Back From the Dead.

Hello. How are you? I think it’s been literally a year. Or at least it feels like it’s been a year. Never take a job with “flexible” hours and “opportunities” to cover extra shifts. You will never have a life. Or a blog.

On that note:

I am going to start sewing again. I blew the dust off of Clara-Belle, pulled out my thimbles, and bought another awesome pair of Lefty fabric shears. Because when you take those “opportunities” for extra shifts, it’s okay to buy an expensive pair of scissors to ward off the darkness of your really sad life  work schedule.

            My last attempt at sewing is a half-finished house-dress/nightdress that I can just throw on after work and not have to take off until I get up in the morning. It’s sitting in a corner while I live in leggings and sweatery-tunics (when not in my uniform). I’m still waiting for stirrup-pants to come back. But I’m going to start sewing in earnest. Really. I swear.

            Pockets!!!

            I will be embroidering and sewing a pair of 18^th century pockets. Like these:

Georgian Pockets

            18^th century pockets were worn beneath the petticoats and above the chemise and stays. They were basically two pouches tied to the waist (one pouch on each hip) to store things on the go. What things? I imagine coins and bread? Or maybe just some lip balm and house keys?

            I’m going to be using this embroidery design from an extant piece, but I’ll be changing up the color scheme dramatically.

                                                                        

Embroidery design

So vibrant! Yay!

I’m going to be using some off-white linen, cotton embroidery floss in reds, pinks, oranges and yellows, and this super fetch silk ribbon I bought forever ago but was too nervous to use.

My color scheme.

Linen, embroidery floss, and hand-dyed silk ribbon.

Of course, the embroidery will take forever, seeing as I’ve never legitimately embroidered anything in my life. But hey, why not try something brand-spankin’ new? Just for kicks? I’m doing it.

I’ll be posting pics of my embroidery progress!

It really is great to have something to talk about other than my job.

And as always, thank you for reading my silly, silly blog.

-Meg

Hello, Again. I Have Some News.

It's been a while.
How are you?
I've been surprisingly busy for an as-yet-unemployed college graduate. Things are steadily coming together. First things first.
I have my first truly prized possession.
                                       Introducing: Clara Belle (she's so heavy. Literally 20 lbs).

This little beauty was given to me by my Uncle Rick as a graduation present. He's the best, he really is. Thank you again, Uncle Rick!!!!!
The needle wouldn't move, so I took it in to my local sewing/vacuum repair, and they told me they could assess it for $170. Too many zeros. So my wonderful, handsome, clever boyfriend offered to look at it, on the condition that he could use it, since his family's machine is on the fritz. Done.

Alex.

So we had ourselves a machine-cleaning party! 

It consisted of me whimpering in the background as he unscrewed the entire thing. I knew he knew what he was doing, but parts started piling up and I was afraid I'd never be able to put them back together. This has happened to me when I feel in the "handy" mood. My favorite watch is in pieces in a ziploc as I write this.

I cleaned and polished all of the enameled and shiny bits. The front piece facing you in the pic above, the brown, sticky-looking bit, was a pain to scrub, but I got it and it's friends to look like this:

I'd say she looks pretty good! Alex got everything working again, and we figured out how to change the foot pressure and the stitch length. Loading the bobbin is a trip.

We did some research, and based upon the serial number, discovered that Clara Belle was born in Scotland in 1916! So really, her name should be Wee Clara McBelle. Alex calls her "Clarice" in a creepy voice. It's quite charming.
So I now have a 1916 hand-powered Singer sewing machine!!!!! I'm so happy! I can use it anywhere! While watching Criminal Minds, in my backyard. Even at the beach. Definitely at the beach. Don't try to dissuade me on this. It will be happening. And then we'll bury each other in the sand and eat ice cream cones.
Until next time!