Piecing with the Singer 66 Red Eye Sewing Machine

I pulled out one of my "to do" projects and thought that I had better get it done! I had set these fabrics aside about two years ago to create a project from Turning Twenty - Simply Sashed and that was about as far as I got with this pattern. What got me finally started on making this quilt? My Singer 66 Red Eye treadle sewing machine. Watch my Youtube video on how I acquired this machine.

A start on the blocks

When I bought this machine, I didn't know how to treadle and it does take a bit of practise. What could be a better way to learn how to operate it than to do lots of piecing?

Just a bit more piecing to be done - ie. lots more piecing to be done!

I'm making the lap size of Sew Easy! in the book and I'm enjoying the process so far.

Using the Singer 66 means making a few adjustments. This machine doesn't have a light on it, which isn't too much of a problem as I have it set up in front of my livingroom window. I do have to use a light to stitch in the evening. 

The Singer 66 doesn't have a marked needle plate, so sewing with a 1/4" seam allowance could be a bit of a guesstimate - never a good idea when piecing. I just measured from the needle over and used a strip of painter's tape as a guide. Some vintage machines come with a seam guide, but as I don't have one for this machine, I am making do.

Making sure I get that 1/4" seam allowance right on

While I find treadling quite relaxing and definitely quieter than using a machine with an electric motor, I have to remember to start turning the hand wheel towards me first before getting my feet in on the action. This is a bit of an adjustment as I'm used to using my foot to get the machine going. Of course if I forget and just start treadling, invariably the hand wheel starts to go backwards, rather than forwards, and this snaps the upper thread. I really don't like rethreading the needle so I'm quickly learning to think before I start stitching.

I love treadling!

I've been making good process on this project and enjoying my treadling.

I really like these fabrics and they're coming together well.

Now to do a bit of pressing before the next step.

Of course I always have help when I'm at the machine - whether it's foot power or electric power. Sometimes the help can be more of a hindrance, but it's always nice to have company.

Better move that tail, Charlie, or it might be part of the quilt!

That's a better spot for you, Charlie...

but stay out of the drawers!

I even had the opportunity to wind a bobbin on the machine which is something I hadn't yet attempted. I used a reproduction bobbin and it worked fine. I think the bobbin winders on these vintage machines may work even better than a modern one.

Glad that my Singer 66 Red Eye is performing as well as I'd hoped it would.

I still have some more work to do to finish the top, but my treading skills have definitely improved. I'm looking forward to more stitching and piecing on my Singer 66 Red Eye sewing machine.

If you are thinking of buying a vintage sewing machine you may be interested in my eBooks for buyers (click here). If you are thinking of selling your machine you may be interested in my How To Sell a Vintage Sewing Machine eBook.

Creatively,

P.S. I am an Amazon affiliate and will receive a small compensation if you purchase an item by clicking through the link in this blogpost. Thanks, this allows me to keep creating blogposts and video tutorials for you.

Telecast Thursday - Janome Circular Sewing Attachment: Decorative Stitches

Happy St. Patrick's Day and welcome to another Telecast Thursday!

This week I'm continuing with information on the Janome Circular Sewing Attachment. Previously we learned how to attach this attachment and how to sew simple circles with it. This week we're moving on to more intricate circles using the decorative stitches on the sewing machine.

My Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8900 QCP sewing machine comes with hundreds of decorative stitches and the ability to adjust the width and length of them, mirror them, or even flip them horizontally or vertically. This provides the user with the opportunity to create thousands of decorative stitch patterns! The Janome Circular Sewing Attachment gives me the opportunity to play with these decorative stitches while creating complex circular designs.

You can watch the video below or on my Youtube channel.

I've got more ideas on how to use this attachment, so stay tuned for more ideas in upcoming Telecast Thursdays.

Creatively,

Telecast Thursday - Janome Circular Sewing Attachment: Stitching Circles

In a previous Telecast Thursday I gave you an overview of the Janome Circular Sewing Attachment; this week I'm going to show you how to stitch circles with it.

It's an easy and effective attachment to use - just watch out for that pointy pin! Much like using my rotary cutter - cut and close, cut and close - I always want to replace the plastic cap on the pin as soon as possible to avoid injury. I've jabbed myself a few times with it and it hurts, so do as I say, not as I do, and keep that cap on unless you really need to use that pin!

You can watch the video below or on my Youtube channel.

Next week I'll show you more uses for this amazing attachment.

Creatively,

Telecast Thursday - Janome Circular Sewing Attachment Overview

I've found the perfect tool to create circles on my Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8900 QCP sewing machine: the circular sewing attachment. The one I purchased, #202106009 fits on my machine and will also work on the Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8200 QCP machine. Check with your local Janome dealer or on-line to see if this attachment fits your sewing machine or if there is another option for you.

This attachment can be used to create a variety of effects, but first you have to know how it works and how to attach it to your sewing machine.

Watch the video below or on my Youtube channel for an overview of this multi-use attachment.

I'll have more blogposts and videos on this attachment so you can see all the different ways it can add intricacy to your quilt projects.

Creatively,

Frister & Rossman Sewing Machine

Usually when I am looking to purchase a vintage sewing machine, I'm looking for a machine that looks good and stitches well. Occasionally I get caught up in other details about a machine and I just have to have it (okay, I'm like this with lots of things I want, but that's another story!).

A few months ago I went to check out some vintage sewing machines that I found through a kijiji ad. The gentleman had a lot of machines that he had picked up at an estate sale and was trying to sell them for whatever he could get. I got some good deals on several vintage Singer models, including a 99 and a 128. While there I noticed this older sewing machine that wasn't in great shape (my hubby thought it was ugly and not worth his attention), but something about it caught my eye. I went back to pick up another machine and this poor mistreated Frister & Rossman sewing machine was still there and this time I bought it. It isn't pretty, but there was just something about it that called out to me and home it came.

I haven't spent much time working on this machine –yet. I've been spending more time trying to figure out how it works and gather information about it. It didn't come with a manual, so it's been a bit tricky figuring it out, but I will persevere.

While this machine will always have faded decals and a pitted and peeling finish on it, I hope that I can get it back into working condition. If not, it will be an interesting decoration in my quilt studio.

Watch the video belowto see more of my oldest vintage sewing machine.

If you've got a Frister & Rossman sewing machine or know a friend who does, please contact me to help me figure out the workings of this vintage machine.

Creatively,