Sewing machine and notion ads that make you think, sorta

Pinterest and Google searches come up with so many vintage sewing ads. Some make you laugh and some make you wonder. Others make you see how far people who sew have come. Here are a few that I thought you might enjoy.

I don't read the language, but I'm sure it means something fun. 

I guess if you wanted to get any sewing done in this woman's time, you needed to tie up your distraction. 

I'm not sure how I feel about this one's message. It sort of makes being a wife not a thing you'd want to be? 

Did you see the movie "Little Shop of Horrors," the one with Steve Martin as the dentist? This ad reminds me of Audrey singing "Somewhere That's Green." 

I thought this one was cute - catching a kiss over the wall and he has to stand on the machine table to reach his sweetie. 

This is a pretty standard advertisement, but I like the smile on her face and her perfect hair. 

Elna is one of the Cadillacs of sewing machines, but who knew it had a magic brain? 

And last, but not least, the cow spool holder. 

The look on the bovine's face says it all, don't you think? 

Feel free to let us know if you run across an ad that tickles your fancy.


Elna ad 
We found no attribution available for the other photos.
If any are yours, let me know and I'll credit you immediately.  

Sewing room progress

We have been renewing/remodeling the house over the past several months. One of my projects has been to reclaim the sewing room. When I had to empty it, I made sure to divide fabric and "stuff" into keep, give away, and not sure piles. I have gotten organized before, but this time, am taking the opportunity to get organized and keep it that way!

After the carpet and painting was done, I bought two shelving units and tons of see-through plastic bins that snap easily (hands are aging and the old one were getting harder to open!). I got 18-gallon bins for most things, smaller for other things, and kept 4 of my large bins for things like junk jeans and bigger runs of fabric.

As of today, I'm about 85% done moving my sewing goodies back into the room. It's so organized that I almost can't stand it! I ended up with 2 large boxes of fabric to give to my friend.

One side of the room has my 2 desks for sewing machines. I'm talking to a furniture builder about making a custom desk. The size of the room is a limiting factor, but I do like the size of these desks. I'm used to it. I have a folding table stored on the opposite wall to use for cutting. The only down side of the whole space is that the ironing board is in the other room, but that's a small price to pay for a good sewing space. 

Example of the shelves. Everything is categorized and the bins are marked front and back. I have 2 quilt tops that are done on the top shelf; I need to send those out for quilting. I know I'm never going to do it myself. On the other side of the room, I have an old reliable bookshelf and another small set of wire shelves. We will use the small shelves for items that we'll need outside (this shelf is right by the sliding door to the back yard). 

I told my husband today that I'm ready to retire and get to sewing! The new space is making me really want to get going.

Happy sewing!

Busy!

It's been a busy time in the sewing room. It seems like there's always something to mend or to create or fabric that just needs to be looked at one more time.

My sister recently moved in with us and the sewing room is filled to the brim with boxes. Two days ago, I mentioned to my husband that I needed to create a path to the sewing machine and ironing board, that I was having withdrawal! We spent a productive 15 minutes moving things around, and voila! I was in business again.

I finished some brain and blood spatter potholders:

and started to work on a denim project I have going.

I took a quick inventory of my UFOs hanging around - a quilt for a friend's mother, a vest I've been designing; and some items recently finished - a doll outfit and vest made of M&Ms fabric, and realized I need to step it up!

There is always sewing that needs to be done. Or is there sewing that I want to do? Is there a difference?

The bottom line is that I'm glad I have access to my machine and have 1,000 ideas of what I want to put together.

Here's hoping your spring is filled with sewing ideas!

Travel time and sharing time!

On old online friend, from back in our Sewing.com days, Martha, made this wonderful set of pillows and I had to share (with her permission, of course). She has been running her own interior design business for some time now, and makes some of the most gorgeous items.

I love the way the stripes on the fabric match up as if she had done strip piecing. This is something you or I could actually try! The addition of the covered button and small tassel add an amazing professional look. But think of all the striped fabrics you have that you could manipulate like this! I know my mind is abuzz with possibilities. Thanks Martha for letting me share. They're lovely.

And, yes, it's travel time once more. I'm headed for Phoenix tomorrow. It wouldn't be traveling if I didn't have a hand project to take with me. I made some blocks by machine for a small Cathedral Window quilt. The rest is hand work. I have my hand sewing kit with me and the windows for the quilt - I have M&M fabric and Steelers fabric. I can't decide which one I'm going to use, so I'm taking both. The hexagon quilt I'm working on has gotten too big to travel with, so it will be here at home waiting for me when I get back. I work on it darned near every day. I will finish it in spite of it!

While I'm gone, my Bernina is spending her vacation at the shop. It's time for a cleaning and tuneup. My sewing room looks positive empty! She should be running like a top when I return.

The weather on the east coast is cooling and it's a perfect time to start a project. See you in November! And don't forget to vote!