old blue

Take a look at this beauty. This is the vintage industrial quilting machine that I found on Craigslist a couple of weeks ago. It's a Cornely, approximately 50 years old, and I'm bringing it home tomorrow. Swoon...

The current owner bought it from a company in Indiana that she used to work for, where she constructed and quilted high-end comforters. When the company moved their manufacturing out of the county, the owner purchased the machine and has had it since. She doesn't quilt much anymore so she's selling it--lucky me! She was also kind enough to spend three hours last Sunday teaching me how to use and clean the machine. I took lots of photos and notes so I can remember what to do when I get it home!

Old Blue sews only a chain stitch. Check out this needle, which is actually open like a crochet hook instead of closed with an eye like a standard sewing machine needle.

I'm seriously impressed with the stitching that Old Blue does. Here's a little practice piece I quilted on it. I can't wait until I really get the hang of using the machine to see what I can come up with!

It's really a pretty basic, but incredibly solid, machine. But, I still took lots and lots of photos so I can reference them if needed. I'm sure they will come in handy when I go to switch the thread.

Wish us luck with the move tomorrow. Old Blue is on the third floor of her house and it's heavy!

dinosaur eggs!!!

When you've got two little kids who love dinos, and who are a bit freaked out by the Easter bunny, you color "dinosaur eggs" along with the traditional ones.

Here's how I did it.

Follow your favorite technique for hard cooking eggs. Let cool completely. Prepare dye according to the directions on the package.

To make "dino eggs" just substitute brown eggs for white ones, and voila: dinosaur eggs!

The brown eggshells don't pick up the dye nearly as well as the white ones do, resulting in darker, more mottled eggs...kind of what I imagine dinosaur eggs looked like!