One Block Wonder Why I Signed Up for This

I was strong-armed into taking Dolores's One Block Wonder Encore class at Quilters Crossing a while back.

Having never made one, I wasn't really wanting to do an "encore," but I did anyway. Mandy helped me pick out my focus fabric with a 12" repeat, which is important to know, but now I don't remember why. I'd go check, but I'm not anywhere near my studio - I'm writing this at the Westchase Marriott waiting for Jill to be done with the L.A. Dance Magic convention.

And besides - you don't care anyway. So here's my fabric (Terrain by Kate Spain) and paraphernalia.

Class Session One:
Ok. So if you're not familiar with the One Block Wonder Why Process, you cut strips out of your 6 identical layers of fabric, then subcut them into 60° triangles. Then you grab each little stack of identical triangles and start playing with the orientation of each. Like this:

These are the same six triangles, just rotated to form different designs. Pretty cool.

Hexagons - Y-Seams - no problem. Sew three together for one half of the block, then sew the other three together. Block 1

I, of course, forgot about 3+3 and sewed 2+2+2. After I sewed the 3rd set of 2, I realized that 3 parts can't be made into 2 halves. Rip.
(Like my white Featherweight? It's not actually mine. Yet. It's Peggy's. Until I finish a few more quilts for her.) Ok, so anyway - Crap. Rip. Add a triangle to each of the 2+2's. Then sew into halves. Finally. There! Done!
Wrong. I musta missed the part where Dolores said, "Don't sew the two halves together - just pin them with two (2) pins - one at the top and one in the center." (Deb? Are you paying attention? Me neither.) Rip again. No photo of me being stupid. Again.

I finished 4 whole half blocks in two hours.
So it was a two-part class with a week in between to get our blocks made.
Time being what it is at my house, i didn't actually sit down to sew my blocks til late Monday night. Fortunately I hadn't broken my rule about not making anything larger than a lap quilt, so I only had to make :I forget how many: blocks. How hard could that be? And more importantly, how long could that possibly take? I'll tell you how long. No, I won't. But I did take a picture of my studio clock to prove what time I finished. I know what you're thinking: "But you could have just changed the clock to whatever time you wanted to make it say!" But you'd be wrong. I actually have 2 clocks in my studio - one for each Daylight Savings Time season. The one on the Bose is set to Fall, and the one on the shelf is set to Spring. That's the one I took a picture of. It's good for a few more days, (wait...hours...oh crud - one more hour) - then I'll spend 6 months only looking at the other one. Scroll down for closing time in the studio.
So remember when I said "How hard could that be?" Yeah. Well, now I know. Just because each of the little triangles are identical, you apparently have to pay attention to what you're doing. Or you could do what I did, and just sew them any which way and be totally surprised when they don't form that cute little spinning design in the center.

Then swear at the dog (who was not doing a very good job of keeping me awake and focused)

and start ripping. Oh. And did I mention that since the 60° triangles are equilateral, (60+60+60=180) that means only one of the three sides is on the straight of grain. The other two are severely biased. Like me. Against these blocks.

Carefully unsew each stitch so as to not stretch the seam, while cursing the person who talked me into this stupid class. (You know who you are.) Then what's really fun is to sew the triangles with wrong side to right side. That doesn't work at all, cuz one triangle shows the backside when you open it up.

Scream. Rip. Watch as Cowardly Mastiff bolts for the door.

Finally finished the blocks and fell into bed. That's 3 a.m. In the morning.

Class Session Two:
I showed up with all my blocks sewn into 2 halves and pinned correctly, and only then found out that I wouldn't be leaving there with a finished top. Even though all my blocks were done. Dammit. I spent the next two hours learning and semi-applying The Rules of Wonder Block Placement. The blocks are supposed to flow and blend into each other from light to dark or...something. No matter how I moved them around the design wall, I could never get them into a square or rectangle: they kept flowing and blending into weird amoeba-like shapes bearing no resemblance to anything vaguely quilt-shaped.

There weren't any blocks suitable for those holes, so Dolores suggested I make a few blocks of the Encore variety. Just pick a couple from the chart to fill in the holes:

This was so not going to work - much less be easy. Or wonder-ful. I numbered the rows, took them all down and stuffed them into a ziplock bag. They're going to the bottom of my UFO drawer. The 2nd UFO drawer with numbers 29-48. They're now 49th on the list.
Screw it.

Hob-Knobbing

OMG - These are fabulous! I saw a mention of sewing hardware in the latest issue of Love of Quilting (Fons & Porter) and went straight to Sewing HardwareThey've got knobs and drawer pulls, and even though they're a little pricey, I want them all! We're building our new house, and I get to outfit a whole new studio. These are so going to be on all the cabinets, closets and drawers in there.

Vintage Sewing Machines

A few years back, I become interested in vintage and antique sewing machines. Not in just collecting them, but also in using them. I'm finding that they are so much better made than the new, improved plastic ones with all the bells and whistles.

Two things really surprised me:
1) I found that most of Singer's (for instance) attachments, were used on machines 100 years ago...hemstitchers, rufflers, binding... Why did I assume these were invented relatively recently for use on only the 'modern' machines?

2) My sewing machine dealer told me with great pride, that my new Elna would still be sewing away in ten years. Gee - that means I could have bought several vintage machines that are still sewing after 100 years, for the same price! You almost can't kill those things.

Here are a few photographs of my small, but growing collection:

Jones Medium C.S. treadle w/Queen Alexandra decal
Serial Number 98833
Circa 1900-1910
Manufactured in North Manchester, England
It came with the original manual, 3 shuttles, 5 bobbins,
a binder, quilter, 4 hemmers and a shuttle tension screwdriver.

Singer Model 99K handcrank
Serial Number Y2303516
1925
Manufactured in Glasgow, Scotland
It came with the original manual, 5 bobbins, a binder,
foot hemmer, seam gauge and the large screwdriver.
My youngest learned to sew using this machine.

Singer Model 201K handcrank
Serial Number EC851510
1940
Manufactured in Glasgow, Scotland
It came with the original manual, 6 bobbins, a binder,
quilter, adjustable hemmer, tucker, gatherer, and the large screwdriver.
My son MJ learned to sew on this machine. He pieced his first quilt with it. Ok, his only quilt. He preferred taking the machines apart and cleaning them.

Singer Model 221K Featherweight
Serial Number EE861595
1947
Manufactured in Glasgow, Scotland
It came with 1 bobbin, a foot hemmer, an adjustable hemmer,
a gatherer, and a ruffler.

The first three are all people-powered and have come in handy more than once when the power's gone out. As a matter of fact, my 2 youngest learned how to sew on the handcranks.

I have a few more machines, but they'll have to wait til the next installment.

Sewing Machines In Movies

For no particular reason whatsoever, I've been maintaining a list of movies and television shows where sewing machines can be spotted. Some are shown long enough to be identified, some are just brief glimpses. Feel free to e-mail me with any you come across, and let me know if you can positively identify the make and model. If not, send it along anyway with your best guess. 

Email me here

Updated 04 November 2023
Movies

Amerika: treadle

Angela's Ashes (1999): Singer coffin top treadle

Angels in the Outfield (1994): White, in a parlor cabinet

Annie (1982): Assorted Singers

Ayn Rand: A Sense of Life (1997): Brief glimpse of 30's era wardrobe department at RKO Studios

Batman Returns (1992): shown as a "Belvedere"

Blood Alley (1955): 5-drawer treadle, no machine shot; Florence treadle

Captain Ron (1992): Singer 401A

Carrie (1976): White, possibly a model 77

Clara's Heart (1988) Far shot of a portable, black Singer, on its wooden base.

Dick (1999): possibly Singer 185j

Dr. Zhivago (1965): Handcrank in Lara's Siberian flat.

Evita (1996)

Fiddler on the Roof (1971): Coffin top, transverse shuttle, treadle, possibly a Frister & Rossman

Finding Neverland (2004): treadle something-or-other...and Johnny Depp!

Five Easy Pieces (1970): black, striated faceplate, beige case bottom w/latches, possibly a Singer 15-91

Full Of Life (1956): Singer 301 Godfather II (1974): Possibly a Singer 306 - very dim lighting

Gods Must Be Crazy, The (1980)

Good Old Summertime, The (1949): Singer 66 treadle

Ghost (1990): Industrial machine

Gosford Park (2001): treadle, plus various irons, boards and a pleater

Green Mile, The (1999)

Happy Gilmore (1996): The residents of a nursing home are forced to sew in a sweatshop

Heartwood (1998): Two treadles

Hester Street (1975): Male, immigrant factory workers sewing on individual treadles

Home Alone (1990): Singer, possibly a 401, but w/ a 285 handwheel

Hope and Glory (1987): Singer handcranks being used in the thrift shop

Houdini (1953): 7-drawer treadle, possibly a Davis Minnesota

House of Mirth, The (2000): Millinery shop with what looks to be a Wilcox & Gibbs straw hat machine

How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000): Black and gold treadle

How to Make an American Quilt (1995): Bernina

It's a Wonderful Life (1946): Featherweight cardtable and extension, no machine Kramer vs Kramer (1979): Featherweight in a closet

Lady in White, The (1988): brief glimpse of a tailor using a treadle, possibly a White

Last Orders (2001): 2 tone, tan and brown, back-mounted light, possibly a Singer 191 Late Show (1977): Lily Tomlin has one in the corner under the window

Little Women (1949) Marmee sews on a chain stitch

Longest Day, The (1962): Treadle in the French family's house that comes under bombardment during the Normandy Invasion

Made in America (1993): Whoopie Goldberg sews on a newer, white, plastic machine

Magnificent Ambersons, The (1942)

Maid in Manhattan (2002): in the housekeeping department of the hotel

Majestic, The (2001): Featherweight in the pawn shop

Man Who Knew Too Much, The (Hitchcock,1934): Line of handcranks in Moroccan open-air market

Mimic (1997)

Mississippi Burning (1989): Singer boot patcher handcrank

Mother Wore Tights (1947): Betty Grable sews up her fabulous 1890's designer showgirl wardrobe on a NF type treadle.

Mrs. Soffel (1984): Singer 28 handcrank with Victorian decals

My Dog Skip (2000): 5-drawer Singer 66 treadle

Nacho Libre (2006):

October Sky (1999): Featherweight

On Moonlight Bay (1951): Singer 5 drawer treadle

One Good Cop (1991) Other, The (1972): In the boy's farmhouse, under a window, is a New Home treadle, with a top leaf tension assembly

Others, The (2001): Looks like a handcrank/treadle combo; the room was very dimly lit, so it was very hard to see details.

Our Daily Bread (1934): handcranks and treadles

Perils of Pauline (1947): Betty Hutton in a sweatshop scene, singing a song about hating sewing. The lyrics are HERE and and there's a video clip HERE

Peter Pan (1924, silent): Smee is mending sails on Cap'n Hook's pirate ship

Picture of Dorian Gray (1945): Florence treadle

Rabbit-Proof Fence, The (2002): Numerous treadles

Really Big Family, The (Documentary - 1967): 185J

Radio (2003): circa 1970's Singer Touch N Sew in cabinet

Real Women Have Curves (2002): Industrial Singers; unidentified domestic machine circa 60's

Rear Window (Hitchcock, 1954)

Reds (1981): Dianne Keaton's character sews on a handcrank

Remember the Titans (2000): Toy sewing machine: possibly Mattel's Barbie Sew Magic or Sears France

Rhapsody in Blue (1945): Singer 66 being repaired by George Gershwin's dad

Rich and Strange (Hitchcock, 1932): Singer handcrank, possibly a128

Rose Tattoo, The (1955): Assymetrical swirl across arm, no name, in curved-front cabinet

Ruby Gentry (1952)

Silence of the Lambs (1991): Industrial; wins the 'Most Revolting Use of a Sewing Machine' award

Sleepless in Seattle (1993) : Black, e-machine in the attic

Sling Blade (1996) : Singer in a cabinet

Stepmom (1998) : Viking Subject Was Roses, The (1968) : Singer in the parents' apartment

Sweet Dreams, The Patsy Cline Story (1985): possibly a 127 treadle, and a Godzilla _____?

This Sporting Life (1963): Rachel Roberts does the family mending on a Singer 15 handcrank

Three Amigos, The (1986): Treadles and handcranks

Trip to Bountiful, The (1985): 3 drawer, coffin top treadle

Trouble with Angels, The (1966): assorted treadles and portables

Visit, The (1964): Coffin-top treadle, just a quick glimpse in Anthony Quinn's bedroom above his shop

Valley of Decision (1945): Willcox & Gibbs chain stitch in 5 drawer, curved front treadle

War Bride, The (2001): A Raymond Treadle that's integral to a story about new life, perseverance and redemption on the post-WWII Canadian prairie

West Side Story (1961): Asstd. Singers in the workroom behind the dress shop

We're No Angels (1955): 5-Drawer treadle, possibly a Singer Model 15 or 27

What Matters Most (2001): Featherweight Wiz, The (1978): In the "Everybody Rejoice" scene, there's a "melting" Singer industrial

Young Man with Ideas (1952): Featherweight

TV

1900 House PBS (2000): Singer treadle

American Family, PBS (2002):"The Sewing Machine" Singer Treadle

Blue Valley Songbird (1999)

Dogs and More Dogs, Nova, PBS (2003): Singer, 5-drawer treadle

Dr. Seuss's "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" (1966) He and his dog sew the Grinch's santa suit on a black treadle with gold decals

Extreme Home Makeover (ABC 2004): Several Featherweights

Geico Commercial (2006): Peter graves is sitting in the homeowner's sewing room. In the background is what looks to be a mid-arm machine. See a video clip HERE

Gilligan's Island (believe it or not!): "The Matchmaker" episode; combination bamboo exercise bike/sewing machine

Gilmore Girls: Singer Model 12 treadle

Hometime (PBS): Closed Singer Treadle cabinet

I Dream of Jeannie: Singer treadle, on the beach

Jeff's Collie (Original Lassie series): 5 drawer coffin top treadle

Jericho: Treadle table against the wall between the kitchen & living room at the Richmond ranch.

Laverne & Shirley: Treadle stand in the bedroom

Lion, Witch & the Wardrobe, The (BBC 1988): Mrs. Beaver is sewing on what looks to be a Frister & Rossman handcrank

Mad About You: Flashback to his dad's tailor shop, with an industrial machine in the background

Manor House, PBS (2003): Jones handcrank and a treadle

Martha Inc: The Story of Martha Stewart (2003): Black Singer in an old, treadle-type base Matlock, syndication (2003): Necchi BU in the background of the mobster's house

Monk: Mr. Monk Goes to the Ballgame (2003): Treadle base only (!) used as a foyer table.

Papa's Angels (2000): 7-drawer treadle

Pimp My Ride (MTV 2004): Industrial used to sew custom, green suede/black leather auto upholstery Project Runway (Bravo, Lifetime 2004-ongoing in various incarnations): Assorted Brother machines

Reba (2002): Reba McIntyre sews a bridesmaid's dress on a Featherweight

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (1978):

Seinfeld: Episode #149 "The Pothole" (2/20/97) Kramer 'adopts' a mile of the freeway. A Singer 99 sewing machine falls off a dump truck and is shown bursting into flames caused by igniting paint thinner.

Six Feet Under (HBO 2001) The daughter found her grandmother's sewing machine in the attic. While high on drugs with a girlfriend she makes her mother very colorful slacks. The machine was dark green, full size, Singer 500.

Texas Ranch House (PBS 2006): Wilcox & Gibbs handcrank

Tommyknockers, The (1993): The boy who makes his brother disappear powers his machine with a treadle

The Brady Bunch (Peter the Magician/Cindy's fear of the dark):

The Real McCoys: Treadle

Walton's: Treadle

Who's the Boss?: Possibly a Stylist, sitting backwards on a shelf in the garage (of course!)

Willing to Kill: Texas Cheerleader Story (1992): Featherweight

Computer/Video Game

Nancy Drew: Frister and Rossman handcrank!

Animal Crossing:Wild World (2005): A sheep is sewing on a treadle, complete with treadle sound effects

Silent Hill: Homecoming (2008): Xbox game showing a generic sewing machine in Alex Shepherd's home

Animation

Lilo and Stitch (2004): A little monster with a compulsion to clean house sucked up a whole treadle in his snout while the owner of the machine screamed for him to stop. He then blew his nose in the trash can and out popped the machine. The owner scooped it up and sniffeled that the machine had the original 1930's bobbin! Too funny!

Nightmare Before Christmas, The (1993): Sally sews on a machine with a spider sitting on it instead of a spool of thread, and she sews with the 'thread' that the spider emits

Other

Texas Prison Museum, Huntsville Texas: During a video about the prison, a convict is shown using an industrial Singer to sew prison uniforms. Hey - we homeschool - it was a field trip!

A coffin?! That was the time we were passed on the freeway by a beat-up blue pickup truck hauling a$$ with something really big in the bed, covered by a tarp. The window behind the cab had white shoe polish words written all over it: R.I.P. Gina. OMG - it was a coffin! A real damn pine box coffin! I nearly hit the guardrail trying to catch up to get a better look. The kids were screaming, and I was going 80 trying to dig my camera outta the bottomless basket I carry all my stuff in. There were paper and plastic flowers sticking out of the cab windows, and the guest of honor must have been late. They were definitely heading for the border. A quick call to 911 and we found out it's perfectly legal for any old Joe - or Jose - to drive around Texas with an occupied coffin!