A Wonderful Day of Sea, Sky and Crafting!

What a great weekend for gathering at the coast. A weekend of good people, good food and good times! Mary's third crafting event (Space Craft Center Splashes Down in Half Moon Bay!) was a great success. It can be said there was a buzz in the air, as friends, old and new, gathered for two days of celebrating the hand-made arts.

A word about the venue: The Johnston Ranch is an historical property just outside the little, coastal town of Half Moon Bay on the Central Coast of California. While just minutes from the hustle of the City, this quaint "Village by the Sea" boasts beautiful scenery and wonderful things to do.

The Historic Old Coastal Railroad Station, located on the Johnston Ranch, was the setting for this event, and as an ode to handcrafting, what better than the birds singing in the adjacent fields, and the pleasant breeze off the bay.

And, of course, my collection of vintage sewing machines made their appearance. All were plugged in and ready to sew. A new acquisition was on the bench: a Singer 500A was getting "the treatment"; a minor overhaul that promises it many more years of enjoyment for its next lucky owner.

You'll note too, a few machines are gone from my gallery. A Singer 403A (a true classic in fantastic condition) found its way home with my sister; and its "little sister", a Singer 404 will be flying back to Dallas with my niece, whose first foray into the world of sewing netted a new apron in the Millennial Tarten. And the Morse 4300 has a new owner, as Catherine B. drew the winning ticket in the event's raffle.

All in all: the perfect day!

Sold a 401A!

This was another of Diane's SMs (sewing machines). This, too, hurt a bit. I had to remind myself that (A) it wasn't mine, and (B) I have one! This one was from 1960, so fifty-one years young. No doubt, Singer's top of the line, and a machine never to be matched.

I do, however, have the very core of the collection I'm interested in: Singer Slant-O-Matics from the 301 to the 500A. I still need a 503A of my own, and I'm on the hunt!

Singers will be well represented at Mary's Space Craft Center crafting event in Half Moon Bay this coming weekend. I won't have the full contingent of vintage machines that I had there last week, but I'm thinking, in addition to my singers (301, 401A, 403A, 500A, 185J), the Brother Select-O-Matic, the Elna Grasshopper, the Morse 4300 (of course. It's being raffled off!)... What else? It remains to be seen. See you there? http://spacecraftcenter.com/

Sold Two Machines

Well, I sold two of Diane's machines, the "Bisque" Featherweight and the 503A "Rocketeer". The 503 is that one seen in my photo section taken apart for a light reconditioning.

I hated to let that Rocketeer go, as I grew somewhat attached after giving it a thorough cleaning and oiling. It really did respond well to the attention I gave it. It's in very nice condition and a little time "in the shop" did wonders. This is what I enjoy most about these vintage machines: breathing new life into them. I'm sure it's good for another fifty years.

So, I'll have fewer machines at Mary's next crafting event on June 26th, but those that I'll bring are very representative of my collection, and will show well, I'm sure. And of course they'll be available for those signed up for sewing projects on the 26th, as well as being available to all for testing and trying on the 25th when Mary has planned an open house in the evening. http://spacecraftcenter.com/ Another great opportunity to to see these vintage beauties.

And, yes, there will be a few for sale!

Space Craft Center in Half Moon Bay!

Well, I had my sewing machines at Space Craft Center's HMB event, and it was a very nice day in the cool of the coast to spend working on projects, as others there were doing, or working on machines as I was doing.

We had 15 machines up and running, and it was an impressive sight; the colors, the sounds and the comments (my Elna "Grasshopper" won praise for its fine stitch and delicate manners).

I took apart Diane's 503A to the extent that I would normally for a good cleaning, oiling and adjustment. Without any need for parts or repair, this is a good, intermediate servicing, well above a simple "lube job", but not a restoration by any means.

Edie was there with a number of machines from her collection including an Elna Supermatic from about 1955, and a couple of toy machines that surprised with their quality of design and construction; one of these was a replica of her Supermatic with a hand crank and chain stitch capability. The other, while still a toy, was made of cast iron, just like its "big sisters".

Saturday was a day for setting up and getting things just right for Sunday's event. We had a gourmet pizza dinner that evening at the train station, then enjoyed a private tour of The Johnston House, that little colonial saltbox that is a symbol of HMB's connection to its Victorian past. A wonderful time with a fine walk among the poppies and the roses before our own little step back in time.

I brought Edie's Supermatic home with me for a little maintenance of its own. It will need a part or two, but promises to be up and running as the very nice machine it was designed to be.

Show and Sale in Half Moon Bay, CA June 12th, 2011

Just a reminder that my collection of sewing machines will be on display and available for use at Space Craft Center's crafting event next week, June 12th, in Half Moon Bay, CA.

http://spacecraftcenter.com/

If you've ever wanted to see or try vintage machines, this will be a good time for that. I'll have the bulk of my collection there, as well as a few machines belonging to others that will be for sale.

I'll be answering questions about vintage sewing machine collecting, maintenance and repair. If you have an older machine gathering dust in the attic, this will be your chance to find out about its suitability for rescue, repair and use. Keep in mind that there are many who believe these older, all-metal machines are the ones worth keeping.

If you've been to Half Moon Bay, you know how quaint a town it is, perfect for strolling Main Street looking in windows, shopping for souvenirs and grabbing a bite to eat.

The event will be taking place at the Old Coastal Railroad Station that is now used as a community venue, and is just next to the historic Johnston House, "The White House on the Hill", an authentic saltbox house once owned by a pioneering family from the area. I believe that a special tour of the Johnston House will be offered to those attending Space Craft Center's event. Visit Space Craft Center's website for more information about the event. http://spacecraftcenter.com/