more patchwork blocks, and my new toy!!!

June's swap block was 'Friendship Star' I have made these before (for my own little quilt), but had to buy fabric as neither Lynda or I seem to be particularly keen on orange, the other lady's choice. The black and white on is the one Simone from France sent to me.



This is my birthday present from Phil, we collected her from Watford whilst we were staying in St Albans at MIL's for my birthday. She is a Jones Cylinder Shuttle, made in Manchester; not sure of the exact age, but they stopped manufacturing these in 1929. She has been well loved and looked after, but also well used, so the decals have worn away where the fabric has been passed over the base plate, but the ones on the front are immaculate. I have all the original feet, tools and instruction manual. and she sews like an absolute dream, far better than any of the other (ahem, several   ) machines in the house. I used her to make this month's block, as the accuracy attainable with a solid handcrank machine like this is astonishing. She came from a recycling centre, oh how I would love to know her story!

LOVELY lovely Fabric blocks Tina, love both of them

Sorry about the lack of orange fabric, Tina: don't usually work in orange but you've done beautifully with that block. Don't blame you getting a manual machine: I do sometimes wonder when I'm using mine (mostly for household tasks) whether I wouldn't be better with a manual.

Lynda

She's lovely Tina, I have a beaut in the loft with mother of pearl inlay and marquetry on the box. If only it did zigzag I would still use it. My dad got it from a jumble sale when I was about 12 and painted my name over where it said Singer.I ought to do a LO about it. I love the way the handle folds in and just the smooth engineering. They don't craft machines like that any more. Don't they sound lovely too.
Very nice squares too.

The squares are fabulous Tina, but that machine steals the show. What a BEAUTY!

Great star patch work, I have a hand sewing machine as well, I find it much better than an electric one as you have more control of it, got it some years ago in Saudi.

Yes, the accuracy is brilliant.

No need to apologise Lynda, I'm not mad on orange either, and it was a good excuse to have a little shopping trip  

Takes me back to school, we had hand machines and they were much better for accurate stitching. I always used to love playing about on my Nans treadle machine too.
Lovely squares.

Lovely patchwork Tina. I'm not into sewing but a lovely machine. My grandma had an old treadle machine that I used to have a go on many years ago.

Fab sewing machine, I used to have my Nan's old one like that. I like the orange quilt block