Domestic Treadle

     Shortly before Christmas, I heard from a friend who was closing her antique and collectible shop.  She had an old treadle machine she had been using for display.  She said she wanted to give it to me, as she knew that I liked vintage machines and would try to get it going again.  I really had to talk myself into it, because of the space issue.  Treadles take quite a bit of room and I have one working treadle.  How many does a person need?  But here's some pictures, you'll see why I caved and brought it home.

The last patent date is 1876.  It is a "Domestic", which was absorbed into the White Sewing Machine Company in the early 1900's.  The following pictures are of things discovered inside.  It was a treasure trove.

This was in the drawer.  It is a card called a spool zoo.  You could cut out the hippo and glue to each end of a wooden spool to make a toy hippo.  The copyright date is 1931.  Apparently, you could collect several different animals.  

     Here is a picture of other things in the drawers, they were stuffed.

Here's the pretty treadle irons

The top has "Domestic" stenciled on the front.

I ordered a belt for it, but haven't put it on yet, but it's been oiled well and is moving freely.  Adjusting that leaf tension will probably be a challenge.  I need to do a little research on it.  Anyone out there with some experience with them is welcome to advise me.

     I've been obsessed with finishing the Grand Illusion mystery quilt.  I finally finished all 25 blocks today, so can start putting it together.  25 blocks doesn't sound like so many until you realize that each block contains 52 pieces. 

 I still have sashing, cornerstones, a solid border and a pieced border to do before it is done, but can see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel.  The good news is that I was making units for the Split Nine Patch as leaders and enders while sewing GI blocks.  Eventually I'll get back to that.  

I just need to 

Keep on Stichin'

Judy

Part 6, Grand Illusion

     I have had four blocks on my design wall all week, trying to decide how to put this quilt together.  My pieced green sashing is not doing it for me.  Not enough contrast, I think.

     The green just seems to make the other colors muddy.  Here is what I am thinking. Using a black and white sashing between the blocks.  What do you think?

Wide sashing?  Cheddar cornerstone?

Narrow sashing?  Teal cornerstone?

It doesn't have as much motion, but I think I can live with it better. 

      

       In my indecisive lethargy, I pulled out an old Project in a Grocery Sack, found a simple pattern, and approached it with a "git her done"

attitude.  

This is some fabric I bought on a Minnesota vacation several years ago.  It is a Holly Taylor collection done for the Minnesota shop hop that year.  Of course, I didn't have enough of the purchased fabric for the pattern I chose, but "the stash" came to the rescue and all 30 blocks are done.  My cutting table is now clean again, all the scraps cut into usable sizes, and I'm ready to face the GI again.

Judy