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!

Split Drawers

Hello. It's been a while. I finished that paper.
And my split drawers!
So, here's the thing about split drawers: they're the best. Imagine that you're at a reenactment smack-dab in the middle of summer. You are probably keeping yourself hydrated (Me: "Water? What is this strange substance you speak of?") and, subsequently, you have to visit the "necessary". Which is code for ridiculously gross port-o-john with a swarm of mosquitoes hanging out on the ceiling. Would you rather contort yourself into a pretzel trying to unbutton the drawers underneath all of your layers, including your corset, while keeping your hoop skirt-petticoat taco from agitating those mosquitoes? Or would you rather have this handy-dandy, accident-proof article of clothing at your disposal?

Yes, it looks funny. No, the legs aren't sewn together, it's just a big gap. But they are amazing. Completely amazing.
Historical Side Note:
Ever wonder why those can-can girls were so risque? Most people don't think of the can-can as scandalous nowadays: "What's so crazy about dancers flipping up their frilly, voluminous skirts to show more frilly, voluminous skirts?" they ask.
Split drawers, my friends. Split drawers.