Knit for Victory!

I'm so in!!

I've never knit a sweater before. Actually, I haven't knit much more than cat toys and scarves, but we've all got to tackle our first sweater at some point right? And I'm avoiding "The Sweater Curse" by knitting one for myself. If you're a reader of the By Gum, By Golly! blog you'd have noticed the fabulous 1940s pullover that the uber-talented Tasha just finished - If you haven't had the pleasure, check it out HERE.

When I first saw the super-informative post series she did while knitting this piece, I knew I had to give it a try. Not only am I a sucker for 1940s/1950s fashion, but I haven't mastered knitting on circulars or DPNs yet, and this pattern is written for straight needles.

Into my queue it went, and I didn't give it another thought until this morning. When Tasha posted the Knit for Victory knitting challenge I joined without hesitation. I had previously joined and semi-completed the Fall for Cotton challenge. I "successfully" sewed two 100% cotton "garments" - The previously-mentioned shady apron, which clearly deserves its own post, and a much-required pincushion for my wrist (no leaving it at the machine when I need it at my cutting table like the tomato). The issue though, we were supposed to use vintage patterns, and I didn't - Challenge not met.

The helpful tips series and pattern I'm using for the Knit for Victory challenge is all found HERE - By Gum, By Golly!  - Will you be victorious and knit your way through this challenge? Share your thoughts in the comments section below :)

Now the fun part.... Yarn selection!!! I'm thinking jewel tones, maybe a sapphire blue, but who knows what I'll end up with.

Binding off,
C :)

Norma the Singer 99K

This summer, my Gma gave me her mother's Singer 99K. It's in-cabinet and came with the sewing stool which was full of attachments, and even a few vintage patterns.

 I named her Norma, after my great grandmother, and Norma was in desperate need of a bath. After spending 40 years in my Gma's living room, even being tucked away in her cabinet, she was still covered in a layer of nicotine tar and dust.

I took her all apart, cleaned and greased what needed it and adjusted the stitch tension to my tastes, all with some good old Google assistance.

I've been trying to snap some pictures of Norma and my sewing area as it sits today, but we're having dreary weather here and the lighting conditions are less than ideal for decent picture taking, as they clearly were when I took this initial photo, but alas, this is the only snap I have of her in the condition she was in when I got her. Yes, I probably just take bad photos in general, okay? I'm sorry. I promise to update with *different pictures eventually.

*I'm not even going to promise better photos

I've hung the in-package accessories on the wall, cheap and easy sewing space deco.  Does anybody actually use a needle threader? I find them impossible to use, but I digress.

I was able to date my machine by the serial number by visiting the Singer page, and found my machine was made in 1956. Awesome! The 50s is my favourite fashion era, gives me a nice feeling knowing I'll be making vintage reproductions on a vintage machine.

The attachments that came with it that I've been able to identify so far are -

The Ruffler 
Adjustable Hemmer
Narrow Rolled Hemmer
Edge Stitcher
Shirring Foot

I dunno how to use any of them LOL :)   I need to purchase myself a zig-zag attachment, as currently my machine only sews straight stitches.

Do you have a vintage machine? What model? Using the link above, are you able to date when it was made? Do you have any different attachments, or any questions or tips? Want to tell me that I ask too many open questions at the end of my blog posts? Great! I wanna hear from you!

Cutting loose,
C :)



Coming soon - A long winded post about my first ever garments, which include an apron, pin cushion and an actual dress from commercial pattern.