Thursday 29 March 2018

Cresta Sewing Machine by Favta

Hello

Well I have been at it again, Ebay has a lot of answer for!

Found this little machine.  It's a Swiss machine, very similar to an Elna Grasshopper in looks.  The Company Favta made the Darling sewing machine as well.  There is a little bit of history here Info

They are fairly rare machines, seems to be very well made.

It's about the same size as a Singer Featherweight but weighs slightly more




A zig zag machine that comes with decorative stitch cams which sit in a little cupboard in the back of the machine.  The feed dogs drop by turning the knob at the front.  The zig zag stitches have 3 setting, you can zig zag from the left, centre and right so you can do buttonholes easily.




Has a really good size extension table.


The instruction booklet said the motor needed 2 drops of oil in 2 oiling points in the motor, that you had to take the cover off the motor and they are marked in red.  Couldn't see them (the red strip in the middle has the voltage on it) so I quickly put the cover back on working on the theory, that the motor seems fine so leave it alone.


It comes in a neat sturdy case.


Still had the original sales label on it, the other side had the original purchases name on, her address is in Glasgow.  Also has the keys to the case.


Little pocket for the manual, the pedal unplugs from the cable has its own little holder, and the 5 yard (how long!) electric cable unplugs as well.


It came with cams x 5, zig zag foot, button hole foot, hemmer foot, free motion embroidery foot, embroidery hoop, spare bobbins, screwdrivers and oil can.

It was missing its accessory box so I got one off Ebay (not a Favta one, its too long, the original would have sat behind the free arm) which came with some contents including some bobbins which I hadn't actually looked at as it was the box I was after.  When it arrived, I discovered the bobbins were exactly the right ones for the machine!  I have never seen ones like this before.  How jammy was that?

It's a lovely machine, in good condition.   It does a beautiful straight stitch.  Had a quick go with one of the decorative stitch cams but I must be doing something wrong as it didn't quite work properly.  Will have to have another go.

Word of warning, when you lift the cams off to take them out, make sure you have a good grip, I let go of mine too soon and it fell down the back inside the cupboard, it was a devil to get out, there isn't much room behind where it sits.

The down side that its been owned by a smoker and has a strong odour.  Yuk so have put it away after airing it, popped some lavender bags in the case, kept the manual in my box of loose lavender.  Going to see if it makes any difference.  I did give it a clean and oil as well so it was started to smell a bit better.

Not sure what I am going to do with this machine, I was curious as I had a little go with a Darling machine which was cute.  This one had much more going for it and it wasn't a great deal of money.  So hey ho, pressed the buy it now button.

Cheers
Sharon

Monday 26 March 2018

Sylko Trylko Bobbin Drawers Refurbishment

Hello

I bought this Trylko set of drawers a while ago, at the time I just touched up the paintwork where it was flaking off on the edges.


It looked Ok at the time, here it is with its "sister" drawers


BUT keeping it in the conservatory in the sun did not do it any good at all.  The paint started to flake off the back big time.  Ooops.

So drastic action was needed, I went to the decorating shop with a drawer in hand and got them to match the paint.  Unfortunately, the smallest quantity of eggshell was one litre so I have enough for loads of these boxes.  I can't see myself a painting anything else purple!

I sanded down the flaky bits and started  painting.  



Only have 3 vintage Trylko bobbins of thread (I did have but sold them on Ebay before I got the drawers, doh).


There is something about neat tidy rows of bobbins.



Still haven't found a teeny handle for the bottom drawer.

Trylko was a trade name for Dewhursts Terylene Polyester thread for sewing synthetic fabrics.  I am guessing that these drawers and bobbins on top of the drawers are from the late 1960s or early 70s.
Sylko was their trade name for their 100% cotton thread.  The mustard thread reel has a price ticket on it for 10p, 

Cheers
Sharon



Thursday 15 March 2018

Winter Weather Makes - Clay Gift Tags and Patchwork Covered Notebooks

Hello

Well I have had quite a bit of time off work, first due to the 10+ inches of snow we had, then the gardens were far too wet to do anything with over the last week or so.

Had a little go with DAS Air Dried Clay making gift tags.



Got a bit carried away, made loads, it was very addictive.  Used my biscuit cutters (biscuits are off the menu for the considerable future due to my trews not fitting!) and the bottle was my rolling pin.



My stamps and inks for the messages.  Pressed pretty buttons and beads in the wet clay.

Then had a go with painting colour onto blanks with of all things, emulsion which were finished off with brush on glaze.


The pattern on the grey tag below was made with my thimble.


All wrapped up.



The next project was to use up some fat quarters of Moda fabric that I bought at the recent Quilt Show in Harrogate, couldn't resist them.



My sewing book is nearly full of patterns, measurements and ideas.  I have been planning on covering it for ages, finally got round to it.




Then made a couple of others just cos I could!



This last week has been machine quilting another one of Anita's unfinished quilts, so that has kept me out of mischief.

Cheers
Sharon