Done with the 12 Days of Christmas

It may be recalled that last year I worked on a set of ornaments depicting the twelve days of Christmas as set forth in the famous song from the 1780s. I was not able to get them all completed then so I took up the project again a few weeks ago.

They are all finished now. The last one to be sewn is the leaping lord, although in my book he's not the twelfth day figure, he's tenth. (The order of the gifts have undergone considerable re-ordering over the years and there are several different versions.) Also finished this year is the dancing lady (day nine).

These were really fun to sew and were an excellent exercise in patience and small stitching. The figures are only about 5 to 6 inches tall. As always, picking out colors was most fun.

The patterns were purchased from Larissa Holland of mmmcrafts. I deviated from the printed instructions by omitting the use of Stick n' Stitch stabilizer. Instead, I embroidered freehand. I also used the barest amount of glue only when absolutely necessary, opting to sew whenever possible.

Although most of these were posted last year, I'm going to show all twelve, now that they are a competed set.

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

Two Turle Doves

Three French Hens

Four Colly Birds

Five Golden Rings

Six Geese a Laying

Seven Swans a Swimming

Eight Maids a Milking

Nine Ladies Dancing

Ten Lords a Leaping

Eleven Pipers Piping

Twelve Drummers Drumming

The Curved Needle

Now that the 1870s Howe sewing machine is running well enough to be functional, albeit it needs more cosmetic restoration, I'm working on the Wheeler & Wilson No. 1 sewing machine from the 1870s. It is older than the Howe and probably dates to 1872. It is unusual in that it does not take a straight needle, it's needle is bent into a curve! Also setting this machine apart is the fact that it does not sew fabric from front to back but from left to right. That part takes a certain getting used to. It's a whole new ball game, but quite nice!

Wheeler & Wilson is the company that made my No. 8 which I've shown before:

There is still a lot of work to do on the No. 1. The bed is in rough shape and needs lots of TLC. I'll be working on it a little bit at a time. The bobbin is also in really bad shape, it was very badly rusted. I've managed to get rid of the rust but it is quite pitted. It works, though, and that's the important bit because they are not easy to obtain. The cabinet also needs some work.

In this very short video, I'm showing it sewing a short length. There is still some troubleshooting to be done for the bobbin and the way it sits in the bobbin case. It needs to float correctly or else the upper thread will not flow around it causing a failure to make a stitch. If it's seated too tightly the thread will get stuck between the bobbin and the clamp. But I'm heartened to be getting any stitches at all, so there's confidence it will end up running smoothly over time.

In this very short video, the 2 small drawers that reside in the cabinet are removed so I can clean them. The No. 1 getting it's feet again after who knows how many decades:

It's been a busy month! And it's going by quickly, but coming up will be a few posts about my Christmas decor and baking. Also on the docket will be updates on my projects.

Movie Night

 A short film (12 minutes) showcasing the Elias Howe sewing machine, circa 1870s. Best viewed full screen.

A Christmas Angel

I finished the angel and she's pretty. I used gold metallic thread and a bit of red metallic thread for a touch of bling. She is after all, an angel. (The metallics don't show up well in the picture.)

I found another of this designer's (Jerome Thomas) patterns in the Winter 2021 issue of Primitive Quilts and Projects magazine and have decided to make that one as well.

* * * * *

Some will say it is too early, but I took my Christmas trees out of the closet this week. They are not decorated and won't be until next week, but I wanted to get them set up so I can decorate whenever the spirit moves me.

There are three trees, one in the kitchen, dining room, and living room. I usually get a real tree for the living room but due to rising costs decided to buy an artificial one this year. I like that artificial trees come in 'slim' designs. The one I bought is only 3 feet wide. I used to have an artificial in NYC and when I moved here, made sure the tree was loaded up on the truck. A few years ago I went down stairs to get the box containing the tree and much to my surprise and chagrin, the box was empty! Whether the tree was taken while in NY or was taken during the move, I know not. (I had it stored in the basement of my apartment building, a shared space.) It is a mystery!

Our weather here has been cool but mild for this time of year. We are having a string of days with highs in the low 40s and lows in the upper 30s. That makes it hard to provide heat because the stove does not do so well if the outside temp is over 40. I lit the stove tonight but did not do so last night. It's fine by me, it means I'm not going through wood at the moment; and it's less work.

I bought a hot water bottle a few weeks ago. It's the best purchase I've made in a long time. I fill it with hot water before going to bed and place it where my feet will lie. No more cold feet while waiting for the sheets to warm up! They are a big deal in England, an acquaintance recently related that the latest thing over there are long, skinny hot water bottles which one can cozy up to. Cool. (Or shall we say 'hot'!). I love simple solutions.

Preparing for the festive season and cooler temps

The temperature dipped low enough for a fire a few weeks ago. The 9th, to be exact. Low 20's F overnight. It always feels good to light a fire for the first time of a season. The enveloping warmth and coziness brings a smile to my face. In the spring it feels like winter will never let go and I wonder how much more stoking the fire I can take. But in the autumn, it's just the opposite; full of romantic notions and the joy of fulfilling basic needs.

Several preparations are underway for the festive season, soon to be upon us. I made a Christmas cake the other day. Full of fruit (36 oz. worth!), full of spirits (brandy, marsala, port), full of spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves). Oh the house smelled so good during and after it's five hour baking. It's all wrapped up now and sitting in a tin until Christmas. I can't wait to taste it!

I used a recipe from Marion's World. The written recipe is in the description box of her video, but do watch it, she's such a delightful person and her channel is fantastic.

I purchased a new Amaryllis bulb this year and contrary to last year, I have planted it on time! I also have the bulb from last year which grew outside all summer. It looks like it's doing something as well. Also this year are three Paper White bulbs. It's going to be glorious when they're all in full bloom.

(l to r) Geraniums brought in from the cold, the new Amaryllis bulb, Paper Whites, the old Amarylis bulb.

I've been steadily sewing, mostly holiday projects. The Santa ornament is finished:

The angel is well underway and will be finished this week:

I have started to applique the pillow cover.  This will take a few weeks:

And the only thing remaining on the snowman table runner is a bit more embroidery on the scarves:

 

A few years ago I bought a book at one of the local thrift shops, just a few bucks. It's a book of Christmas cross stitch patterns. I've never done cross stitch but I want to. When I got it home I found a project that someone had started, folded up and stuck between the pages. It will be a postman delivering Christmas packages when done. I sent away for embroidery floss in the colors needed to finish it and away it all went, up stairs in the room which houses all my craft things (which looks more like an attic at the moment). I brought it down stairs the other day and am meaning to tackle it. Since it's already started and a fair amount of stitching has already been done, I think it will be a good project to start with.

As I write this post I'm enjoying the aroma of Balsam Fir incense. The holiday season is indeed around the corner!

Reflections on an election

Pity the nation whose people are sheep and whose shepherds mislead them.

Pity the nation whose leaders are liars, whose sages are silenced, and whose bigots haunt the airwaves.

Pity the nation that raises not its voice except to praise conquerors and acclaim the bully as hero and aims to rule the world with force and by torture.

Pity the nation that knows no other language but its own and no other culture but its own.

Pity the nation whose breath is money and sleeps the sleep of the too well fed.

Pity the nation – oh, pity the people who allow their rights to erode and their freedoms to be washed away.

My country, tears of thee, sweet land of liberty.

-- Lawrence Ferlinghetti (2007)

“If we are to have another contest in the near future of our national existence, I predict that the dividing line will not be Mason and Dixon's but between patriotism and intelligence on the one side, and superstition, ambition and ignorance on the other.”

― Ulysses S. Grant

The following multifaceted poem is not so easy. Definitely takes a detached view, maybe not a bad thing, but not an easy thing. I suppose on the one hand, it's an honor and privilege to be able to experience the decay, but it's not easy and I don't know if it's inevitable. But it gives us an opportunity to shine, there is that; to look on the bright side. ("Only in the darkness can you see the stars" -- MLK.) I feel the ending of this poem is a bit pessimistic. We must have faith in humanity. Maybe Jeffers is just advising to be cautious.

Shine, Perishing Republic

While this America settles in the mould of its vulgarity, heavily thickening to empire

And protest, only a bubble in the molten mass, pops and sighs out, and the mass hardens,

I sadly smiling remember that the flower fades to make fruit, the fruit rots to make earth.

Out of the mother; and through the spring exultances, ripeness and decadence; and home to the mother.

You making haste haste on decay: not blameworthy; life is good, be it stubbornly long or suddenly

A mortal splendor: meteors are not needed less than mountains: shine, perishing republic.

But for my children, I would have them keep their distance from the thickening center; corruption

Never has been compulsory, when the cities lie at the monster's feet there are left the mountains.

And boys, be in nothing so moderate as in love of man, a clever servant, insufferable master.

There is the trap that catches noblest spirits, that caught — they say — God, when he walked on earth.

-- Robinson Jeffers

And always remember this Turkish proverb:

"When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace becomes a circus."

Spinning for a cardigan

Was greeted with this carpet yesterday morning when I went out to fill the bird table. Unexpected preview of winter. It was  23 F overnight last night, Thursday is supposed to be 74 F. Boing!

 I have settled upon a kitting project: A cardigan. I've wanted one for some time so I've started spinning for one. The pattern I have chosen is called "Ship Shape Cardigan" by Heidi Kirrmaier. Pattern can be found on Ravelry: Ship Shape Cardigan . I won't be knitting it in stripes, though.

I got inspiration for knitting this pattern from Kate at The Last Homely House YouTube channel. She has recently made a video about her adventure knitting it in a solid color. I love the way it looks on her. 

I need DK weight yarn (11 wraps per inch) and I've been auditioning some mixed wool I bought from Wellington Fibers in Canada years ago. I've spun up a bobbin full and plied it 2-ply to knit my swatch with. I'm getting about 11 wpi but my swatch stitches are just very slightly too big, so I'll have to spin a bit thinner than I originally thought.

It's making nice stitches, though. I won't be using this yarn for the sweater because I don't have enough wool. I've ordered some new wool from the same company in a subdued purplish colorway. It should arrive any day now and I'll be able to settle into spinning.

The yarn will be spun from this colorway:

Album: Our Home

I walked up the trail that starts a few hundred feet from my driveway this afternoon. I am told the trail is the work of someone who once had a cabin way out back, but it has also been used as a logging road. The land, almost 1000 acres, is in conservation and we are free to hike at will.

There is a junction at one point where the trail meets Hog Hill Road, now a defunct thoroughfare. It's because of that I was going to name my place Hog Hill Homestead, but there is a multitude of ferns growing at the edge of the field/forest behind my house so I decided to name the place Fernwood.

It's an absolutely beautiful walk and there is so much texture in autumn's outfit. And so quiet and peaceful. At times, only the sound of the babbling brook is heard; some times only the wind flowing through the baring trees. Highlights of the walk were the milkweed seed heads all burst open, sending their progeny to establish themselves further on, and the brook, of course. Glimpses of it meandering at the bottom of the bank, and at times out of view.

I walked as far as the water fall--about 3/4 of a mile--which is barely a trickle now. But after downpours and in the spring, it's a proper water fall, all gurgling and gorgeous. The solitude, and step away from modern life steers my mind to pondering the Native Americans who at one time roamed these lands. The sense that this is our home, this beautiful planet earth, is vivid in these moments.

 

Crazy

Well the month is flying by! To be honest I'm glad election day will soon be behind us, even if the bedlam isn't over after election night. I never thought I'd see things go so badly in the US, but here we are.

The crazy quilt pillow is finished and I'm well pleased with it. I'm feeling inspired to make a full sized quilt now. It could happen. This was a good practice piece to 'get the hang' of it.

This will go on the bed, solely for decoration. The insert is a $5 pillow from a big box store that I opened up to un-stuff a bit and re-sew it shorter, to fit my cover. Works a charm.

Work on the Christmas runner has progressed well. It will be finished soon, probably this week.

Last Sunday's Harvest Festival in a small, nearby village was great fun. I had my three spinning wheels and took them in rotation, demonstrating from 10 am to 3 pm. I also had a couple of my quilts hanging up as backdrops and they got lots of good comments. It's great to see people taking an interest in how wool is spun. My friend from high school had an antique corn shucker that he was demonstrating just outside the door of the barn in which I was stationed. That was also popular.

I was surprised to see how many artisans were displaying and selling their wares. For such a small town, it puts on a good show. Craftsmen and women from all around. A very good turnout as well. I had a very nice, lengthy conversation with a woman from Virginia! And another from Maine!

I made a batch of soap about 3 weeks ago; something I haven't done in quite some time. It should be ready in early December, just in time for the holidays. I scented it with cedarwood and balsam. A small batch, just 6 molded bars.

Making soap is another one of those deeply satisfying endeavors. There is something about taking raw materials, be it lye and fat, or wool, etc. and making something basically useful from them. It just feels great!

I finally learned how to make decent garlic sauce like one gets at Chinese restaurants and I've been making it often. LOL. For a single meal for one, about 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, about 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, about 2 to 3 teaspoons of rice vinegar. Mix those together. Heat a bit of oil in a pan (or wok) and gently saute a couple cloves of crushed garlic and some minced ginger (about a small fingernail amount). Then add the liquids and heat it up. Mix a teaspoon of cornstarch with a teaspoon of water and add that to the sauce and bring it to a boil to thicken. Stop when the consistency is right. I've been steaming a bunch of vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, green pepper, onions, etc.) and sauteing some shrimp, then adding it all to the sauce. The whole thing can be done in a wok as well. Yum yum.

Lots of cello work and piano work last week and I can feel it. Feels good.

New projects

Moving on from the quilt, albeit it needs quilting as does last year's, and they will be started soon. But for smaller projects, there are a handful to work on this autumn before the holidays come around. Three of them are wool appliques and one is crazy quilting.

But first, I've finished the two valances for the dining room and I think the fabric looks good.  These are entirely hand sewn. The second will be hung tomorrow as I had to run to the store this afternoon to purchase a curtain rod.

I made a mistake when designing this one and will need to make an adjustment to it. I forgot to take into account that the rod for the valance juts out a few inches from the wall, hence this one is about an inch or two too narrow. This was not an issue in the living room because I attached the valances to mounting boards and calculated for the depth of the boards. It will be easy enough to add more width to this one, and since the fabric is striped, the seam can be placed at the edge of a stripe and will be practically invisible.

First up, a Christmas table runner from a pattern I've had for a number of years. The pattern is called "Snowman for Hire Table Runner" from Primitive Gatherings. Progress goes quickly on this one.

Second, a Christmas ornament pattern I purchased last year called "Olde Saint Nicholas" from Jerome Thomas Designs. I have cut all the pieces but won't start stitching until the table runner is done.

Thirdly, a pillow pattern I bought probably five years ago. It's called "Gifts of the Season" by Jerome Thomas Designs. These wool pieces are all cut out as well and the project is in queue for after the ornament is finished.

Fourthly, I've decided to take the four unfinished crazy quilt blocks I started a few years ago and finish them, sew them together and make a large pillow from them. There's a bit more embroidery I'd like to do on two of them, but this pillow should be finished this fall as well.

Besides those projects, I'm spinning quite a bit in preparation for a 10am - 3pm demonstration I will be doing next weekend at a nearby town's fête. I'll have my great wheel, my castle wheel, my kick wheel, a few spindles, and my Indian charka for spinning cotton. I've never done a stint like this before; it should be fun.

Finally, I'm working on the pump organ, aiming to get it put back together before the holidays.

Before cleaning the stop works and top of the reed chamber (ugh)...

After cleaning (much better)...

HAPPY AUTUMN!

Making Valances for the Living Room

One of the projects I wanted to get to after the quilt top was done is new valances for the living room windows; three of them. The windows in my house are not standard size, they are squat and wide at 44.5" wide by ~41" tall, measuring from outer edges of trim. There's a bit more than a foot of wall space above the windows, and in the living room there are beams above that, abutting the ceiling. To give the illusion that my windows are taller, I've been meaning to make valances that hang from the bottom of the beams to just below the tops of the windows. Adhered to mounting boards with hook and loop tape, the effect should be clean and effective. The mounting boards can be screwed to the underside of the beams.

Mounting board in place with hook and loop tape stapled to the edge

A few weeks ago I went shopping and found a suitable fabric of good weight, on sale for $5/yard. Four yards gave me enough for the three windows plus a new curtain for the bird room window. Getting all matchy-matchy. I also found some gold fringe on clearance--to add just a bit of bling to the bottoms of the valances. All-in-all, not a big expense.

The mounting boards protrude 3" from the wall so I sewed a 3" border onto each side of the valances. Since I don't have a serger, the seams were done in the French style, except for where the seams fall within the hems; they were simply butterfly pressed open.

The spot where the top and bottom hems meet the French seam were simply clipped almost to the sewing line so they could be pressed open. I sewed double hems for top, bottom, and sides by hand, using chevron stitch.

Then I sewed the fringe to the bottom edge and hook and loop tape to the top edge (before turning the hem) using the 1940s White Rotary machine.

The above picture is the first valance I made, and I sewed the hook and loop tape in the wrong place. It was supposed to be at the very top edge. Next time I'm in the shop I'll get more hook and loop tape and re-do this one, but it's OK for now.

The effect is just what I wanted.

You can see how this one is sitting a little too high because the hook and loop tape is in the wrong place.

I like them so much, and I found an eight yard bolt of fabric at the thrift shop the other day, so now I'm making 2 valances for the dining room as well. $15 for 8 yards of good quality, heavy fabric, what a bargain!