the pattern and stitched them together.




Then I put some thin fusible interfacing, right sides together with the scraps, placed the paper pattern over it and sewed around.


I pinned it in two places first, and left a big opening to turn it right sides out.

The pattern calls for using raw edge fusible but I wanted turned edges.
The good news and the bad news. The fusible interfacing I use for this technique is cheap.
It is also tissue thin and tears easily like paper, so be careful when turning appliques.




What about this background??   I decided to use several fabrics for backgrounds, and to cut into the one yard pieces. If not with abandon, at least with intention. I bought them to use. I've been keeping the whole yards for a long time now. So what if I reach for one and a square is cut out?
I am too reluctant to cut into yardage.
This time I decided to just use them. They are each so cute, and I like cute, and my plan is to sew all these big blocks end to end to make a banner to go in my studio. Why ever not cut into my collection so I can enjoy the prints instead of storing them??? If I need a larger amount for some future project, well I will cross that fabric bridge when I come to it!
After all, More is Better right? 
Now we can talk about the actual machines... I am in love with them. If only my real machine looked like any of these!! The purple one has Ballerina pigs. (did you know I studied ballet for 10 years?)
and the black and white one with cows, and doggie foot prints...
and the blue one has a dancing Alligator.

When I lived in Tampa I belonged to a cajun dance group. Oh we had fun, Cher!
laissez le bon temps rouler!  We still love to do cajun jitterbug and zydeco dance. Alligators, flowers, butterflies and sail boats along the very bottom.
I mean, if you you can't have fun quilting then why not?

linking to some parties including:
superscrappy 
quiltingreadersgarden
Whomp there it is

look what Ivani showed me!! An orange sewing machine by Vigorelli from the 1970's
Image result for vigorelli orange sewing machine

54 comments:

Mary in Boulder said...

What a fun post! Love all your machines and all the different backgrounds. Go wild, girl! If not now, when?

Joanne said...

I would love to start collecting those types of sewing machines!
They're so cool LeeAnna!
"Use it" is really working!
And if you need to go out and get more...great!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Take care,
Joanne

Joanne said...

I would love to start collecting those types of sewing machines!
They're so cool LeeAnna!
"Use it" is really working!
And if you need to go out and get more...great!
Thanks for the inspiration!
Take care,
Joanne

Paige said...

What a great way to use up scraps! They are so cute!

barbara woods said...

Hi sweetie, love those

PaintedThread said...

Love the ballerina pigs.

Hard to pick a favorite, but the orange one really stands out. Fun stuff!

PaulaB quilts said...

Each one has a distinct personality as well as color. They show who made them. They will be super on your wall.

Christine Slaughter said...

These sewing machines are fabulous! I love the colors in each one!

Maria said...

Love.those.machines! I like the spools of thread background!

sonja said...

What great blocks! that machine shape reminds me of my Bernina 830 Record, i named Bernie!

Jan said...

Always looking for an excuse to save tiny scraps of fabric. This is adorable use of them.

Susan said...

Love your personalized machines! I like that you are cutting into the yardage. The first one is the hardest one, but it gets easier after that - until you get to the last fat eighth of it. Then it's hard again. LOL But you know, they are always making more fabulous designs in fabrics!

LA Paylor said...

probably easier to cut the last fat 8th! Then it's a scrap

Angie in SoCal said...

How cool are those, Lea Anna! Love them. Thanks for linking to WIPs Be Gone. The minute I saw them I had to come over.

Kaja said...

Good for you cutting into your yardage - we buy it to use it after all. Don't we all wish they made machines that looked like these?

Unknown said...

Love your sewing machines!!

gayle said...

Oh, I love them! As you showed each one, I thought "Oh, that one's my favorite!" and then "No, that one!" for Every. Single. One. 8)
I have a hard time cutting into yardage, too. It helps me if I just slice off a 2.5" strip parallel to the selvage - less painful for the first cut, and now it's cut into and doesn't count as yardage anymore. (Ah, the little tricks I have to play on myself...)

Julierose said...

these are O SO adorable--loving the fussy cuts adorning your dream machines...what fun!! Hugs Julierose

LIttle Penguin Quilts said...

Your sewing machines are great! I hadn't seen them before. Thanks for the link to the pattern - I'm going to have to try that!

Kate said...

Fun, fun, fun! Those will make a very cute banner for your sewing room.

Turid said...

So fun sewing machines. When will I have the time to try all these fantastic ideas?

Jo said...

That will be a fun banner with a lot of I Spies to remember your life

Cathy said...

I love all your sewing machines, but that dancing alligator is hilarious!! And you are apparently still letting the good times roll! :-)

Angie said...

Love the "custom" sewing machines! I'm going to go put on Down At the Twist & Shout right now - if my honey was here we'd share a dance in your honor!

Beausoleil Quilts said...

Your low volume backgrounds are going to look lovely with the sewing machines. I know what you mean about not wanting to cut into precious fabric- I am the same.

Marly said...

Lovely sewing machines; they're going to make a great banner.

Anonymous said...

What a funny idea! Sewing sewing-machines and they look great, I think!

Cathy said...

Those are my kind of sewing machines!

Peggyinno said...

Love how each machine has it's own personality!! What a great idea! I like the low volume background, just what they needed!

Jayne said...

I can totally see these as a banner now! How fun, such a great idea!

MissPat said...

Just got home from a quilt retreat. Love all the sewing machines. You get such great ideas.
Realizing that I have way too much stored fabric, I have begun cutting into yardage to make strips and then scraps. Better to see it put to use than just sitting in plastic bins and totes. I'm never going to use up all the fabric I have anyway. Love your neutrals. I can't call them low volume. It sounds pretentious. Keep up the whimsy. I thoroughly enjoy your posts.

MissPat said...

Just got home from a quilt retreat. Love all the sewing machines. You get such great ideas.
Realizing that I have way too much stored fabric, I have begun cutting into yardage to make strips and then scraps. Better to see it put to use than just sitting in plastic bins and totes. I'm never going to use up all the fabric I have anyway. Love your neutrals. I can't call them low volume. It sounds pretentious. Keep up the whimsy. I thoroughly enjoy your posts.

Quiltdivajulie said...

These are simply wonderful - especially because they represent you being able to USE the fabrics you have "kept" for a special occasion!

Ivani said...

Love them all! Vigorelli in Brazil made some orange sewing machine named Alta Costura during the 70 years.

Pamela Arbour said...

I love your sewing machines. What a great idea!

Terry Aske Art Quilts said...

Love your colorful collection of sewing machines!

Sally Trude said...

Those are wonderful sewing machines. I remember when you warned me about the mother board on my sewing machine and I promptly went out and bought a Singer 301 (beige).

AlidaP said...

They are so lovely! Who wouldn't want a sewing machine with a dancing alligator!! Thanks for sharing!!

Sheila said...

Oh my! I LOVE all your colorful sewing machines! They are so cute!

Lori in South Dakota said...

An orange sewing machine would be perfect!

The Colorful Fabriholic said...

So cute! And those backgrounds need to be used. If ever you need more, there's always more fabric out there.

Connie Kresin Campbell said...

Oh my gosh, Lee Anna, those are just too cute!! I have got to get my boxes of scraps out and play too!

Sue said...

I love those sewing machines! Keep going. Also, I have had good luck with non-fusible, lightweight non-woven pellon for turned edge appliques with complex shapes like these...but leave plenty in the seam allowance, lest you should poke holes!

Sue said...

I love those sewing machines! Keep going. Also, I have had good luck with non-fusible, lightweight non-woven pellon for turned edge appliques with complex shapes like these...but leave plenty in the seam allowance, lest you should poke holes!

Stephie said...

The spools are the perfect background LeeAnna! And omg - an orange sewing machine, that's my favourite colour EVER and now I want it!!!

Claire said...

I'll long remember cutting "if not with abandon, at least with intention"! Yep, some fabrics are especially hard to cut into. What if some day I need this little bit I just cut off to complete a larger design? and other unwelcome hesitations.

Michelle in Holly said...

Thanks for showing me this project of yours!! A banner of rainbow colored sewing machines is EXACTLY what my sewing center needs!! I am off to find the template and get started. Your work is lovely and I am so happy that you shared!

saroy said...

These are adorable!

Deb A said...

That is going to make a stunning banner for your studio! So fun and fresh. Cut away into those yardages...... You can always buy more =)

Janie said...

Very refreshing, thank you!

Ann said...

So many of us love your sewing machine scrap blocks. How kind to share your method. It will make a great quilt for your studio. Thanks for linking with AHIQ, LeeAnna.

The Cozy Quilter said...

Fun sewing machines, full of personality and memories!

Shelina (formerly known as Shasta) said...

These are adorable sewing machines, and making several makes them even better! Gorgeous.

Susan said...

These are just too cute! And I think I have that fairy fabric!