My Latest Craft Project

I finally took my good ol' Singer "Genie" sewing machine in to be repaired. It's done yeoman's service since I received it as a wedding present from my parents lo, these thirty-plus years ago. However, the bobbin winder broke, so I was hand-winding the bobbins which, believe me, is no treat. I did investigate getting a new machine. The only stitches I use, however, are a straight stitch, zig-zag and the stitch for knits and stretch fabrics, so I didn't need most of the bells and whistles that come with new machines. And the simpler, cheaper versions didn't seem heavy-duty enough to last very long. So I looked, and found, a place that would repair my Genie. It cost about as much as a cheaper new machine, but I'm very happy I did that. I now have a very good, lightweight but substantial, sewing machine that works like buttah. And it's even got a new bulb. (True story: the young lady at the shop said, "And we'll give you a new light bulb." Me: "There's a light?" Yep, it's been burned out so long, I forgot it existed.)

The store that did the repairs also sews quilting fabric. On my first visit, to drop off my machine, I noticed this panel of fabric:



It's by Michael Miller Fabrics, and the pattern is called Transportation. I didn't buy it then, but I kept thinking how neat and retro it was, and I thought it might make cute cushions for the cottage. So when I went back to pick up my machine, I bought the panel.

Then, score! I found cushions for less than $2 each at Ikea and my local fabric store was having a sale and I got wide red twill for about $4 a meter. I thought of going with the blue, but it's not exactly a navy, so went with the red instead.

And voila! I've got cushions! Here is the first one:




Won't this look swell on the child's rocker I found at the antique store?
I'm using the small blocks of vehicles in groups of four, banded by red twill, for one cushion, too.

I just love it when I take a gamble on a project and it turns out great! Mind you, like my writing, I had to make a few revisions before I figured out exactly what to do and what measurements to use. But that's the way I roll.