I hope you all had a relaxing few weeks. I did not accomplish everything I hoped during the break, like writing and mailing Christmas cards, darning moth holes, or even cleaning. But I did at least do Christmas e-cards, which takes a lot of stress out of the whole business as you can leave them to the last minute or even the day itself. I did do more baking and cooking than usual, however – orange and ginger amaretti biscuits, chocolate chip cookies to use up the egg yolks left over from the amaretti, cranberry sauce and a store-bought vegetarian roast for a Christmas eve dinner. Finally, I frosted the Christmas cake.
New Year’s Eve sunset
Christmas day was quiet. I opened my two presents – a needle book from a friend, and a new sewing machine from Santa. In truth, of course, I bought the machine. The necessity of buying your own Christmas presents is slightly depressing. There’s no mystery about what’s hidden in the wrappings, or surprise on opening the gift. But I keep in mind that the funds for the present came from Gordon’s pension, and overlook the mystery to remember, and be thankful for, the ongoing care it represents.
Much of the recent spare time has been spent on the internet, much for learning about the new sewing machine. I’d set it up right away, but it’s an overlocker/serger, a type of machine that was new to me, and frankly I was a bit scared of it. My first attempts using only the manual were not successful. One series of online videos, for a different make of machine, demystified serging, but the constant changing of tension dials was intimidating. The next video I watched was for ‘my’ machine, and that’s when the penny dropped. My problem had been thread tension, and this video made clear that there were additional thread guides/tension dials behind the machine, which I’d completely missed in the manual’s diagrams. With that problem solved, I worked through all the stitch combinations and have succeeded in making a pair of leggings.
Snow on the skylight
The 2nd of January was the museum open day, which I attended to help the Johnston group print photos. One of the star attractions of the event is giving folk an opportunity to dress up in Victorian garb and have their photo taken in the ‘Johnston Studio’. Of course the photography is digital, but the props and backdrops are from the original studio. Knowing that attendance would be down this year, due to the weather – snow showers started on New Year’s and haven’t stopped since – I’d taken the gansey along. I knit until my fingers hurt.
Winter sunset by the Soldiers’ Tower monument
Apart from the open day and trying to fathom the new machine, I’ve been watching too much TV and knitting a lot. Yesterday a milestone was achieved – I am now ready to start the yoke. Needless to say, I am very pleased with the progress, as it was cast on only three and a half weeks ago. Progress will now slow, but if the snow keeps up . . .
Wishing you a oeaceful and sewing machine successful new year
New systemszare intimidating..
Well done for mastering it xx
Ooh, a serger! Neat!
Congratulations on getting that much knitting done in such a short time. Now do rest your fingers.
The soreness was mostly gone by the next morning.
Good for you! Yes, sergers are a law unto themselves!
I have a life long attraction to sewing machines, starting back as a toddler. My mother had a Singer treadle machine which had been converted to electric. I was fascinated with it! However strictly forbidden to touch it because “I might put the needle through my finger” So the cabinet was kept locked.
However at about 4 years old, I discovered that I could unlock it with the handle of my comb. So I could admire all the forbidden goodies!
And I’ve had various machines over the years, but my prize ones are a collection of 1870’s to 1900’s hand crank machines.
I downsized to 3 electronic machines and a serger for daily use. But those beautifully decorated little hand cranks are my real love.
And after 70 some years, I still haven’t put the needle through my finger!
I’ve got my M-I-L’s old hand crank Singer. Unfortunately when I was carrying it downstairs in its case, the clasp gave way and thud thud thud, down the stairs it went. It probably still works, but the spool pins are bent. I hope to find someone to fix it.
If you take it to a machinist shop, they can probably straighten the pins out.
How do I know that ………….?
Congratulations on the new serger. Despite the non-surprise, it’s lovely that you have a gift that Gordon would have given you. And congratulations on sorting out how to thread and use it. They can be challenging at first but then it’s “how did I sew without one of these?” All the best in the New Year!