Block 36 Nearly Insane

Good Morning All

When I first looked at this block 36 with 78 pieces in it, especially the one in the 1870's Quilt, my first thoughts were Oh My Goodness. Piecing without any rhyme or reason. Decided to ingore all that, got the coloured pencils out and gave it a go. Still a bit higgley piggley but don't mind it now. Discovered Artists Tracing Paper. If you feed each sheet singularly it will go through the printer and it is so much easier to piece using this. For a start it is easy to see through and also it is so much easier to remove!!

Not cheap but what is!! Can buy it at Officeworks here as well as Art Shops.

I have a feeling that once you have tried it, your thoughts will be like mine, the expense is worth every cent :-))

Will post a picture of my hand applique soon. Just a little block and yes I am slow but I think it is all about learning patience. I am starting to enjoy it and I am slowly getting there. Won't tell you how long it took me to do the applique in the centre of the Blog Quilt. There was a sense of achievement when it was finished though. Hope to get that quilt quilted this year. Now if I say it there is a good chance it will happen ;-)

Have a good day

Cheers

Lynne - We have a lovely Autumn day outside and I am so glad as I love Autumn!!

Ward Arm and Platform 1870's

Hi Everyone

This Ward Arm and Platform came from Tasmania. She is complete with
Original Spare parts, Storage Box, Manual and provenance. She came from the family of Pearns - The Steam Threshing Contractors who for many years ran Pearns Steam World in Tasmania.
This was one of the very first Free-Arm style machines. They converted from a free-arm to a standard flat bed machine by a very clever built-in bed that lifted and clipped around the arm.
These machines were made by Edward Ward in London in the 1870's. Ward did make a few other machines but this is the one he is most well-known for. There was two models of the Arm and Platform machine. This is the second model which had a slightly different casting and a stitch length adjuster which the other machine did not have.


The front of the box was painted and Rob has carefully sanded a lot of it off to reveal the stencilling details underneath.

She is obviously quite a bit worn but still has a wonderful sense of character.

Cheers
Lynne and Rob

Nearly Insane Block80

Hi Everyone

This is block 80. Still only 6 inches in size.

Love that Cheddar and the red

and Nancy's favourite apricot of course :-))

The Pink Squiggle makes a nice frame.

Next weeks block is a really interesting block, lots of little bits and lots of colour so stay tune :-))

Plan to get Rob to take a photo of a machine on the weekend too so you will get to see another favourite.

Bye For Now

Lynne

Side Blocks 94

Hi All

Here is block 94. Two Halves so Half goes at the top on the edge and half on the bottom.

Halfway through making block 80. It is another complicated one. Love those Stay Tune

Would you believe it is raining outside!!! First rain since December and it is so nice to hear raindrops on a Tin roof. Rob and I went for a walk in the rain last night but it was still only really a light shower then. Definately classed as raining this morning. Everything is smelling just so nice. Roll on Autumn!

Have a great Day All

Cheers

Lynne

Block 13

Hi All

You know there are some weeks when you need an easy block :-)

Have still to make last weeks block.

The little bird and the blueberries are a special fabric of Nancy's. The pink from Rosemary. Keep Cool Everybody. It sure is hot here today.

Cheers

Lynne

Brittania Tripod Treadle Sewing Machine

Hi All
One of the more unusual machines that we have found locally, in the next suburb in fact :-)), is this English-made Brittania sewing machine, featuring Brittania on each of the legs with the wording Slavery Abolished around the shield . This Treadles would date to around the mid 1870's. Sadly at this stage it is missing both the machine and treadle plate which I am interested to find in the future.
This machine was found when the previous owner who had bought this machine in the 1960's to be used as a dressing table contacted us looking for information about the treadle. When she downsized her living situation she offered it to us for sale and we gladly accepted. Other than removing a stain from the top if the woodwork the finish on the woodwork and the bronze finish on the frame is original.
Our Dream is to find the head and the treadle plate. Infinately possible as who would believe something as wonderful as this could be within walking distance in a house near us!!

Hold onto that Dream :-))
Bye For Now
Rob and Lynne

Brittania Sewing Machine