W.I.P.W. (block crazy), Winner, Hexie Love, Singer 66-16 Project continues...

7:00:00 AM

Work in Progress Wednesday it is!! Linking up today to Freshly Pieced W.I.P. Wednesday :)

Bunch of stuff on the cutting mat at the moment; here we go:

1. Winner of the Sew at Home Mummy giveaway (Denise Schmidt Chiccopee charm pack) for the March Classic meets Modern block, by Random.org, #4:
Drunkards Path
Sandy @ Upstairs Hobby Room, I've contacted you by email, check your inbox!

2. Block crazy - 
a) I pulled my fabrics for the April blocks for {Faith} Circle of do.Good Stitches; now I just need to make them...I hope to get them done today and off to her tonight; here are Melissa's blocks from her tutorial for us - the blocks are called "Shape Shifters" {her tutorial is here} 
b) I made my first block for the "For Pink Sakes!" charity hop:
...if you're interested in making a pink block, any size over 4", square, for an awesome cause, click {here} for more info :)

3. My Ombre Hexie quilt top is DONE! Twenty-four hand-pieced hexagon triangles all appliqued in place. Now I just need to get the back all pieced and send it off to the long armer!

4. The Singer 66-16 Project:
A few weeks ago, I picked up a 1941 Singer 66-16 on eBay for $20, local pick-up, cabinet included. The machine looked to be in great shape other than needing a new light, rear plate, and a foot pedal wired (it's currently wired with a knee bar I don't want to use). I've never owned an old machine like this, and I bought it for the challenge of fixing one up. I wanted to start out easy, with a machine that didn't need much work.

After doing a bunch of research about these older machines, I realized I should check the wiring out before really using it. 

And since I'd need to rewire the light and wire a pedal, why not check the motor wires?

Good thing I did.

... when I got the cover plate off of the motor, look what I found inside - bare wires and crumbled jacketing/insulating material strewn all over...
see the wire far right? it's lost all of its insulation over the years. EEP!
 Problem is, if a bare wire touches the metal of the motor casing or machine, it electrifies the entire machine (since they're cast iron) - which could shock the user if they touched the machine.

I've got everything dismantled, all ready to clean up and re-wire. I ordered some replacement wire, soldering supplies, wire terminals and heat shrink tubing...everything I need for my first re-wiring job!
 The 73-year old wires are just falling apart to the touch...
 ...the power cord needs to be rewired too (bottom zip-loc below).

The light (top ziploc bag below) I thought was a write-off since the Bakelite base is cracked and broken; I removed all of the (medical!) tape that was holding the pieces together, took a better look at it, and I think once it's Gorilla-glued back together, tape gunk removed, and rewired, it'll be just fine. And doing it this way will cost about $1, vs. $16.

And this way I get to keep the light original, with the gorgeous "SINGER" decal on it.
So now I wait until I get all of my wiring supplies - in the meantime I'll get to cleaning the inside of the motor and the light.

An update on this again next Wednesday!

5. Eye candy.
Fat Quarter Shop is having a spring cleaning sale, have you heard?
tee hee! a lot of their sale stuff is 50% off. Less than $6/yard!

I had an hour last night to peek through their sale section and YUM! I was playing around a bit and came up with a few bundles that I thought would look awesome together...

some springy greens - 

top row: Out N' About Olive Green Highway Signs  | Michael Miller Loden Cotton Couture SolidKimba Tan and Green Bubble Dots 

bottom row: In My Room Green Shade Tree  |  Sweet Things Lime Large Tonal Dots  |   Green Large Chevron


... or how about a bundle with some Kaffe thrown in, inspired by a Pantone color report?
Pantone image courtesy of aboveallbetrue.blogspot.com
from top left:
Sweet Things Lime Blossom  |  Kaffe Fassett Collective Green Kim  |  Sweet Things Melon Teeny Tiny Donuts  |  Paint Box Red Wicker  |  Kaffe Fassett Collective Blue Crackle  |  Sweet Things Lavender Large Tonal Dots
... I love that Kaffe in there...

Gorgeous eye candy!

Happy Wednesday everyone!

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3 comments

  1. I so admire you for tackling the refurbishment. Love the progress reports!

    ReplyDelete
  2. You are doing so much work bringing this machine back to life. Keep posting your progress!

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  3. How do you find the time? You are now a mechanic, I say it again and again you amaze me and how awesome is that only $20, sweet, good luck with your new Singer. oh and love the bundles you put together with the sales fabrics, mmm..pretty.

    ReplyDelete

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