The Helena skirt for Helena- made on the Singer

My good friend Helena has jetted off to a new life in Philly and she bought this fabric to make the skirt named after her. She didn't have time and donated the fabric to me, along with copious other textile goodies! So.... I thought I would make this for her as a Christmas present- let's hope she's too busy in her new job to check my blog. I'm no good at secrets and wanted to share with you!

Check out the beautiful engraved steel detail!

Sewing the side seams (there is a seam guide, but the machine doesn't like it, so I marked my SA with tape):

I then used the tiny hemmer to finish my edges- so thrilled with the results!

How neat!!!

Now my only issue is buttonholes... I'm hoping there's an attachment I can find, but doubt it. I'm loathed to make handsewn buttonholes (although it would be good practice for me) and I'm loathed to use a modern machine to make them, since I wanted this to be totally 'hand' made. I could use poppers/ press studs instead- when I was in Lancaster County, I noticed that the Amish and Messonite women used these a lot, most likely as an alternative to buttons and buttonholes, since they don't use electricity. Hmmm... wish I had bought one of those tools in Zooks...

☆ The Singer in all its glory ☆

I L.O.V.E this machine! It is simply amazing. Check out the quality and attention to detail:

Beautiful wooden case:

Stunning paintwork and sparkly steel:

The shuttle bobbin! I forgot to take a photo of the bobbin that goes inside- too cute! Next time!

♥ 1933 Singer Sewing Machine ♥

My mum picked up a second hand Singer sewing machine, manufactured in the 1930s. It is in immaculate condition and has all the original accessories and booklet. I can't tell you how excited I was to learn how to use this!! (Sad, I know!) I spent yesterday setting it up and adjusting the tension and then had a play with all the attachments- OMG, this does things I'm sure no modern machine could do without purchasing expensive, specialist presser feet. It makes the most amazing hems, tucks, gathers and binds edges without any fuss. The results are so neat and hark back to home-dressmaking of a different era. Just sewing by hand on the Singer makes me feel nostalgic. As a teacher, I am highly critical of my own and my students' sewing skills- the majority of us simply don't make enough of our own clothes to give us the skills and competence to make the beautiful handmade, quality garments that women in the early 20th century did. This machine goes someway to improving this. Oh, and did I mention the shuttle-bobbin?!! More photos next post!

PS all photos taken with my iPhone- A-mazing quality!

The tucker foot marks the placement of the next fold as you sew the first tuck! So intuitive- who needs electricity?!!

Such neat pin-tucks!!

The hemmer- sews a wide hem (you set the size) and takes away all the measuring, pressing and tacking!

This is my favourite, as it reminds me of vintage hems that are so tiny they leave you wondering how they were achieved- now I know!!

The perfect result! This measures a couple of millimetres and I am desperate to try it on some sheer fabric- who needs roll-hemmers?!!