Thursday, January 31, 2013

Treadling on Thursday

I have been treadling away on my Singer 127, piecing together small bits from my scrap basket. It has been challenging at times, but I think I am getting better at it...practice, practice and more practice is the only way to improve!
I tried piecing the scraps on phone book pages...didn't like the feel of that.
Then I tried piecing the scraps on an old roll of adding machine tape...PERFECT! 
Just wide enough (3") to use up all these old bits and pieces. I am cutting the tape in lengths of about 12" as a foundation to piece onto, and usually have two or three strips going at the same time. SO FUN!
Here are the first 8 blocks trimmed up. I have no idea how I will set them together, maybe like chinese coins? 
Maybe I should use a setting with sashing like Mary's - click here to see her coin quilts.
I won't be able to sew rows together until I figure out how to treadle a good 1/4" seam, so I have lots of time to make blocks while I practice.
It will be fun to have a quilt made entirely on my Treadle!

14 comments:

Kate said...

Looks like fun. Love your bright scrappy strips. They would make a fun frame for an embroidered block if you had one that needed framing.

Jacqui's Quilts said...

Kathy: Get a 1/4" foot for a FW machine and try that on your treadle. You may have to try a few different styles to find one that works well. Too bad we don't live closer together :-(. I have a number of different ones you can try. What's that sewing place in Kitchener...K-W??? I've heard he's very good with old machines and he would probably know. Make sure you ask for a 1/4" foot for straight stitch machines. I know Alphasew makes them and I have tried a bunch of those on different older straight stitch machines and they work great!!!!!!!!!!! Happy treadling!!

Jacqui

julieQ said...

You must have known I would love this one, Kathy!! Such pretty colors...the adding machine tape is just a perfect idea!

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

love the scrappy...I would do the white sashing.

Anonymous said...

Clever to use the paper tape for your purpose. I love your creativity in all you do.

Missie of Traditional Primitives said...

So cute that you are treadling (old fashioned way) and using paper foundation (new fashioned way)! What a great way to blend the past with the present! Until you find a 1/4" foot as suggested above, could you try a piece of painter's tape to mark your 1/4"? Painters tape won't leave the sticky residue that masking may leave. If you try it bring the painter's tape way down the front and back of your machine so the fabric won't catch it and pull it off. Love your bright colors...very nice!

Karen said...

I learned the adding machine roll of paper trick quite some time ago but have never put it to use. I like that you are using an antique machine to do the stitching on.

The Calico Cat said...

I think those strips would look fun just sewn together - maybe make "blocks" & alternate between up/down & side ways blocks - ala rail fence...

Janet O. said...

Won't it be a fun quilt, however you decide to put them together? I love this!

Darlene said...

What a fun post, Kathy. I get excited when you talk about treadling away on that machine. You'll be zooming like a pro before you know it.

Adorable project.

Gayle said...

I've got a roll of adding machine tape sitting right here - might have to give this method a try! Thanks for the inspiration!

Teresa in Music City said...

How wonderful and colorful! Like shiny copper pennies, they catch the eye and fascinate :*)

Linda said...

Great idea with the adding machine tape. I have some old adding machine tape and hated to throw it away so this will be a great recycle project, I like your idea of a coin quilt too. I have a quarter inch foot for my featherweight and I think this will fit on a treadle too. I'll see if I can find the info where I bought my foot from and let you know. Have fun!

Mary said...

Have fun with your Treadle. I'm tempted to find one for myself, but now I heard of a way to have a Hand crack one from one I already have on Bonnie Quilt Cam the other evening. We shall see how that goes. Good thinking on the adding machine paper. Have you thought of trying Bonnie's hotel card 1/4" trick?