Vintage. White. Sewing Machine. Covet.

My mother-n-law and I were out thrift store shopping yesterday and we stumbled upon a vintage (I'm thinking circa 1960-70) beautiful turquoise green White sewing machine, similar to the ones shown.

I dreamed about that machine last night.  The lovely images that I found (I didn't have my camera with me to capture her loveliness) to show you here are not even close to the beauty of this vintage lovely.

She was listed at $119.00 and included the cabinet upon which she was installed.

However, when I ask myself the following question...

1.  Do I need another sewing machine?

The answer, sadly, if I'm honest is No.

But, do I want/covet/desire that gorgeous relic of the past?

YES.

Would I treasure her forevermore?

YES.

O.k., moving on...

Do you remember this post about my little vintage linen doily that I cleaned up, well here she is with a little hand embroidery addition.

I think she is just lovely.

happy stitches,

Beth

image 1 & 2: Google

image 3: Mine

Knittaplease...a string fiesta!

shawn thomas-flickr

Have you seen Magda Sayeg aka Knitta, Please?

She turns up the volume with a little~lotta knitting pretty everywhere she goes!

gotta love it.

happy stitches,

Beth

Do you know Dottie Angel?

have you met

Dottie Angel?

the suitcase series at uppercase
will carry her (Tif Fussel's) book
release early summer 2011
i can't wait.
happy stitches,
Beth

The vintage seamstress goes glam.

I want to live in this world.

happy stitches,

Beth

images the beautiful work of momchil hristov & antonia yordanova source

Cleaning vintage linen...

I forgot to get a photo of how dirty this little vintage doily was but I thought I'd share how I clean such items.

I fill a small bowl with tepid water and a gentle cleanser such as woolite or eucalan (I prefer the lavender scent).  However, in a pinch, I've also used a drop Ivory dish detergent.

I use my fingers to gently work the fabric without rubbing to hard.  Unfortunately, not all stains can be removed, such as this stubborn one.  But don't let this stop you from making use of these remnants of the past.

I gently rinse with tepid water and then roll up in an absorbent towel.  Lightly press until most of the water is removed.  Be careful of any lace or appliques.

I simply lay the hand-washed piece on a clean, dry towel until dry.  If it's a nice sunny day and I'm not too worried about the fragility of the piece I'll lay it out in the direct sunlight which helps brighten the fabric.

I stretched a piece of cheesecloth over this hoop and I think I'm going to incorporate the vintage doily into this creation.  I haven't completely decided where this project will go but that's the beauty of the process.

update:
here she is all clean & dry

she's kinda pretty, just like that.
i think i'm going to stitch a word in the center just for fun.

happy stitches,

Beth

Inspiration in stitches...

kate o'connor

joetta maues

unknown

three red apples

pillipillihandmade

I just adore these works and hope you do, too!

So, I've stitched a little more on my vintage doily...

I'm trying to keep the back of the work as neat as the front and will update a photo of the back soon.

Happy stitches,

Beth



So simple. So gorgeous! Ruffle shirt envy.

Love this top?

I know, me, too!

Check out Sachiko's at Tea Rose Home Blogs 

simple

tutorial here!

It's made with a t-shirt she bought

for $1.00.

Very cool.

tomorrow then,

Beth