A Bag for a Bernina

The baby Bernina story continues with a new foot control and a custom bag for carrying:

Sewing machine tote bag from McCalls 4119 pattern

I've had this pattern for making sewing accessories for some time now and wanted to find just the right machine to use the tote pattern so this one was going to be "it". It was different than the tote bags I have been making for sewing machines since it was designed with a rectangular base and matching zippered opening:

Opening slot for the handle

There was even an optional opening for a handle that looked like a good idea. I found my fabric to coordinate with the Bernina Sport 801 along with a bright and jazzy lining:

Bag lined

The only thing I was missing was fusible fleece so I substituted a firmer fusible interfacing on the lining. It does seem pretty firm and stands up on its own but I think I should have used one of the firmer products...next time. I like how it turned out until I put the machine down inside and found out it was too tall: I couldn't grab the handle on the sewing machine. To the rescue, I found a box that would fill the bottom for some good support and raise up the whole machine so the handle could be grabbed:

Fiberboard box for accessories

Even better, that box can hold the accessories! Now this is a real win-win.

Bernina Sport 801 resting on the accessory box

This will be a very sweet deal for someone with a vintage Bernina, new power cords, and a custom carrying/storage bag.

Yet the Bernina story goes on. Next time I went to the thrift store I found a Kenmore in okay shape and while I debated with myself I found a green suitcase that looked like the classic Bernina case. I lifted it up and it was heavy...and when I opened it up there was a Bernina Record 730 inside. I am not kidding, a Bernina in with the suitcases. Of course, it went home with me! There were no power cords or a foot control but everything seemed to be moving so I fired it up and found some binding. Wouldn't you know it, the camstack gear had a crack in it but that's not so bad so I ordered a new one. Once I have it up and running again I'll order a new set of cords and she will be in business:

Bernina Record 730

This was just so exciting to find all of these Bernina's in decent shape with inexpensive repairs needed. It's a Bernina season, to be sure!

Were you wondering if I bought the Kenmore I found before the Bernina? I thought about it for about ten seconds and said nope, I better stick with what I've got. Blessings all around!

Baby Bernina

I'm always asked "Where do you get you sewing machines?" and that's not easy to answer. Resale shops, thrift stores, yard sales, online auctions, and sometimes people just offer me their old sewing machines. Yesterday I followed some of my own advice by being persistent and stopping in at a local thrift store to see what I could find for 40% off on senior Tuesday. There she was, a Bernina Sport 801. No kidding. Needle moved up and down, dials all moved nicely, feed dogs were lowered and raised, only problem was a missing set of power cords and foot control. I had several sets of cords at home, none working well, but at least I could test it out. There were no accessories to be found and not even a foot on the machine and further inspection showed it was missing a bobbin case but I was not discouraged. She came home with me:

Bernina Sport 801 upon arrival

This poor machine has taken a beating with built up dust inside but no real dirt in the main areas, just a dirty exterior. Tape and taped instructions on the body lead me to believe this was a school model but I got to work and removed them. She cleaned up quite well so then I found a set of cords and tried her out: PERFECT stitches! Minor tension adjustment and she was even better. Oh joy, a Bernina at a rock bottom price. I have extra feet and other accessories I can add but then I notice someone has scratched "I love ..." on the top cover. I'm not loving that so I get out a scratch remover compound and get working. Here's the result:

Scratches after buffing compound

Pretty good, huh? Next up is a  scarred knob on the hand wheel but the buffing compound doesn't really improve it too much.  I checked my collection of knobs only to find a Bernina knob; it was from a Minimatic and has red trim:

Bernina knobs

 I tried it out and think it might not be too bad yet I kept the original in hopes of painting the interior. Maybe. This model also has a nice selection of stitches:

and that makes it an all around great addition to any sewing machine collection. With its built in handle it makes this model a nice travel machine. I have an offer out there for a new cord set and when it arrives I'll be all set. Don't you think it deserves a new bag, too? I'll practice using it and show you the results when I get it all done. Oh joy, a great machine at a great price and I even get to spend a little time sewing on it. Spring has sprung but we have a snowstorm coming our way later tonight and into tomorrow but I'm not too concerned because I have a project I'm itching to work on!

Bernina Sport 801 all cleaned up and ready to sew

These Boots Were Made For Walking

I've been sewing up a storm in anticipation of a new granddaughter coming in May. Elly had been making these great boots that were so very cute so I bought the pattern, too, and went to work:

6-9 months size in flannel

6-9 months size in fleece

They weren't too difficult when making the larger sizes but somehow I had difficulty picturing them on my spring birthday granddaughter. She wouldn't need to keep her feet warm for many months so what she needed were baby shoes instead. I found a free pattern that I adapted to work for me:

Boots in the back row and shoes in the front

The inside edge was just trimmed close and I thought it looked too raw so I practiced with bias tape to make a finished edge that would look clean but also not bother tender little feet:

Inside out with bias tape binding

The color choices and combinations were endless but then I decided they needed to be in all three sizes:

And then the larger size needed to have grippy soles. Since a shower date was coming up soon I needed to finish up and decide which ones would be part of the gift and which ones would be the start of a new product line for the fall craft sales. I got a little crazy and made up a sparkly pair:

See the white grippy soles on this pair?

It was all so much fun and then I arranged in a basket (suggestion courtesy of other daughter) and wrapped with inspiration from Pinterest:

Baby shoe wardrobe

Wrapped up with socks on a clothesline

For any other baby gift I would have given a bib, burp cloth, and shoes as a set but my daughter makes burp cloths herself so wouldn't be needing any so the shoe wardrobe seemed appropriate. A good time was had by all and even a parting photo of my daughters with me:

Karen, Alison, and Kelly

We are blessed!