FRIDAY SEWS APRIL 23/21 - Some new Patterns, Fabric and a chat

[@tracesew4512]

I inherited my grandmother’s singer sewing machine, it is like a 110 year old machine, my father (he is 83) suggested to restore it, but it has all the “wear and tears” of my grandma’s sewing (dents from closing the flap midways, water rings, etc). So I just decided to keep it as is. Just like you, I don’t have the space to keep it as is so I decided to detach the head of the machine and put it in display and used the machine furniture as my current sewing machine table, which gave the space to be able to keep it and display it and use it. I kind of gave up the chance to sew with it, but got to keep it with me. I have not completely discarded the idea of restoring it so I can sew with it, but for the time being I can enjoy looking at the sewing machine when I walk into my sewing room and also using the furniture everyday when I sit to sew. With this birthday present I can totally tell you had a great birthday 🥳. Thanks for sharing your great grandmother story, which gave me a chance to share my own. Take care.

[@suek7086]

I love that new machine. My younger sister and I both learned on a treadle sewing machine and she still has it. I just inherited our moms newest machine and cabinet. She has not used it in at least 15 years and when I told her I would be proud to have it some time. She told me to take it and was tickled that I immediately took it to be serviced. My grandmother didn’t sew because her mother taught her older sister to sew and her to cook. Unfortunately, I didn’t pass it on to my daughters though showed my granddaughter when she was five. Since then she has lived too far away. Enjoy your machine.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

That’s so lovely and great that both you and your sister sew. My daughters aren’t interested either, hopefully your granddaughter will as she gets older and you can teach her remotely 😁❤️❤️

[@aleciacope3503]

Happy Birthday Queen Alex! I'm so happy you found such a lovely antique treadle machine like your great grandmother's. Enjoy!!! And I think it's sweet your mom still gives you birthday money. I suspect you'll be doing the same with your children 😉

[@michellem3899]

I have my great grandma’s Singer treadle that I am making a quilt on. Love sewing with memories

[@southerncrossstitches]

You’re so right Alex about our families not wanting to hear us talking about sewing. I love KZbin for this reason. Kinda in a weird way feels like your in a conversation 💗🧵💗

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Yeah, the fact it’s solitary is the only downside to sewing. Hopefully we’ll be able to organise meet ups soon 🤞🏻❤️

[@elainewraight8138]

That' s what mum taught me on, space constraints meant it was scrapped as we grew up. She worked in a factory making trousers for Burtons. Wow did we stub our toes on the legs as we ran around. Happy memories

[@AlexJudgeSews]

What a great way to start ❤️❤️

[@robynjury4403]

Happy Birthday! (And being 53 is not so bad.....) and what a fantastic vintage machine - table - I can see why you love it so much! I

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Thanks Robyn, I honestly think my fifties have been the best years so far and as my favourite skincare guru says ‘old is the goal’ ❤️❤️

[@halesmoore]

Just think of the small businesses you're supporting😁 love the treadle machine!

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Yes Hales, good point 😂😘

[@Hide_and_silk]

I love that you have a sewing machine like your great grandmother. My maternal grandfather was from the East End of London and my grandmother was a district nurse (including during the blitz). My great grandmother was a tailoress too. So many lovely connections with our past. Xx

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Ooh imagine if we were related, nearly all my Mum’s side of the family were from the East End going back generations 😁❤️

[@Hide_and_silk]

@@AlexJudgeSews That would be so fun! Ditto my grandad's family. Grandad made shoes and had a shop on the Old Kent Road until it was bombed in the blitz. Actually his shop was the only building left standing but he wasn't allowed to go back as it was too dangerous with unexploded munitions etc. I often wonder if that's where my love of leatherworking came from. His dad (my great grandad) was a stevedore on the docks.

[@lesleyjones5455]

What a lovely catch up. Love your top/dress. Fabric is gorgeous

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Thank you ❤️❤️

[@katehampshire8410]

👏👏yay fabric shopping. Went into my local shop which doesn’t have a huge range but still managed to buy some chambray for a pair of dungarees. I said to the owner that my new plan is to just buy for the next project. She said “ yeah, right. That won’t happen” I guess she knows me too well!

[@Sloths.and.Orchids]

The old machine is just so precious!! So much history and creative energy in there 💖😘💜 I love that teal with the roses fabric... What a shame they only had that much left.. and yes, collecting fabric is a completely separate hobby from sewing! 🤣💖

[@AlexJudgeSews]

You enabler! 😘

[@sallydingle321]

Great catch up Alex and I adore your "new"...old sewing machine 👌😍.... lovely that it bares your name 😁. Fab fabric and plans as usual and I have my eye on the Isla shirt...looks lovely 💕👍😘

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Thanks Sally, the shirt pattern has just arrived in the post, so might be today’s project 😁❤️

[@bridgetrsews]

That was lovely to hear your about your family connections with sewing, it’s a beautiful machine! Lovely new fabrics ! Bridget R

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Thanks Bridget 😘

[@MeganGMakes]

I love that family connection to dressmaking. A few of my aunts are passionate dressmakers, and my mother was a serious crafter. I feel that connection with them sometimes when I sit down at my machine. What a treasure to have your grandfather's memoir! My grandmother's "memoir" was a series of audio interviews my uncle did a few years before she passed away. It is still lovely to read and listen to!

[@AlexJudgeSews]

It’s lovely isn’t it? I bet those interviews are fascinating ❤️❤️

[@elisestewart5416]

I went to Aberkhan Shrewsbury. Managed to hold out til Wednesday 🤣. And yes I got a load of fabric too. Just has to be done.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

😁. It’s hit or miss though isn’t it, usually if I’m short on cash I find loads I want 🤷🏼‍♀️😂

[@elisestewart5416]

@@AlexJudgeSews it encourages impulse shopping as if you like it then you know it won't be there next time. As you said "it will become something". I went for a zip (which I didn't get) and came back with 6 pieces of fabric lol

[@lynnhunter5790]

I managed to resist the local fabric shop until tue. I was in town having my hair done (huge relief!!!). I was very good though, only bought some thread 😂. I’m loving the look of that new fibre mood dress pattern. Right up my street. Had to laugh when you said you’d been making trousers and spent half the time unpicking. I’ve just finished a M and M Ellis dress and I’ve never unpicked so much before 🙈. However I persevered and I’m very happy with the end result.

[@clairec20]

I had a treadle for a while ( house move forced sale🙁) and found Singer treadle machine instructions online that were free. I don’t think the machines would be that different? I learnt to sew on my mum’s treadle many years ago and loved it. I also have dressmaking and fabrics ‘ in the blood’ and love using inherited threads , buttons ,etc . You do get a feeling of a connection with past family members which is lovely. Enjoy your machine 💕

[@craftymystic4868]

How lovely you have your family history. There are tons of resources out there and a whole rabbit hole of vintage machine lovers. While I got rid of about half of my sewing machine collection, that included treadle. First, find the year it was made, and who made it. I think Jones may have been a UK manufacturer as I haven’t run across it in the US. These machines have far more than meets the eye, and if you need a machine that sew a heavy, outdoor things, she’s your machine. I have 2 1950’s and 2 (of the same,for parts) 1960’s machines. The 1960’s machines handle all the thicknesses without skipping a stitch. ❤️ my newer one is a bit of a diva. Which is most of my sewing, so it’s ok. Rabbit hole, Alix (sorry, that was funny, how we did t want to be who we were. I still get called my childhood name by family, but switching to shorter Deb (Deborah)(Debbie). Anyway 😂 and ❤️

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Thank you, that’s all so helpful. My brother (Kurt) and I renamed ourselves Debbie and Stephen on holiday as children, we were so desperately keen to have names like everyone else in the 70s poor Mum had no idea who everyone was talking about 😂

[@MariSews]

I love the story about how you changed the spelling of your name. So fun! And your fabric looks so Asian inspired bits so beautiful! It would look great as a robe.

[@marycunningham8466]

This is exactly the machine that my mother sewed on and I sewed for my daughter, I wish now that I still had it ( space problems) enjoy it they are so beautiful.

[@cjhines726]

Happy belated birthday!🎂🎉🎈

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Thank you ❤️❤️

[@jounderhill6913]

Hey AlEx! 😉 Some gorgeous fabrics - the yellow one is sunshine in fabric form 😃 Thanks for the name check! I do like the Estuary Skirt but my heart lies with both versions of the Gypsum (also by Sew Liberated) 😍 Good luck with those strides...looking forward to seeing them next time. 💜

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Oh no, I got the wrong one! Still, whenever I see an LB Pullover or a Forager Vest I always think of you 😂🥰

[@jounderhill6913]

@@AlexJudgeSews Ha! Turning up like a bad penny! Actually, I’ve just started an LB...😬😆

[@jennetthamilton7942]

My husband's grandmother gave me her her treadle sewing machine and her wooden sewing box that her husband made for her. I will definitely pass them onto my granddaughter. The younger one has shown an interest in sewing. I would rather sew than do just about anything.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Oooh wow, that’s fabulous I so wish I had one that had been passed down, so sad when you think how many have been thrown away ❤️❤️

[@Hagardashery]

Happy birthday Alix 😉 - what a fab birthday gift - I’ve the same Jones machine (a hand crank though).

[@sew_april]

Thats a great sewing machine kiss your momma I wish mine was still here! Happy late birthday mine was last Saturday :) Great fabrics love the one for the robe! I went crazy with fabric this month for my birth month too lol it's ok! ;)

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Ahh Happy Birthday fellow Aries, I appreciate the fabric enabling 🥰

[@sew_april]

@@AlexJudgeSews anytime😉😊

[@pinkysfarm461]

Teal just looks so amazing on you!!!!

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Thank you 😘

[@MarieMadeThis]

Very useful tip about the Abakhan bin width - I hadn't realised! I've been a good girl and not been there yet. "Yet" being the important word ... :-) Do love that Hippolyta dress.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

But you did go to Leon’s 😂

[@MarieMadeThis]

@@AlexJudgeSews Guilty as charged! 🙋🏻‍♀️😇☺️

[@thebarefootsewer711]

Great Friday sews👍 Thanks Alex

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Thank you 😘

[@nicolam5965]

I have 6 metres of the Chicken fabric. I thought an Anna dress by By Hand London might be nice in it or an Elodie Wrap Dress, Closet Case. I love it.

[@christinanorton6]

I was in Leon's as well, but I didn't spot that lovely fabric! I've managed to resist Abakhans so far. It's the wearing of face masks that puts me off. Which actually could be a positive thing, it means that I will have to use my stash! Love your video 🙂

[@dianemorrall2687]

Love the sewing machine! I remember my Mum having a Singer treadle machine when I was young. She was absolutely delighted when Dad bought her an electric Singer machine and I'm assuming the treadle got booted. Over the years, I have mentioned in conversation how I'd love a Singer treadle machine. Well about five years ago, one of my daughters found one on Facebook and bought it for me! It doesn't have the belt and so doesn't work but it has all the attachments. Maybe I'll see about getting it serviced one day. It sits in our hallway and looks quite nice. Would you leave the machine on display or have it folded into the table? We live in a dusty environment and know it would get dirty but it seems a shame to have it tucked away.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

That’s so thoughtful of your daughter ❤️❤️. I’m not sure, like you say it’s seems a shame to leave it tucked away. Dave’s suggestion is it could live in our bay window, I’m concerned people will knock on the door and ask me to do their repairs 😂

[@dianemorrall2687]

@@AlexJudgeSews 😂😂

[@eileenturner9932]

I have got the same sewing machine and l love it x

[@juliesew_me_something699]

In school Aged 11 I have memories of a fierce ‘old lady’ with a grey top knot shouting in my ear treadle girl treadle ! still fills me with horror 😂 also reason why I never picked up a needle and thread for over 40 years x

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Terrifying, sounds like me and PE 😂

[@Jayemceetee]

Hobkirks in Blackburn have a sewing machine museum and are super helpful. I think you need to make an appointment but worth the trip from where you are. Really easy and basically motorway all the way save for a couple of miles at the end.

[@hayley7918]

Such a great tip about Abakhan, thank you! I’m always rustling in those baskets and never sure how much fabric I’m buying. I’m sure you know but they will cut those remnants if you ask, as long as the remaining piece you leave behind is over a meter. I can’t wait to get back into town and have a rummage. So sad the Alty shop shut.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Ooh that’s brilliant Julie and not too far away, I just need to find an excuse to lure Dave to Blackburn 😁

[@AlexJudgeSews]

It really is, I have to be far more organised now and I miss the staff ❤️

[@Hide_and_silk]

Ooh I have the same fabric you got from Leon's!!! I got it from Minerva last year...and, yes, it is a poly but I still love it.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

What are you going to do with it, I’m not sure. I feel there’s be a perfect pattern for it, but I can’t think what it is yet 😁

[@Hide_and_silk]

@@AlexJudgeSews When I bought it I was thinking either cigarette pants or some sort of sheath dress...but now I'm thinking maybe a jacket but a boxy style like the Yanaka jacket by Liesl and Co.?

[@physioontheriver7325]

Love your vintage sewing machine Alex! My Granny was a domestic science teacher in the 1930 so like you I feel it’s in the blood. I’d love to join your club thingy on Sundays if there is a spare invite. Can’t remember what time it is though. Diana

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Yes, in your blood too but does that mean you’re good at all domestic things? I’m definitely not 😂

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Can you get a message to me or email [e-mail] with your mobile number so we can send you an invite? 3.30pm UK time

[@physioontheriver7325]

@@AlexJudgeSews Good but I hate it!!

[@andreab3671]

I have a 1894 coffin top singer which I have been too nervous to try using. There is a website that you put in the serial number and they will tell you the manufacture details and date which is how I found out mine is from 1894.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

That’s amazing, if only you could find out who owned it. I’m going to look mine up 🤞🏻

[@maevefanning2968]

Hi Alex - I just bought the Mave skirt pattern from True bias just cos its a version of my name ☺

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Phew, not just me then 😂

[@annettecowburn1096]

I always used a treddle machine at school and loved using it. It's such a shame they take up so much room.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Yep not small, but I hate seeing them turned into tables in bars 😢

[@lucillewong1161]

Ooohhhh...i love your blouse⚘👍🏼😍👏👏👏did you make it yourself?

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Yes, it’s this kzbin.info/www/bejne/bJKcXq2NYp5qe9E

[@julietaylor4932]

Hi Alex. I made the Victor trousers and found the legs to be really baggy. Haven't a clue how to trim them down.

[@anncasseldine9673]

I went out on the first possible shopping day, and bought a new sewing machine.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

👏🏻 hooray, how exciting. What did you get?

[@anncasseldine9673]

A Brother F420, with every gadget I think I will ever want!

[@dianeovenden]

I learnt to sew on a treadle sewing machine. 😌

[@AlexJudgeSews]

What a lovely way to learn ❤️❤️

[@physioontheriver7325]

Can’t see the sew over 50 link anywhere?

[@AlexJudgeSews]

#so50oldphoto on Instagram

[@lilybogaards5089]

💕

[@howardpennpenn]

Another lovely 'chat'! I find myself chatting back!🙄🥴...

[@AlexJudgeSews]

I do that too, I shout at the Sewing Bee 😂

[@mrsmoore146]

Didn’t you leave a coat or jacket on a train? I have a vague memory of you saying something like that. Janey in NZ

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Shh, I’m still traumatised, that was a different one. 😁

[@sarahmay3307]

My 87 year old mother in law is an Alix and she pronounces it A Licks.

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Oh wow, is she from an English speaking country?

[@sarahmay3307]

@@AlexJudgeSews Yes she is from Saffron Walden. I think it may be of Scottish derivative.

[@anessaharris9947]

😃

[@JaqueBampi]

Channel Vintage Sewing Machine Garage 😉

[@AlexJudgeSews]

Oooooooh thank you ❤️❤️❤️

[@lorainemunro7969]

🐯