Rescuing "Sophie"

There I was, doing what I so often do...mindlessly rummaging through the aisles of the Goodwill Store. The store seemed way more crowded than usual with items, not necessarily people and I noticed quite a few large-sized donations had been made since I was there last. I was greeted by the sound of a child banging on an old piano followed by an adult (I assumed) actually playing a part of a song, which was quite beautiful. I thought to myself that I had never seen a piano before at a Goodwill store. As I walked over in that direction and made my way past a few large pieces of furniture, there she stood, in all of her glory.

I'm pretty positive I remember hearing myself gasp when I saw her. I immediately sought out that familiar bright orange price sticker and gasped again.

NO WAY....$30...ARE YOU KIDDING ME??!! I gave her a quick once-over and could tell she was in pretty good shape for her age, although there was some water damage to the veneer on top. The cabinet itself was in good shape and all of the drawers were intact. The treadle worked and the needle mechanism as well but was missing the belt. As you can see, she is well over 100 years old.

 

Temptation grabbed a hold of me and wouldn't let go. Does that ever happen to you? So I whipped out my phone, took a photo and sent it to Jim at work. I toyed around with the idea of just going ahead and getting it as I browsed the store, all the while continually glancing in the general vicinity of her location...to make sure no one else was admiring her. Jim hadn't responded back to me so good sense won out and I left the store...without her, being the good little submissive wife that I am (um...yeah...that's me).  I could have kicked myself as I bid her adieu, looking over my shoulder as I exited. After I had been home for probably a couple of hours, Jim called me and wondered why I was sending him a picture of a sewing machine. I told him my sad story and he asked me why I didn't buy it. What?? You could have called me back before I left the store!!  So he told me to call and see if it was still there. I did and it was....YESSSS!! So off I went to rescue this beautiful piece of vintage workmanship.

Since then, I have been scanning Pinterest and YouTube for information about restoration and the like. At first I was mostly interested in the cabinet but after seeing so much on the web, I decided I wanted to get her back in working order like so many others have done. I also learned a few things about this model, in particular...it's what's called the Singer 66 Red Eye model. I supposed you already guessed where she gets her name. See all of those red eyes??

After I got her home, sprayed off and wiped down, I could actually start to see what I was going to be dealing with. The veneer on either side of the top of the cabinet were looking pretty rough and the very top was totally bubbled up...hmmm...more research. I came to the decision to completely remove the veneer on the top and just "doctor up" the sides. I didn't want to get into more than I could handle, plus I didn't want to remove all of her character.

The rest of her was in pretty good shape.



This also gave me a great excuse to go out and get me a new toy!

So after removing not one, but two layers of veneer, I finally got down to the solid wood top. I found out why they add that lovely veneer...the wood underneath left a lot to be desired but Mr. Mouse did a great job on it. I used boiled linseed oil with a fine steel wool on the cabinet base and drawers. It worked like a miracle.

I spray painted the iron frame black and used an antique walnut all-in-one finish on the top. This is after the first coat of the new finish...still a little more work to do but just a little bit of an improvement, wouldn't you say?

 

During my reading up about old Singers, I discovered that many people who restore these machines give them names. I wanted my girl to have a name too so I pondered and pondered what I might name her. I have always liked the name Sophie so that's what I'm calling her. I was thinking about maybe spelling it S-e-w-p-h-i-e. Nahh, probably not :)

So now the real fun begins, restoring Sophie, herself. The belts and most likely any part that might be needed are available on ebay, although I don't think it will take a lot. I happen to know a wonderful mechanic named Aaron who may one day need a rainy day project during his slow season :) I will also be doing a bit more research about bringing her complexion back to life and brightening up those red eyes of hers. That will be a different post on a different day, my friends. Don't hold your breath, as this may take a while :)

Sharing at:

Mosaic Monday

Repurposing: Mother/Daughter Aprons

Hello my friends...and I hope you all are staying warm!
I'm linking up with Stephanie at Roses of Inspiration
and also Beverly's Pink Saturday
~
You know, I don't seem to hear the word repurposing used much anymore.

Now, the word seems to be upcycling.

I looked them both up recently and they basically mean the same thing.
I actually prefer the word repurpose...it seems to tell it like it is.
You are basically making one something into another something...that it wasn't before.

I think I'll stick with it :)

~

A few days before Christmas my son, Adam and his family moved into their new home.

We were also able to enjoy it for a few days during our visit over the holidays.

It is just loaded with rustic, country charm...and I do mean rustic...

 ...many of the building elements came from a one hundred year old barn. 

They are all about living the simple life on these beautiful 30 acres

and are planning to live off the land as much as possible.
Adam does a lot of hunting and they hope to plant a big garden this coming spring.

~

So I had been pondering the idea for this project for a while...
...I mean, country girls need aprons, right?
It wouldn't even hurt a city girl to have an apron or two!
~
Shortly after I started my blog in the summer of 2013,
 I shared a couple of posts about making aprons from repurposed items from Goodwill.
If you haven't been with me that long, you can check them out here and here.

So, on to my latest apron project...
...mother/daughter aprons for my sweet DIL and my one and only grand-daughter!

As you can see, they had been olden bibbed overalls in their former lives.
The skirts of the aprons are made from a floral and lace bed ruffle, also from Goodwill,
and trimmed with fabric remnants that I had on hand...no pattern...
...pretty much making it up as I went along.

I started out by cutting the front of the overalls away from the back,
and also cutting and removing the straps (since they are actually part of the back).
An adjustable neck loop made from some of the fabric and original metal hardware replaced this.

I apologize for not having an actual tutorial...
...I seem to always forget to take photos during the process!

So, using good sharp scissors, cut as close to the double seam as possible,
leaving the double seam on the front.
For DIL Carrie's apron, I cut the front of the overalls off just below the pockets.



Before I added the skirt to the bottom of the front,
I used a zig-zag stitch along the cut edge of the overalls, catching the bottom of the pocket linings,
(making sure they were flat) so the pockets could still be used.
~
I sewed the piece of the lace-edged bed ruffle (which was already gathered),
along with a shorter overlay ruffle of the contrasting fabric.
I used some of the extra lace (trimmed thinner) and top stitched it to cover the seam.
The sides were then turned under and finished with a machine stitched hem.



I made the apron ties from long-ish strips of the floral ruffle fabric,
pulling the ends through the existing button holes on the sides to create a loop and then sewed them.
I was thinking how handy those button holes were!

 

So for Olivia's apron, I followed pretty much the same procedure...
...but decided to cut the overalls off  just below the waistline, as you see below.

I wanted to use the denim patch pockets on the skirt so I cut them off the back of the overalls.
 I didn't cut the actual pocket but right up against it where they had been sewed on...
...I did not want to rip out any of that great stitching!
Since I had cut them completely off the overalls, the pockets had two layers...
...so I removed the inside layer by cutting very close to the top stitching inside the pockets.
I then sewed them on to  the skirt, stitching right up next to the original outer top stitching,
using a denim blue thread that blended right in.
Can you see the stitching?



I didn't think so :)
~

Of course a much shorter skirt length was need for Olivia's apron...
...so I removed the deep lace edging from the bottom, cut it to the appropriate length
 and added the lace back to trim the bottom.

There were metal buttons on the side...no buttons holes,
 so I made a waist band, continuing it to become the ties and trimmed with a thin edging of lace.



As in Mom's apron, a neck loop was added,
 and I finished each apron by adding a cute little rosette to them.



A strip of lace and fabric, hand gathered to form a circle and a button in the center.
They are attached with a safety pin to remove when laundering.



The girls just loved their aprons!

I have visions of these two cooking up a storm in their new country kitchen!

Do you repurpose or upcycle???

 

*also sharing at* 

Grace at Home

Fancy Little Pumpkins

Hello friends!
Can you believe that Thanksgiving is right around the corner?

I can barely wrap my mind around the fact that 2014 is nearly over...wow!

~
We all have seen those delightful stuffed pumpkins all over blogland and Pinterest...

...you may even have made some yourself.

The first time I laid eyes on them, I knew wanted to try my hand at making a few. 

So, here it is almost time for Christmas decor and I'm just now getting these little guys made!

~
I am not including a tutorial since there are so many out there.
It's basically a circle of fabric, any size you choose, stuffed with beans and batting...
...hand stitched around the edge, pulled tight, secured then the stem hot glued on. 

I started collecting pumpkin stems wherever I could.

You know those huge cardboard boxes at Walmart with pumpkins in them?

If you are lucky enough to find one empty, you will probably find a few.
So I made pumpkins for the stems that I found...four...and I have lots of fabric left.
Maybe I'll make more earlier in the season next year and have a giveaway!!

I wanted to make them all in different shades of velvet

 so I started searching the Goodwill Stores for whatever items I could find for the fabric.

This was not as easy as you might think.

Any other time I would have found many things velvet-ish...

...but we all know what happens when we begin to search specifically for something, right?
~

So, after several trips in about as many weeks,

I came across some things that I thought would make pretty little pumpkins.

The green and brown ones were created from velvet turtle neck shirts.

Even though I would have never worn them,

(I don't do turtlenecks plus they were in a size I haven't seen since junior high),

I still have this aversion to cutting up a perfectly good garment.

Well, I quickly got over it and started whacking away!

I really liked the colors and am pretty pleased how they turned out.

The paisley print had been a scarf in it's former life and the other from an orange lace shirt...

...one that I actually could wear...if I wore orange.

I don't do orange nor do I know why...even though pumpkins wear it very well.

Maybe that's the reason why I don't...I might just resemble one if I did!

Anyway, I thought the lace would really make a pretty pumpkin...and well, it's orange...

...how appropriate.

~
Then I fancied them up a bit.

I had seen others that had been "blinged out" so I played around with some vintage jewelry.

I thought the jewelry added some elegance to them...



...but decided I preferred them bling-less in the setting that I chose for them.

So...have you bought your turkey yet???

I'm sharing this with Judith at Mosaic Mondays.

Repurposed "Country Girl" Apron

Hey ya'll...I'm back with another apron I made from repurposed textiles!

Here's a little riddle for you:

What do you get when you combine a jeans skirt from Goodwill...
...a red bandana from the Dollar General...gotta love Dollar General...
...and some remnants of John Deere fabric?

You get a really cute apron that screams that familiar song...
"HE THINKS MY TRACTOR APRON'S SEXY..." :)

Back in the spring, before I started this blog, I made several aprons
for door prizes for our apron-themed Mother/Daughter Banquet at my church.
This was one of  them so since I wasn't blogging at the time,
I don't have a step-by-step tutorial for you.
I will explain the best way I can but I just know that all of you talented seamstresses
 out there can figure it out!




I started out by cutting the skirt (it was a short one) in half.
I used the back of the skirt since I liked it that the pockets were already there.
I am saving the front of the skirt for another one...it has a zippered fly and I think that will be cute.
I have some darling farm print pillow cases (from Goodwill of course) to add to it.

Oh well...another apron for another post :)

Next, I cut a bib, neck loop and ruffle from the John Deere fabric.
I also cut a triangle from the red hankie to add to mimic the look of a "neckerchief".

Cut double thickness of fabric for bib and stitch the triangle onto what will be the front.
 For the neck loop, you will need a piece about 5" by 18-20"...fold in half lengthwise and stitch, turn and press flat. Next, with right sides together, sew bib together including neck strap in the seam, leaving the bottom open...like you're making a pillow. Turn, and press flat. Finish the raw edge with zigzag stitch or seam binding and then sew it to the waistband of the skirt.





I cut a very long piece of fabric for the ruffle and machine stitched one edge for the hem.
If you have a ruffler attachment for your machine, now would be a great time to use it!
If not, pleat or gather it by hand. I found some red seam binding in my sewing basket that worked perfectly to trim the skirt where it had been cut to hide raw edges.
I then finished off the ruffled edge with a zigzag stitch and sewed the ruffle to the skirt.

Finally, I used the rest of the bandana as a belt and threaded it through the belt loops.

I added extra lengths of what remained for the ties.

And there you have it!

Now...

...run like a Deere down to the Goodwill for some linens or clothing to repurpose!  

Blessings!


Sharing at:

http://www.impartinggrace.com/2013/08/grace-at-home-no-71.html
http://www.create-with-joy.com/2013/08/friendship-friday-time.html
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2013/08/time-to-declutter-show-and-tell-friday.html
http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/2013/08/home-sweet-home-134.html
http://diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com/2013/08/fridays-five-features-no-6.html

Repurpsosed $1 Store Linens

Today I'm sharing this post from way back at Stephanie's Roses of Inspiration.
My blog doesn't have a Pinterest button but these little aprons have been pinned many times!
I made these little aprons as door prizes for a Mother-Daughter Banquet almost two years ago...
...just love these bright, cheery colors!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Looking for a cute idea for a gift for the little girls in your life? 

These cute little aprons couldn't be any simpler to make.

I made them from $1 Store pot holders and coordinating hand towels!
They were...you guessed it...a dollar a piece!

Each apron consists of one pot holder, half of one towel and wide grosgrain ribbon!

That's it!

Very little sewing is required. Sorry, there is not good quality tutorial...I wasn't blogging when I made these a couple of months ago, therefore I didn't take pics of the steps but I will try to explain the directions the best way I can! You can also double-click on the photos to enlarge them for a better view.

1. wash, dry and press each piece before hand
2. cut each hand towel in half (use the other half for another)
3. zig-zag stitch raw edge of cut towel and make a few soft pleats or gathers
4. you can finish off edges with fold-over binding if you want (optional)
5. cut length of ribbon long enough for waistband and ties (one piece)
6. center apron skirt to ribbon and sew two lines of stitches about 1/4" apart (see arrows)
7. center bottom edge of potholder waistband and make two rows of stitching (see arrows) 

8.  Next you will need to measure and cut a piece of ribbon for the neck loop. You can eyeball this or measure the little girl's size...of course it will need to be large enough to go over her head :) Turn under raw edges and sew two lines of stitching as you did before. I actually sewed a little rectangle (see arrow below).  Of course, don't forget to back stitch at the ends so it doesn't pull out.

Again, I apologize for not having a good tutorial with closer pics of the stitching, etc. but
I just know that you great crafters can figure it out! They really were so easy!

Have fun!
And let me know how they turned out!

Sharing this at:

http://sunnysimplelife.blogspot.com/2013/07/from-farm-blog-hop_26.html

http://www.impartinggrace.com/2013/07/grace-at-home-no-67.html

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2013/07/collage-maker-show-and-tell-friday.html

http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/2013/07/wow-us-wednesdays-128.html

http://rootedinthyme.blogspot.com/2013/07/new-dahlia-and-sweet-simple-fridays-73.html

http://www.itsoverflowing.com/2013/07/share-your-creativity-88/

http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2013/07/amaze-me-monday-17.html

http://sundayview.blogspot.com/2013/07/inspired-sunday-and-topanga-vintage.html

http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/07/175th-inspire-me-tuesday.html

http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/2013/07/make-it-pretty-monday-week-60.html

http://www.create-with-joy.com/2013/07/inspire-me-monday-week-82.html

http://www.diybydesign.blogspot.com/2013/07/sizzle-into-summer-its-party-128.html

http://www.tillysnest.com/2013/07/down-home-blog-hopnumber-48-make.html

http://www.mostlyhomemademom.com/2013/07/show-share-wednesday-48.html

http://www.deeprootsathome.com/encourage-one-another-wednesday-link-up-97/

http://www.adelightsomelife.com/2013/07/home-and-garden-thursday-40.html